How can you use iMessage without cellular data

With an android cell, I didn’t need a data plan to send a text message and it was free. Why in the world did Iphone make me have to turn cellular data on in order to reply or send messages if I am not home with my WiFi? It was a lot easier when I was android and the sender was Iphone(most the time unless it was multimedia). I’m always afraid something on my cell will go crazy with data so I keep it off unless I need it. Will one method eventually win over the other like VCRS and Beta went through?

If others have this problem, the issue isn't sending text messages from iMessage, it's receiving them back as text messages from iPhone users. 99% of the time, I am not on cellular or Wi-Fi, so iMessages are worthless to me. My only choice was to de-register my phone number from iMessage. https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage/

This is a well-known issue for Android users who switch to iPhones; if it doesn't get fixed, I may have to go back.

iMessage is an internet messaging service. You need an internet connection which can be cellular or wifi.

You need to reread what has been posted. Text messages (SMS) use the voice side channel, and do not require cellular data or Wi-Fi. However, MMS (picture messages) DO require cellular data (not Wi-Fi) on all phones from any manufacturer or any operating system, even basic flip phones. iMessages only work between iPhones, and can use either Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Be connected to wi-fi when you send a message.

Roadrunner1415 wrote:

How you use it without been connected to any WiFi

Then you'd need cellular data.

In other words, in order to use iMessages you need an active data connection, either WiFi or cellular.

SMS messages, on the other hand, do not require data, just a standard cellular voice connection.

Yes, any internet messaging service is pointless if you are never connected to the internet.

If all you ever have is a cellular telephone voice connection, then stick with SMS only, as that’s all you really can use.

You need to have some sort of data connection to send a message. You can use cellular, wi-fi, or hotspot from another phone’s data connection.

anypats wrote:

. Nevermimd. I was wrong.

I'd say incomplete rather than completely wrong. 😉