force sending text message instead of imessage in ios8

I am using an IPhone 6 running IOS 8.1.3 and came across this problem. My iPhone was sending my messages in imessage but I didn't want it to so I went into settings and turned it off. After turning it off in settings I tried to send a message in a conversation that I had previously being using imessage for.

Because I was using imessage I kept getting an error that I was not connected to imessage or something so I deleted the imessages that I had sent from the conversation not all of them just the last ones sent and it then allowed me to send normal messages again hope this helps you if your having the same problem 🙂

P.S. sorry for the bad spelling and grammar 😝

Another solution is to:

1. put the phone into Airplane mode (swipe up from the bottom and click the picture of the airplane)

2. send the text (it will fail because Airplane mode blocks all communication to and from your phone)

3. tap and hold the failed iMessage and select 'send as text' (this will fail too but it's ok)

4. turn off Airplane mode (swipe up from the bottom and click the picture of the airplane again)

5. your sms message will now be sent.

It smells like Apple is in league with the carriers to drain our data plans by forcing iMessage.

this worked for me - thank you!

In iOS 8, type your message, send it, yes, in iMessage don't go fussing trying to disable or change anything use it as normal, we will "fix this" after iOS queue it to be delivered (i.e. show up in a blue bubble).

Once your message show up in a blue bubble, tap and hold for a second (as if you wanted to copy) on the message that is not yet delivered. In the option that will show up, you will have the possibility to send as SMS. Once you select it, the bubble will change color to green, indicating it was sent by SMS (text under it will say that).

This trick will be available for all un-delivered iMessages.

all these solutions are ridiculous, what you are saying is that if I want to send an SMS, I have to turn wi-fi and mobile data off every time?

why did I spend so much money on a phone that can't send text messages?

Since you do not indicate what your problem is, then the best I can say is that the iPhone has no problem sending SMS messages. The discussion you have attached to here has to do with people attempting to send SMS to another iOS device when iMessage has been activated. The ability to quickly change to SMS from iMessage has changed in iOS8.x. For some reason, many people that have limited data access have activated iMessage, which causes issues for them, due to their lack of data coverage. Because of that, they have issues using SMS. They just have to permanently deactivate iMessage and they can use SMS. The iPhone is fully capable of sending SMS.

Sorry, I should have explained. I turned off iMessage and FaceTime a few months ago. Usually when I send a message, it sends as an SMS just fine but occasionally with some contacts it doesn't work and I get the message "iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message" I then need to turn wi-fi and mobile data off to be able send the message.

I Would prefer a phone which would just send SMS messages without that hassle

Then you need to make sure that your iMessage is completely disabled. You can use this link for that. https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage

The problem with some contacts could also be that they do not have SMS provisioned on their accounts and exclusively use iMessage. You may have to delete any conversation thread you have with them and start over to remove any reference in their account with your iMessage.

Thanks Chris but I have tried all that and much more, I even did a complete reset via iTunes a few days ago, there simply is no way to fix the problem.

A complete reset, or a restore. There is a difference. And if a restore, a restore from backup, or restore as new. A restore as backup will bring back any and all data on the original device, which would include any reference to iMessage with other contacts. A restore as new, without additional content, and not activating iMessage would give you a clear indication.

I understand your frustration, but iMessage was designed to eliminate the many issues that existed with SMS, since many users, at least especially in the US, were being charged by cellular providers for incoming and outgoing SMS messages. That has changed, but iMessage still exists. The other thing people like about iMessage is the fact is not as traceable as SMS, since it works like regular data exchange.

You can provide feedback to Apple if you would like to see some other changes to iMessage by clicking HERE, and then selecting the appropriate subject area. Good luck.

Thanks again Chris, yes it was a restore from back up. Here in Australia, SMS is usually unlimited but data is slow and expensive so we don't generally want iMessage activated. I don't want to sound like i'm bashing Apple, overall my iPhone (six plus) has been fantastic.

I'm not considering it a bash, I just wanted you to understand the iPhone does SMS, and there really isn't any settings for it on the phone, since that is a carrier function. Again, location makes a difference. The cellular providers in the US were taking advantage of users with SMS messaging, and they usually charge both incoming and outgoing. Again, it is changing, but with the privacy issues nowadays, users are still embracing iMessage because of its anonymity. Heck, with phone calls, we pay incoming and outgoing as well. While that is changing now, since the carriers are starting to offer more unlimited calling plans, there are still many that do not. I know in Europe, if you don't make the call, you don't pay. Want to hear another good one, if you do a conference call, you pay for each connection, so a 3 way call for 5 minutes would cost you 15 minutes of airtime! I'm glad you enjoy your device, and goodnight. After midnight here.

This solution by Eric is the correct solution. All the other work arounds are unnecessary.

This is the best / quickest option, thank you for suggesting it. However, it's still a pain and you have to be aware of whether or not the person you are trying to contact doesn't have wifi. Come on Apple, find a fix to this so the message reverts to SMS automatically if the receiver's phone is not connected to wifi!!

I don't get this option when I press the blue bubble? Is it a setting somewhere?