iMessages are texts, photos or videos that you can send to another iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac over Wi-Fi or cellular data networks. These messages will always be encrypted and appear in blue text bubbles. To turn iMessage on or off, go to Settings > Messages.
Without a data connection or WiFi, iMessage does not work. So, when an iPhone user has to send a text to another iPhone user, he/she can use either iMessage or text messages. But when a message has to be sent to a person using an Android phone, an iPhone user has to use the SMS service.
Like text messaging, iMessage allows Apple users to send text, video, stickers, images, location data, and other information to other Apple users. Unlike traditional text messages, iMessages are delivered via Apple's proprietary servers rather than regular cell towers.
Are iMessages secure? You send iMessages through Apple's servers rather than regular cell towers. As a result, iMessages are end-to-end encrypted. This means that, unlike SMS messaging, where your cellular provider can read your messages, Apple cannot.
Why should you turn off iMessage? If you switch from iPhone to Android, you must turn off iMessage. Otherwise, texts from your iPhone friends won't be delivered to your new phone since your number is still registered on iMessage. You will have to create a new group chat with your iPhone friends on your Android phone.
If I turn off iMessages can I still receive an iMessage? You cannot receive iMessages if it is not enabled. iMessages is an Apple app that works over WiFi. If you turn it off, you can't send or receive iMessages.
Can I still receive messages if I turn off iMessage? If you turn off iMessage on your phone, you will not receive that text.
iMessage is a free and secure messaging app that you can use on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac laptop.
iMessage users will show a blue iMessage icon alongside their name.
If your iPhone messages are green, it means they're being sent as SMS texts rather than iMessages. You'll always see green when texting Android users, or when you're not connected to the internet.
There is no Apple-supported iMessage for PC or iMessage for Android. Another key reason to avoid using iMessage as a team communication tool is the difficulty in distinguishing between personal and work-related messages and group chats.
iMessage is end-to-end encrypted. The phone number or email address you use is shown to the people you contact, and you can choose to share your name and photo. Apple retains limited information about the use of iMessage, such as whether your device is eligible to use iMessage, for up to 30 days.
Blue texts are texts, photos, or videos that you send over iMessage. These texts are sent and received over Wi-Fi or cellular data. Due to that, they won't count against your text messaging plan if you have one for your phone. Rather, it counts against your data plan or how much data you have monthly.
On an iPhone, Apple's Messages app lets you know if your recipient has read your message — but the sender and recipient must be using iMessages on an iPhone or iPad, too, and have read receipts enabled.
However, iMessage does provide you an option to see if someone is typing on iMessages, but you won't be able to know what they are typing until they send you the message.
Contacts Only: Your iMessage profile will be automatically shared with people in your Contacts the next time you send an iMessage in the Messages app. Always Ask: You will get prompted before your iMessage profile photo and display name are shared with anyone you message through the iMessage protocol (the blue bubble).
It's free as long as you disable cellular data and send only via WiFi (assuming you're not paying for WiFi). If sending via cell data, standard data charges apply - there is no "message fee" like SMS.
They only work when you have an Internet connection. To send iMessages, you need a data plan, or you can send them over WiFi. If you use WiFi, there's no cost, but if you use your cellphone's data, it's deducted from your data plan. Sending pictures or videos over iMessage can use a lot of data very quickly.
By default, they expire after two minutes of sending or listening to them, not to be heard again. This might be fine for some but not for others. If you fall into the “others” category and want to hang onto those clips, here's how to stop audio messages from expiring in the Messages app on iPhone and iPad.
On your iPhone, go to Settings. Tap Messages. Set iMessage to Off.
The recipient is using a non-Apple device: If you're sending a message to an Android phone, a Windows phone, or any non-Apple device, the message will be sent as an SMS/MMS because iMessage is exclusive to Apple devices. 4.
If you see a green message bubble instead of a blue one, then that message was sent using MMS/SMS instead of iMessage. There are several reasons for this: The person that you sent the message to doesn't have an Apple device. iMessage is turned off on your device or on your recipient's device.
Instead, a green text message on an iPhone is an SMS message that has been delivered to a phone that is not an iPhone or Apple device (ie. an Android). A green message can also mean that you aren't connected to the internet or that your iMessage is turned off in settings.
Your old messages remain blue, but the latest texts you send after they've blocked you turn green. However, the bubble colors aren't accurate clues. They could mean the recipient turned off their phone, gone offline, or switched from iOS to Android.