topic texting not working without wifi in Get Support

texting not working without wifi

amclennan — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 11:31:43 GMT

Hi there,

I just changed to a new phone and sim card (lost the old one) but kept my old plan (unltd talk and international text; no data). Texting worked properly on the old phone (iphone SE) - no issues.

With this new phone (iphone 6S) - I can make phone calls on or off wifi. I can send and receive texts and imessages when connected to wifi but I can't send or receive any if I'm off wifi. They come through once I'm back in a wifi zone.

I've reset network settings and confirmed APN setting is correct (although I'm not even sure this is necessary when not on a data plan).

I can't find any other suggestions in Community to try. Any help would be appreciated!

Thank you,

Andrea

Re: texting not working without wifi

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 23:12:20 GMT

@amclennanI think there is some sort of setting on iPhones that routes text messages through iMessage(when sending to another iPhone)? Also, have you tried sending to non iPhone contact?

Re: texting not working without wifi

computergeek541 — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 23:13:21 GMT

@amclennan wrote:
Hi there,

I just changed to a new phone and sim card (lost the old one) but kept my old plan (unltd talk and international text; no data). Texting worked properly on the old phone (iphone SE) - no issues.
With this new phone (iphone 6S) - I can make phone calls on or off wifi. I can send and receive texts and imessages when connected to wifi but I can't send or receive any if I'm off wifi. They come through once I'm back in a wifi zone.
I've reset network settings and confirmed APN setting is correct (although I'm not even sure this is necessary when not on a data plan).
I can't find any other suggestions in Community to try. Any help would be appreciated!
Thank you,
Andrea

SMS text messages don't actually use Wi-Fi. What Apple does do though is some type of conversion into some type of internet-based instant message, and then delivers it to the appropriate place. I'm not sure why someone would actually want to do this, but one advantage would be that you can send text messages to other iPhone users even if you aren't connected to the cellular network.

This sounds to me to be an issue with the iMessage settings. You'll want to make sure that you either disable it completely, or make sure that it's set to send messages through the standard celluar SMS protocol (doesn't require any data) whenever there is no internet connection.

Re: texting not working without wifi

Andrewbs — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 23:13:47 GMT

Have you Tried to power cycle your phone and check to reconnect to network? its possible it may of fell off when you switched out

Re: texting not working without wifi

Dunkman — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 23:16:43 GMT

@amclennan

It likely an issue with the settings for iMessage. See below:

imessage can sent to/from Apple ID or a phone number. To do what you described you should be using your phone number, not your Apple ID.

Go to Settings> Messages> Send & Receive

Your settings should be:

Can be reached by imessage at: Phone Number
Start new conversations from: Phone Number

Turn on Send as SMS

Go to Settings> Messages

Re: texting not working without wifi

Luddite — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 00:15:17 GMT

@amclennan Turn cellular data and roaming ON. That will allow MMS messaging to non-iphones. There will be no data charges.

Turn Messages & Facetime OFF, and back ON in 5 minutes. This will force a reset ov Apple serviers to your new phone.

Correct setup for messaging: Settings >> Messages >> iMessage ON, Send as SMS ON, MMS ON >> Send & Receive should show your phone # and Apple ID email.

Re: texting not working without wifi

Crash2 — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 00:25:30 GMT

-*-*-*I recommend contacting the Moderator team which is actually Public Mobile support just click here to private message a Moderator - Just to set expectations it usually takes 24-48 hours for them to respond-*-*-*-