inquizit04

Q: want to send sms not iMessage in iOS 9

I want to send SMS messages NOT  iMessages for only a few specific phone numbers that are affiliated with an iPhone 6s and iOS 9 (on recipients end).

 

Background:

My teenage children are "Data hogs." With the use of aps considered annoying by most parents of teens such as snapchat, my children burn through the shared account allowance long before the month is over. Upgrading my plan is an insufficient and inappropriate solution. My carrier is AT&T which allows me to turn off the child's  cellular data access (this is good). (Removing my children's access to cellular data is also something I can take away for disciplinary purposes and one of the few things they value.)

 

Problem:

I am unable to send text messages (SMS) to my child from my phone (iPhone 6+, iOS 9.4) when I shut down their cellular data access.

 

Question:

How do make texts to this child go via SMS with out having an effect on any other contacts?

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9.3.4

Posted on Aug 19, 2016 1:17 PM

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Q: want to send sms not iMessage in iOS 9

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  • by irina_w,

    irina_w irina_w Aug 20, 2016 8:02 AM in response to inquizit04
    Community Specialists
    Aug 20, 2016 8:02 AM in response to inquizit04

    Greetings inquizit04, 

     

    Thanks for your post. It sounds like you want to know how to send messages to your child when you have disabled their cellular data. I certainly see the concern. I know that it’s important to be able to stay in contact with them while keeping your data under control. I’ll be happy to help.

     

    You can force an iMessage to go through as a SMS when the iMessage is not delivered as described in this article: If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

    If you see a red exclamation point

    If you try to send a message and you see  Exclamation mark icon with an alert saying Not Delivered, follow these steps:

    1. Tap  Exclamation mark icon, then tap Try Again.
    2. If you still can’t send the message, tap  Exclamation mark icon, then tap Send as Text Message. Messaging rates might apply. Contact your carrier for more information.

    Also you can go into Settings > Messages > and turn on Send as SMS. This will automatically send your iMessage as a SMS message when the message is not delivered.

     

    Take care!

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Aug 20, 2016 8:08 AM in response to inquizit04
    Level 9 (58,834 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 20, 2016 8:08 AM in response to inquizit04

    Although, in theory, an iPhone should switch to receiving SMS when data is turned off, in practice, it doesn't work as well as it should. You should have your children sign out of iMessage on their phones and use SMS exclusively. I'm guessing that AT&T, like most carriers, has unlimited SMS for most plans. Note: it may take about 24 hours for Apple's system to recognize that the children's iPhones have been logged out of iMessage.