(7 Fixes) iMessage Sent As Text Message [Updated 2023]

iMessaging is much more convenient than texting.

You can send images with ease.

And even play games with your friends while chatting.

So, when your they start being replaced by text messages…

It can be pretty annoying.

But don’t worry. I’ll help you fix this problem in minutes.

Continue reading to find out:

How to check if iMessage’s system is down.
7 simple ways to fix iMessages that send as text messages.
The most common reasons your iMessages are sending as texts.
And this is just the beginning…

iMessage sent as text message – causes

#1: Messaging a non-iOS user

If you’ve never exchanged iMessages with a recipient before…

Then, they most likely don’t own an iOS device as you do.

See, the iMessage feature is only available for Apple gadgets.

So, when you chat with someone who’s using an Android device…

Your iMessage will automatically turn into a text.

#2: No Internet connection

Let’s say all of a sudden…

Your chat bubbles turn green instead of remaining blue.

Well, this scenario usually happens when you lose Internet access.

So, you may have turned OFF your device’s WiFi or cellular data.

Or your network speed could’ve significantly slowed down. Hence, your phone automatically switched to SMS texts that don’t require the Internet.

#3: Your recipient’s iMessage is OFF

If your contact is an iOS user, but their iMessage feature is OFF…

Your messages will also automatically send as texts by default.

#4: iMessage is down

iMessage’s system sometimes fails.

Or the service undergoes scheduled maintenance.

When either of these happens…

Most, if not all, iOS users’ iMessages experience some sort of problem.

For example:

Your iMessages may stop syncing on your Mac or other Apple gadgets.

Or your chats may also send as texts even if you have access to the Internet.

#5: Your iMessage is OFF

iMessage is your iPhone’s default way of communication.

But you may still turn this feature OFF in the settings if you wish to.

That said, if you’ve disabled your iMessage…

All of your messages will send as texts.

#6: Wrong contact information

iOS users can set up iMessage using their Apple ID or phone number.

And you’re free to choose if you want to use both or just one.

Now, let’s say you’re sending a message to your recipient using their number.

However, their iMessage is set up using their Apple ID.

Well, in this case…

Your messages would automatically send as texts. Because you’re not using the correct details to send iMessages to your recipient.

#7: Your device or iMessage is glitching

Sometimes, your iMessage feature would also stop working when:

Your phone is glitching.
The iMessage feature is lagging.

These scenarios usually happen if your iOS device is out of date. Or if you haven’t restarted your phone for too long.

iMessage sent as text message – 7 fixes

#1: Try sending to several recipients

Before proceeding to the other fixes below…

Ensure that there’s indeed something wrong with your device’s iMessage app.

See, when your chat bubbles turn green instead of remaining blue…

It’s not always caused by a problem on your iPhone.

As stated earlier…

Sometimes, the person you’re trying to chat with is simply an Android user.

So, by default, they can only receive your messages through texting.

1 easy way to check if this is the case is to…

Send messages to several people (at least 3).

Pro tip: Contact recipients you’ve already exchanged iMessages with before. This way, you know for sure that they own an iOS device.

Now, if at least 1 of your messages sends as a blue chat bubble…

That means your iMessaging feature works perfectly fine.

However, some of your chats are sent as text messages because your recipient:

Is using an Android phone.
Turned OFF their iMessaging feature.
Changed their iMessage system setup.

For the first 2 scenarios…

No fixes from your end will allow you to send iMessages to that person.

But if your recipient simply changed their iMessage details…

The bonus fix at the end of the article can help you. So skip to that portion if only one or some of your contacts can’t receive iMessages.

However, if all the chats you’ve sent turned into texts…

Proceed to the next solution. Because there’s something wrong with your iMessage system or device.

#2: Check if iMessage’s system is down

As mentioned earlier…

iMessage’s servers can stop working due to ongoing maintenance or issues.

But luckily, it’s pretty easy to check if this is the problem.

Just follow these steps to…

Check iMessage’s server status:

Step 1: Go to Apple’s general service status page

Open your PC or phone’s browser.

Then, head to this website: apple.com/support/systemstatus.

Step 2: Find iMessage

Apple’s services are listed in alphabetical order.

So, just scroll down until you find “iMessage.”

Step 3: Check the text beside it

If you see the word “Available” or a green circle…

That means iMessage’s servers are currently up and running.

So, you should proceed to the next fixes.

However, if you see other texts or a red dot beside the service…

iMessage is currently down.

That said, you should simply wait for Apple to stop the problem.

#3: Ensure that your iMessage is enabled

You may have accidentally turned OFF this feature.

So, for this fix, you should…

Enable iMessaging on your iPhone:

Turn ON your device.
Launch its Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Messages.
Find the iMessage option.
Turn ON the toggle button beside it.

Here’s a video you can use as a visual guide for this process:

Pro tip: If your iMessage feature is already ON, switch the toggle OFF. Then, turn it ON again to give the system a little refresh instead.

#4: Restart your phone

Your device may be glitching, causing this issue.

So to give your gadget a little reset, here’s how you can…

Restart your iPhone:

iPhone X and later

Locate the Power and Volume Up keys on your gadget.
Long press both buttons simultaneously.
Let go when a power slider appears on your screen.
Drag it to the right.
Wait for 30 seconds.
Turn ON your phone again by long pressing the power button.
Wait for your device to light up.

iPhone 6,7,8 and SE models

Press and hold your phone’s power button.
Wait for the power slider to show up.
Slide it to the right.
Wait for 30 seconds.
Press and hold your device’s power button to turn it ON.

Once you’ve restarted your device…

Check if your iMessages are still sending as texts.

And if the problem persists…

#5: Check your Internet connection

You may use WiFi or cellular data to send iMessages.

But regardless of how you connect your device to the Internet…

You should ensure that your network is fast enough to sustain this feature.

Now, there isn’t an official Internet speed requirement for iMessage.

However, based on experience…

Your network should at least have 3 Mbps of upload speed to use this feature.

Because if your Internet is slower than this, problems start to arise in the iMessage app.

That said…

Follow these steps to check your Internet speed:

Connect your phone to the WiFi or turn ON its data.
Open up its browser.
Head to this website: speedtest.net.
Click the GO button in the middle of the page.
Wait for your network’s upload speed results.

Did you get 3 Mbps or higher?

If so, your Internet isn’t causing this problem. So, skip to the next solution.

However, if your results couldn’t meet the minimum network speed requirement…

Your slow Internet is causing this iMessage issue.

So, you should focus on improving your network speed.

Now, you may ask your Internet Service Provider for assistance with this fix.

Because the company can offer to:

Replace your router or its antennas.
Make you upgrade to a faster Internet plan.

However, if you want to improve your WiFi’s network speed in just minutes…

I got you. Here are…

3 proven tips to make your Internet faster (WiFi only):

#1: Place your WiFi source in a high location

Your router also emits signals from its bottom. Not just its sides.

So, place it in a higher position to maximize your phone’s WiFi connection.

#2: Limit the devices using your WiFi to 10

This way, all your gadgets, including your phone, will get a stable connection.

#3: Place your router away from metal

This material can kill WiFi signals.

So, place your router as far away from metal as possible.

Editor’s pick: Is 15 Mbps Fast? How Many Devices Can It Handle?

#6: Turn OFF the Send as SMS feature

If you still can’t send iMessages…

It’s time to force your phone to use this feature.

See, when you give your device the freedom to choose between iMessage and SMS texts…

Your phone might favor the latter.

Especially if you’re in an area where the Internet sometimes becomes unstable.

Luckily though…

You can turn OFF the text messaging feature completely. So your phone has no choice but to use iMessage. Just follow these…

Steps to deactivate your iPhone’s SMS:

Go to the Settings app.
Select Messages.
Scroll down and locate the Send as SMS tab.
Switch OFF the toggle button beside it.

Now, ensure you’re still connected to the Internet.

Then, try sending messages to your recipient again.

Note: Your chat boxes will either send or fail to go through.

If you get the latter result…

#7: Change your iMessage information

As I said earlier, you may use any of these 2 to set up your iMessage:

Apple ID.
Your phone number.

Now, both of these work efficiently.

However, sometimes…

Your information on 1 of them may be glitching or corrupted.

And this causes problems on your iMessage app.

Luckily though, anytime, you can…

Change how you want to send iMessages:

Turn ON your phone.
Go to its Settings.
Tap the Messages option.
Choose the Send & Receive bar.

Now, observe where you see the check mark on your screen.

And proceed accordingly by following further instructions depending if there’s a…

Check mark beside your phone number

Click your Apple ID (sign in if it’s required).
Tap your phone number to remove its check mark.
Confirm the action by pressing Remove on the pop-up window.

Check mark on the left side of your Apple ID

Tap your phone number.
Remove the check mark beside your Apple ID by tapping it.

At this point, you’ve successfully switched how you send and receive iMessages.

So, simply restart your phone to save the changes you’ve made.

Then, check if your iMessages aren’t turning to SMS chats now.

Bonus: Ensure your recipient’s details are correct

“I could send iMessages to my friend last time. But now all my chats are sent as SMS.”

Well, that sounds exactly like what happened to me months ago.

See, my friend never turned OFF her iMessage.

But all of a sudden…

My chat bubbles for her were sent as texts instead.

At first, I thought a very serious problem was happening to my device.

But as it turned out…

I simply wasn’t using my friend’s updated details.

Back then, she changed her iMessaging setup. Similar to the process you did in the previous fix.

And long story short:

I only had her number saved in my phone. However, she switched her iMessage app to use her Apple ID to receive messages.

If you’re in the same scenario…

Don’t worry.

Fixing this problem was a breeze. And I’ll teach you exactly what I did.

Before you do so, though…

Text the person you want to send iMessages to. Then, ask for their Apple ID or phone number (whichever one you don’t have).

And once you have the necessary information…

Here’s how you can update your contact’s details:

Go to your phone’s home screen.
Click the Phone icon at the bottom.
Choose Contacts from the lower options.
Tap the name of the person you can’t send iMessages to.
At the top-right corner of your screen, click Edit.
Add the new necessary details (Apple ID or phone number).
Select Done at the top of your screen.

Now, try sending iMessages to your recipient again.