If you’re an Apple device user, you probably use and love iMessage. Not even the fact that you cannot use iMessage for cross-platform texting has dwindled its popularity, even if there are tonnes of alternatives available.
Ever since its launch more than a decade ago, iMessage has been a linchpin of the Apple ecosystem. But that doesn’t mean that all users have got it down to a tee. It’s only natural to wonder about its workings, especially if you’re new to the scene. And the most common question when it comes to iMessage is whether or not it works internationally.
Whether you’re wondering if you can text people who are not in the same country (or even the same continent) as you or if you can use it when you’re traveling abroad, we’ll put your mind at ease.
Sending an iMessage Internationally
No matter which country someone is in, you can send them iMessage for free of cost. As iMessage doesn’t work like SMS, the only charges you have to incur are the data charges. So, as long as you aren’t being exorbitantly charged for data or have access to Wi-Fi, you can safely send anyone an iMessage.
Of course, before sending the message, check for certain things to make sure that you sending an iMessage and not an SMS. The latter will surely rack up the bill for international messages.
If you’re starting a new conversation with someone, make sure their contact name, number, or email address appears in blue and not green. Remember, if a contact’s number is appearing in green but their email address is in blue, choose the latter to send the iMessage to.
If a conversation thread is already ongoing but they moved away, you should still make sure that they have iMessage turned on still. Before texting them, make sure it says ‘iMessage’ in the compose box or that the ‘Send’ arrow is blue if you’ve already started typing.
Using iMessage When Away
If you’re the one traveling abroad, you can still continue to use iMessage. But you need to be careful. Using iMessage on your cellular data without an international data pack can cost you dearly.
When you’re abroad, consider using iMessage only on Wi-Fi or getting an international data pack that won’t burn a hole in your pockets. But even when you’re traveling internationally, it doesn’t matter if you use your number or iCloud email address to send and receive messages. iMessage is free to use, no matter how you use it.
But if you’re activating iMessage for your number for the first time, your data carrier charges you for the SMS sent to activate it. So, if it isn’t already activated for your number, refrain from activating it when you’re away and use it with your email address only in the meantime.
Turn off ‘Send as SMS’
Whether you’re the one traveling internationally or you’re corresponding with someone who’s abroad, you need to be careful about one aspect of iMessage. When using your iPhone for sending an iMessage, it has a setting that sends an iMessage as an SMS when iMessage is unavailable.
So, if you are using iMessage internationally and disconnect from the internet, the message would go as an SMS. That could be disastrous for your bill.
So, open your iPhone settings. Then, scroll down to ‘Messages’ and tap it to open it.
Scroll down in the message settings and turn off the toggle for ‘Send as SMS’.
iMessage is a great tool available at the Apple user’s disposal. You can use it across your devices, and it stays synced, all thanks to iCloud.Your data is always safe with end-to-end encryption. iMessage is full of such wonderful features. And being able to use it internationally is certainly near the top.
Fear not!With a few simple steps and considerations, you can use iMessage to chat internationally without incurring additional charges. Let's delve into how to leverage iMessage for international communication without incurring additional charges.
Available on Apple, Android and Windows devices, Line is a free messenger and social media app that allows users to send texts, create group chats and make international voice and video calls.
Check your network connection. To send a message as iMessage or MMS, you need a cellular data or Wi-Fi connection. To send an SMS message, you need cellular network connection. If you turn on Wi-Fi Calling, you can send SMS messages over Wi-Fi.
No worries! Your number on iMessage remains the same even if you swap eSIMs. Your iMessage account is tied to your Apple ID and remains consistent, regardless of the SIM card or mobile number associated with your device. Feel free to switch eSIMs without any concerns about losing your iMessage identity.
No, cellular calls between iPhones are not free. If you use FaceTime between two iPhones, you do no use your cellular minutes, however, unless you are on a WiFi network, you will be using your cellular data.
To send a message as iMessage or MMS, you need a cellular data or Wi-Fi connection. To send an SMS message, you need cellular network connection. If you turn on Wi-Fi Calling, you can send SMS messages over Wi-Fi.
For SMS, most operators do not charge for receiving an SMS while roaming, in much the same way as there is usually no charge for receiving an SMS at home. How does SMS and data roaming work? SMS and data roaming build upon the same principles used to enable voice roaming.
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. iMessage is located in the default messages app on your iPhone.
Keep Airplane Mode on during your entire trip, and don't turn Airplane Mode off until you have returned home. BENEFITS: No data roaming charges, calling fees, or texting fees. But you can use Wi-Fi.
Security: One of the most significant differences between SMS and iMessage lies in security features. iMessage employs end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages are securely transmitted and can only be decrypted by the intended recipient.
iMessage sends messages over Wi-Fi or cellular data when Wi-Fi is unavailable, rather than through traditional SMS. This means, if you do not have a data plan and are not connected to Wi-Fi, you will incur pay-per-use data charges when using iMessage.
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.
Can you FaceTime internationally? Yes, FaceTime is free to use internationally and you won't be charged an extra international calling fee, because it works with data (WiFi or cellular data.)
It may also be helpful to reset your Network Settings. This would reset Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before. You can find that option under Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Apple's iMessage works over the internet, so if you don't have active data transmissions, you can't send or receive iMessages, just like you could not send or receive email messages. However, iMessage does function via Wi-Fi, so you can text with others who also have iPhones and iMessage, even while travelling!
You can check the country code of the phone number to see which country it belongs to. You can try to identify the language of the message and see if it matches the country or state of the sender.
You know that there are over a billion bytes in a GB. So, sending a text without any attachments like images, videos, Memojis and Animojis would only take a few KBs. Each character in an iMessage uses around 0.1 bytes, and as there are over a billion bytes in a GB, this amount doesn't really matter.
Accessibility: SMS is universally available across a wide range of mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets from various manufacturers. In contrast, iMessage is exclusive to Apple devices, limiting its accessibility to users within the Apple ecosystem.
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