Messages Sent From Apple Watch Go As Text Message, Not iMessage

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Level 1

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Messages Sent From Apple Watch Go As Text Message, Not iMessage

Often when I send a message directly from my Apple Watch, even if it's just single emoji, I find that it goes as a text message instead of an iMessage. It used to be that if I restarted my watch and my phone the problem would be resolved but only temporarily. This morning I restarted both and the issue recurred only a few minutes after. Is there anything I can do to fix this for good? I'm on an Apple Watch Series 3 Nike+ LTE running watchOS 4.3. I have an iPhone X running iOS 11.3.1. Thanks!

iPhone X, iOS 11.3

Posted on May 1, 2018 9:35 AM

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Answer 1

Branta_uk

Level 7

32,892 points

May 1, 2018 10:30 AM in response to vinceviloria

OK, question: Does the iPhone send correctly as iMessage - is the problem only the watch?

Hard Reset on the watch, press and hold both buttons until the Apple logo appears and the watch reboots. If that doesn’t work you might have to try the bigger hammer, Unpair then Re-pair.

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Answer 2

vinceviloria Author

Level 1

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May 7, 2018 8:55 PM in response to Branta_uk

I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long without restarting the watch to temporarily fix the issue. Looks like a re-pairing is what was needed, thanks fo true suggestion!

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Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,279 points

May 1, 2018 9:38 AM in response to vinceviloria

Is the watch paired to your iPhone? Are you communicating with an iOS device when you send this emoji? Do you have wi-fi and Bluetooth turned on for the iPhone? Do you have the iPhone nearby when you are sending this message? Does the Watch show that it is connected to wi-fi?

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Answer 4

vinceviloria Author

Level 1

12 points

May 1, 2018 9:40 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thanks for replying! The watch is paired to my iPhone. In the latest instance (as well as every other instance) I sent an emoji to an iPhone. Some of these users also own Apple Watches, if that matters. I also have Wi-fi and Bluetooth switched on on my iPhone.

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Answer 5

vinceviloria Author

Level 1

12 points

May 1, 2018 10:41 AM in response to Branta_uk

Correct, the iPhone sends correctly to the same recipients. The issue only occurs when sending directly from the watch. Rebooting the watch temporarily fixes it but at some point it always reverts to sending as text messages. I haven't tried re-pairing so perhaps that is the next step unless there is a setting I'm overlooking?

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Answer 6

Branta_uk

Level 7

32,892 points

May 7, 2018 8:54 PM in response to vinceviloria

Settings don't change themselves but they can get corrupted. I think a re-pair clean start would be a good step, unless your memory can link it to something you did which might change settings.

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Answer 7

Branta_uk

Level 7

32,892 points

May 1, 2018 9:42 AM in response to vinceviloria

Check the iMessage setting in your iPhone, there’s just a small chance it got zapped in the last iOS update or while you were troubleshooting. Settings/Messages/iMessage = On (green).

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Answer 8

vinceviloria Author

Level 1

12 points

May 1, 2018 9:44 AM in response to Branta_uk

Thanks, I just checked and it is indeed turned on. I also have "Send as SMS" switched off.

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Messages Sent From Apple Watch Go As Text Message, Not iMessage

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