iMessage free or not?

iMessages need an Internet connection - I.e. a data connection, be it wifi or cellular. If the service providing the data connection is free, then iMessages are free. If the service providing the data connection (again, be it cellular or wifi) is charging for access or use, the you will pay to use data over that network.

The iMessaging service itself is provided by Apple at no charge, but how you connect to it will determine if you pay a data charge to use it or not. If you are connecting over a cellular data connection and you pay for that cellular data service, then iMessage will cost you in terms of data use against your account with that cellular data provider.

SMS text are sent on the cellular voice channel. They do not need a data connection, neither cellular data nor wifi. They do, however require cellular voice service.

I stand corrected.

SMS* still uses "minutes" then? (are there any plans that have # of minutes left in the marketplace?)

* I still see 'footnotes' all over the place to the effect of " Cellular rates may apply " for SMS message "alerts" (RedBox comes to mind, but I have stopped getting 'em!)

At any "rate" (pun), these charges would be minuscule wouldn't they? Big MMS messages could not compare to any other data usage one encounters.

Muchas gracias, amigo, for the clarification of the chaos that still exists 😉

iMessage is free as long as the person about whom this question pertains is using WiFi. That's about all that can be generally said.

Again, the iMessage user will not be charged as long as he/she is using WiFi. There is nothing said here about the person at the other end of the send/receive, nor about what happens if a cellular carrier is involved.

ChitlinsCC wrote:

iMessage is data. So are SMS/MMS messages. Cellular data usage applies for both.

No, SMS does not use cellular data. It uses a part of the cellular voice channel. This is why it works on older phones that don't support data. Only iMessage and MMS require cellular data.

Some carriers charge per SMS message - depends entirely on the plan. I do have minute limits (with roll over of unused) but I have unlimited SMS so SMS counts neither against my plan minutes nor incurs any separate messaging charges. But even with my carrier (AT&T) it still varies widely by plan as to just what is charged separately, what counts against minutes, and what data limits apply. Most carriers over over a dozen class of plans, with variations in each class, so the only rule is, check your plan as to what is covered. I also get discountex monthly rates and lower data overage rates and some other oddities since my cell phone, Internet and TV are bundled into a single monthly billed service.

ChitlinsCC wrote:

Muchas gracias, amigo, for the clarification of the chaos that still exists 😉

Chaos is right for sure. And the carriers don't want simple, clear plans and options. Makes it harder for them to gouge their clients with surprize bills and overages, or "special" circumstances.

Apple does not charge for it. If you are using a supported carrier, and your account is properly provisioned for an iPhone, you should not be charged. If you are using an unsupported carrier, you may be charged for the international text messages used to activate iMessage and FaceTime.

iMessage is data. So are SMS/MMS messages. Cellular data usage applies for both.

I Think he meant Sending text aswell as photos is going to charge data when using iMessage

iMessage free or not?

The Activation IMassage Free Or Not?

The Activation iMessage Free Or Not?

That depends on your provider