iMessage Settings for travel

Question

Level 1

8 points

iMessage Settings for travel

I understand that iMessage is best used with a WIFI connection during international travel, but what if I want to use iMessage in a limited capacity when wifi is not available? Will iMessage work if I have cellular data turned ON, but have data roaming turned OFF? Or do I need data roaming on as well? I plan on just sending quick short texts to my travel companions, will save the picture sends until we have wifi but want to use iMessage on occasion when we are walking the streets in India!

thanks

iPhone 6, iOS 9.2, iMessage

Posted on Jan 4, 2016 6:55 PM

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Answer 1

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Jan 6, 2016 6:58 AM in response to ChiSteve

Hey ChiSteve,

I understand that you'd like to use your iPhone while traveling abroad and would like to be able to occasionally use Messages when outside the range of a Wi-Fi network. The article linked below provides information about using your iPhone abroad. For more information, you may need to contact your carrier.

iPhone and iPad: Using cellular networks while in another country
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201643

Regards!

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Answer 2

ChiSteve Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 7, 2016 3:16 PM in response to CarlAVII

Thanks Allen- that is a good start and best of direct info from Apple that I have seen regarding those settings. Still looking for those that have used iMessage while abroad and interested in their settings. I have purchased a basic international plan through ATT assuming even simple iMessages will take up a little bit of data when not in Wifi. Still not sure if messaging will work (while not in Wifi) with Cell Data ON but Data Roaming OFF, or if I need both on. But I will experiment upon landing. As recommended I will also turn off cell data usage tied to other apps. If anyone else has traveled internationally with a reliance on iMessage, I would be interested in hearing about it- thanks.

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Answer 3

Jan 10, 2016 9:37 AM in response to ChiSteve

ChiSteve wrote:

Will iMessage work if I have cellular data turned ON, but have data roaming turned OFF?

No, it will not work if you are roaming outside of your carrier's area. If data roaming is turned off and you are not connected to WiFi, you will not be able to send iMessages. SMS may work if you have international features enabled on your account by your carrier.

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Answer 4

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Jan 10, 2016 6:12 AM in response to ChiSteve

ChiSteve,

Glad to help, and I hope your trip goes well!

Cheers!

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