IOS 10 Force iMessage to send as Text Message

This might not be such a useful post, but I've actually forced iOS 10 to send an iMessage as a text message. I'm not sure exactly how I've accomplished this, but here is what I've done and eventually got it to work:

1) Type the message and press send as usual. The message goes out as an iMessage.

2) Double tap on the blue message bubble and the weird menu with hearts and thumbs up and down pops up (what's that about, by the way..?).

3) Activate one of the symbols. Doesn't appear to matter which one.

4) Here comes the more peculiar part; tap frantically on the message (or on the weird icon), sometimes it seems to work better if one also shakes the phone in frustration. Eventually, somehow, a menu pops up with the alternative "Send as SMS".

So, the functionality is obviously still there. It's just not as obvious how to find it as things used to be on the iPhone.

If anyone has figured out how step 4 is actually supposed to be achieved, feel free to correct me. :)

Yes, I found that it only works if the phone number is not linked to the apple id (as it is with a non-iPhone). At least it is still possible to text people who have an iPad at home and another brand cellphone on their way. It is really bad though that per default those people will receive messages sent from an Apple user on their iPad at home but not as SMS on their cellphone.

But Systerbjorn is right. Sometimes it is possible to get the option "send as sms". It is just not reliable or easy to do.

Once you hit send, immediately hold down the blue bubble message, then a menu pops up from below and select Send as Text Message.

The trick is if you are not fast enough, it will deliver as iMessage and once status the Delivered appear under the bubble, the option in the menu will be gone.

I was frustrated at first with the change. Then I found from somewhere on the long press with menu pops, only then I found out you have to long press it before the message is delivered.

Do you figure out that if a person hasn't internet coverage on iPhone could not be reached by a message if it has a an iPad at home?

All the messages will be delivered to the iPad next to me and I can't send messages to my wife at work because all the messages result delivered and there is no option to force an SMS.

If I turn on and off iMessage I will be reminded that my cell phone company will charge me for the activation SMS...

And for me is "international SMS" and it cost.

This does not work if the receiver has any Apple device where iMessage IS available (like, iPad is at home connected to internet).

I think the only way to still use SMS as a free choice is if the receiver has his cellphone number not linked to his Apple ID. in this case, the sender can either send an SMS to the receivers cellphone number or an iMessage to the receivers Apple ID.

OK, just tested. It works. The receiver has to switch off "iMessages". The sender will then have to send messages directly to the receivers phone number (not name or apple id in "contacts") and it will be sent as SMS.

After sending one message this way, there will be a new thread in messages app with an SMS conversation which will probably allow to send SMS even when the receiver switches "iMessages" on again (can't verify this).

Hope somebody finds a better solution.

I agree that this is an issue (iPhone). If you have a device on a service somewhere then the message is considered sent. If you live in an area where services are out due to extended power outages or towers down due to fires the 'send as SMS' feature is indispensable and needs to be an option that you can access at will rather than the historic semi convenient route (being aware of message colours and overriding or duplicate sending) or the non existent current situation.

I completely understand your frustration. I've had the same issues. After reading the other replies, I tried to fiddle with it again. I tested both ways. I sent an imessage, waitied and then I tried to send as a txt but I didn't get that option in the window of "Copy, Speak, More...". Then I typed the same message again and as soon as I tapped the send button, I immediately pressed and held the message and the option to send as a text message was display in the window of "Copy, Send as a txt, Speak, More..." and i got to send it as txt. Hope fully this will work for you to.

Very easy, just go and Enable option for that..

Go to the Settings on iPhone > Messages > Sends as SMS.

I urgently need this feature, too. When you need to send an urgent message, in case of an accident, I can not wait for 10 minutes to see, that iMessage did not send the message. This often happens if the receiver is in another country at this time and has deactivated data-roaming. If I switch of iMessage in preferences, then I can send a SMS but on all my iOS devices and all my Macs come Alerts which say, that a new Device has joined iMessage. I completely disabled Messages on the Macs but this Message comes with a regular Alert box. How can I switch this warnings completely off.

If anyone has any updates on this feature please post. I need it too. I regularly message people abroad and I always force send as SMS. I am EXTREMELY disappointed this feature was removed. I will be downgrading to iOS 9 soon.

yes! I AGREE TOO, is horrible they removed that feature! :/

IOS 10 is sucking pretty bad. Not liking it at all. The whole soft or hard touch things makes no sense. Plus it is now extremely frustrating trying to move/adjust the cursor in any type of message.

iOS should keep that function! I know lots of people need it, not a small group. When apple change their products, they should not remove some good functions.

Absolutely. This is a horrible change. Apple has replaced something useful and functional with one of the most annoying features ever. Are the programmers all 13 years old?