SMS instead of iMessage on Apple Watch Series 1

Question

Level 1

8 points

SMS instead of iMessage on Apple Watch Series 1

I just got the Apple Watch and haven't been able to figure out how to switch from iMessage to text in a conversation. Even when wifi/data is not turned on, it will send as an iMessage and I cannot make it switch to text and so I have to pull out my phone to send a text, which defeats the purpose of the watch. Does anyone know how I can switch between SMS and iMessage on the apple watch? All help is greatly appreciated, thank you!

Apple Watch, watchOS 3.1

Posted on Nov 1, 2016 12:32 PM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Nov 1, 2016 12:44 PM in response to Nazgoal

Hi

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > turn on Send as SMS.

Messages should then be sent as SMS / text messages when iMessage is unavailable.

If this feature is not working as expected, the following steps may help (check after each):

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > turn off iMessage > pause for a few moments > turn it back on.

Close the Watch app and then restart both your iPhone and your watch:

To close the Watch app on your iPhone, double-click the Home button, then swipe up on the Watch app preview.
Turn both devices off together, then restart your iPhone first:
- Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
- Restart your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Unpair and re-pair your watch:

The Watch app on your iPhone takes a backup of your watch automatically when unpairing via the app. Choose to Restore from Backup during set up. Most data and settings will be restored, with some exceptions (eg Apple Pay cards, passcode).
Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support
Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Nazgoal Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 1, 2016 1:02 PM in response to Jonathan UK

I have no problem switching to SMS on my phone, it is just on my watch that this is a problem. And the watches setting are set to mirror the ones on my iPhone. I just don't know how to manually send it as SMS

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Answer 3

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Nov 1, 2016 3:07 PM in response to Nazgoal

It is not possible to manually select to send an SMS.

If the feature is not working as expected, try the steps in my previous reply.

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