topic Re: Out of data but why can’t I text? in Get Support

Out of data but why can’t I text?

wilsonfamily — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 14:08:38 GMT

My plan is 2gb data on a 3g network. It’s up in two days but I’m out of data. Unless I’m in WiFi I cant send or receive a text. Why? My plan says unlimited text, picture messaging and calling. I understand not being able to use apps that need internet but why can’t I send a simple text!

Re: Out of data but why can’t I text?

DDM69 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 21:01:09 GMT

Using an iPhone?

Turn iMessage off

Re: Out of data but why can’t I text?

computergeek541 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 21:06:35 GMT

@wilsonfamily wrote:
My plan is 2gb data on a 3g network. It’s up in two days but I’m out of data. Unless I’m in WiFi I cant send or receive a text. Why? My plan says unlimited text, picture messaging and calling. I understand not being able to use apps that need internet but why can’t I send a simple text!

Text messaging doesn't use data or Wi-Fi, nor can it. Also, picture messaging (MMS) doesn't require you to have any data left on your plan. Along with iMessage that just mentioned in the previous message, Google's Chat feature could also requires an internet connection. Other apps that have messaging features (but that aren't usually actually doing text or picture messaging) inclues Whatsapp, Messenger, Viber, Skype, etc. Your plan includes unlimited SMS and MMS messages.

Re: Out of data but why can’t I text?

dust2dust — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 21:29:33 GMT

Using an iphone? In it's natural settings, it doesn't do texting (SMS). It does old timey instant messaging that needs the internet either by wifi or cellular data.

Re: Out of data but why can’t I text?

wilsonfamily — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 21:43:36 GMT

Yes it’s an iPhone 10? Or x or whatever they called it

Re: Out of data but why can’t I text?

softech — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 21:59:35 GMT

@wilsonfamily if you don't want to completely turn off izmessage, you can send via text on particular one by:

Tap and hold on the message you want to send as a text
From the pop-up menu, select “Send as Text Message”

Re: Out of data but why can’t I text?

dust2dust — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 22:01:21 GMT

So yes, in imessage settings, turn on send as sms and send as mms. You could opt to use the imessage app as a pure standard texting app by turning off imessage after those settings have been turned on. Then it won't go through Apple servers using instant messaging needing the internet. Good old plain old standard SMS and MMS.

Re: Out of data but why can’t I text?

BKNS27 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 22:02:17 GMT

@wilsonfamily

Check to see if Cellular Data is enabled for SMS/MMS texting to work. Go to Settings>Cellular>enable (turn on) Cellular Data.

Also check if SMS and MMS is enabled. Go to Settings>Messages>scroll down to Send as SMS and to MMS Messaging. See if they are both enabled.

Re: Out of data but why can’t I text?

popping — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 23:17:37 GMT

@wilsonfamily wrote:
Yes it’s an iPhone 10? Or x or whatever they called it

Your iPhone is using the iMessage app to send and receive message using Internet data connection - WiFi or mobile data. Since you ran out of mobile data, your SMS/MMS does not works.

SMS does not use internet data. SMS message is piggy back on the voice channel to send and receive message. iMessage uses it own message protocol to send and receive message. Default setting of iMessage app is disable the SMS/MMS message. Go to iPhone iMessage setting and enable the SMS/MMS setting so that it will using the voice channel to send/receive SMS/MMS.

Re: Out of data but why can’t I text?

CountyDownIeUk — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 01:49:36 GMT

iPhone needs data or wifi to iMessage.

iPhone can iMessage to other Apple products only

iPhone can iMessage to a “registered” iPhone number or email address.

IPhones must be set up to send and receive iMessages

iPhones can only text to an android phone or an Apple product with iMessage turned off.

Iphones, when texting, can only text to a phone number.

IMessage is blue bubble

Text is green bubble

Suggest you go into settings on iPhone and set messages to send/receive from your phone number only....even if you see registered email addresses.