HT204270: Get help if you can’t receive text messages from an iPhone

Learn about Get help if you can’t receive text messages from an iPhone
Cliff_Secord
Level 1 (4 points)
iPhone

Q: This is silly. You're telling me that since I don't have a data plan I can't receive texts from other iphones until I'm connected to a wi-fi??

Got a new iPhone, but I don't have a data plan.  Other iPhone users text me which sends as an imessage by default. Since I don't have a data plan that means I can't receive the text message until I connect to a wi-fi network because the sent message is an imessage and not an SMS! That's silly, Apple. How do I get around this without buying a data plan??

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iPhone 5, iOS 8.4

Posted on May 13, 2016 10:45 AM

by Phil0124,Solvedanswer
Phil0124 Phil0124
Level 7 (26,733 points)
iPhone
A:

You need to force your iPhone using contacts to send you SMS messages.   SMS messages go over the Voice service. I assume you are getting messages from non-Apple devices.  Your iPhone based contacts need to send you SMS messages instead of iMessages.

 

With that said, you can sign out of the iMessage service if you don't want to be getting iMessages anymore, and force everyone to send SMS.

 

However, your friends may not appreciate being charged for sending you messages over SMS, instead of the free iMessage alternative.

Posted on May 13, 2016 11:08 AM

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Cliff_Secord

Q: This is silly. You're telling me that since I don't have a data plan I can't receive texts from other iphones until I'm connected ... more

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  • Helpful answers

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim May 13, 2016 10:50 AM in response to Cliff_Secord
    Level 9 (54,814 points)
    iPhone
    May 13, 2016 10:50 AM in response to Cliff_Secord

    Either turn off iMessage or get a data plan. No supported carrier allows the use of an iPhone without a data plan.

    It's a smart phone. It is designed to be constantly connected to the Internet. If that isn't what you want, then get yourself an iPod Touch and a dumb phone instead.

  • by Phil0124,Solvedanswer

    Phil0124 Phil0124 May 13, 2016 11:08 AM in response to Cliff_Secord
    Level 7 (26,733 points)
    iPhone
    May 13, 2016 11:08 AM in response to Cliff_Secord

    You need to force your iPhone using contacts to send you SMS messages.   SMS messages go over the Voice service. I assume you are getting messages from non-Apple devices.  Your iPhone based contacts need to send you SMS messages instead of iMessages.

     

    With that said, you can sign out of the iMessage service if you don't want to be getting iMessages anymore, and force everyone to send SMS.

     

    However, your friends may not appreciate being charged for sending you messages over SMS, instead of the free iMessage alternative.

  • by Cliff_Secord,

    Cliff_Secord Cliff_Secord May 13, 2016 11:08 AM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    May 13, 2016 11:08 AM in response to Phil0124

    Thanks for the quick answer. Just a little frustrated with this feature. After all, service plans with unlimited text are half the cost of buying a plan with little data.

  • by LACAllen,

    LACAllen LACAllen May 13, 2016 3:57 PM in response to Cliff_Secord
    Level 5 (4,436 points)
    iCloud
    May 13, 2016 3:57 PM in response to Cliff_Secord

    True, but Apple sells the device, not the data. Your beef about cost is with the carriers.

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black May 13, 2016 4:26 PM in response to Cliff_Secord
    Level 7 (23,942 points)
    May 13, 2016 4:26 PM in response to Cliff_Secord

    Apple's iMessage is a free service, but by definition it is an Internet messageing service. It has nothing at all to do with the carrier who provides your cell phone service, so it's really not Apple's "fault" that you need an Internet data connection to use their free internet messaging service. The solution for you is simple - don't use iMessage.  Just rely on your voice service's SMS text service for all your texting and you will then be message-indepndent in terms of any need, ever, for any internet data connection.  But you can't really get justifiably upset when an Internet messaging service fails to work at those times you have no internet connection.