Have you ever sent a message to your friend or colleague, but instead of the usual blue text bubble, you’re greeted with green. This is because your iPhone has sent your message as an SMS over your mobile network, rather than iMessage on an internet connection.
Why would I want to send as a text message?
There are situations where it will be preferable to send a text as SMS and not via iMessage. If you want to text someone that is not connected to the internet, an iMessage will send but not deliver until the recipient turns on their connection. By forcing your phone to send as a text message, the recipient will be able to receive the message as long as they have a mobile network connection.
When traveling abroad, you may not have a data plan and therefore would have to pay large data roaming costs if you sent an iMessage. By selecting Settings > Messages > Turn off iMessage, this enables you to text and call abroad without worrying about a large data bill. If you’re looking to only use calls and texts abroad then you can benefit from a local SIM card and save when traveling.
Can I use iMessage abroad?
Yes! The great thing about iMessage and FaceTime is that they operate over an internet connection and therefore only need a WiFi or mobile data connection. To ensure that you only send via iMessage select Settings > Messages > Turn off Send as SMS. Please be aware that when messaging a non-Apple device, your phone will still send as SMS unless using a free internet messaging service such as WhatsApp. Here’s the great news… using mobile data abroad doesn’t have to result in expensive bills! An International Data SIM card combines both high speed mobile data worldwide with worry-free billing. Mobile data is now more popular than ever as it lets you communicate worldwide using iMessage, WhatsApp, Skype and FaceTime without having to pay roaming fees for calls and texts.
