Why doesn't imessage automatically switch to sms

Question

Level 1

12 points

Why doesn't imessage automatically switch to sms

When another person's iphone recognizes that the receiver's phone is currently not connected to wifi, and therefore can't receive an imessage, why doesn't the person's phone automatically sends the text as a sms instead of an imessage. The way the current system works is that if you have a conversation with someone through imessage, and suddenly, you have to turn off wifi, you will not receive any of the other person's texts until you turn on wifi again.

Posted on Jan 19, 2016 12:47 PM

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Answer 1

yellowdingo Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 19, 2016 5:07 PM in response to ZikzakCorp

I have no problem sending sms text message. My problem is receiving them when wifi is off, and the reason this happens is because the other iphone automatically sends the text as an imessage even when my wifi is off.

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Answer 2

ZikzakCorp

Level 4

1,089 points

Jan 19, 2016 2:36 PM in response to yellowdingo

Hi Yellowdingo,

iMessage is designed to send messages as SMS if Wifi or cellular data is not available. If that's not happening, then Send as SMS is probably disabled. Go to Settings > Messages > and make sure Send as SMS is on. Do the same on the receiving device. If both devices have Send as SMS turned on, then contact your carriers to make sure SMS is provisioned on your accounts.

This article might also be helpful: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204065

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Answer 3

ZikzakCorp

Level 4

1,089 points

Jan 20, 2016 2:51 PM in response to yellowdingo

That means the other person's phone has Send as SMS disabled or is having issues with SMS. Again, have the other user check to make sure Send as SMS is on. If so, the other user will need to check with their carrier to find out why SMS isn't working on their phone.

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