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iPhone texting via WiFi domestic USA

I’m trying to force iphone texting via WiFi without success. In Europe my phone has no cellular service but thru iMessage can text Apple and non-Apple phones effortlessly via WiFi including pictures.

But absolutely cannot force messages with or without attachments to WiFi now. Messages hang or show sent without being sent, to iPhones or other. If I turn on cellular service they go immediately. Web search no help. Tried restarting and turning SMS on and off.

Posted by
9099 posts

Go to Settings, select Messages, turn on "Send as SMS"

I have had this problem when a regular contact switches from an Iphone to an Andriod, Apple can be very vindictive.

Posted by
4495 posts

Not sure if that solves the problem but we’ll see. Maybe the receiver needs certain settings also?

Personally dislike Apple, promotes a superficial understanding of tech and makes doing things in a way other than the OFFICIALLY APPROVED METHOD either convoluted or impossible.

Posted by
5239 posts

Personally dislike Apple, promotes a superficial understanding of tech and makes doing things in a way other than the OFFICIALLY APPROVED METHOD either convoluted or impossible.

Yes, that's why I switched to Android and have never looked back.

Posted by
32173 posts

"Personally dislike Apple, promotes a superficial understanding of tech and makes doing things in a way other than the OFFICIALLY APPROVED METHOD either convoluted or impossible."

Some people prefer the simplicity and ease of use provided by Apple devices. I've used other platforms but much prefer my Mac and iPhone. It rarely causes me any problems and I don't plan on using anything else. I don't care in the least about the "officially approved method". My Apple gear works perfectly every time and does what I want it to do without any issues.

Regarding the problem you described with sending texts or photos via WiFi in Europe, I've also had problems with that. Even though I now have access to cellular data, I often leave it switched off unless needed, so as not to exceed my data limit. With data off I've noticed that texts don't seem to send properly at times, although they appear to send. When I was using an old Motorola flip phone texts seemed to work every time.

On trips over the last few years, I've found that it helps to switch data "on" periodically during the day and I often receive texts that were sent many hours previously. I haven't yet figured out why this is occurring, but hope to narrow this down on a future trip.

Sent from my iPhone

Posted by
786 posts

Facebook Messenger also works well for communicating via wifi without using cell data. We relied on it exclusively this summer to stay in touch with my sons at home. Worked flawlessly.

Posted by
3985 posts

Tom_MN, take it to an iPhone store. if there isn't one near you, try the www.macrumors.com forum and ask there. They've helped us tremendously.

We use our iPhones overseas on Wifi-only as you described above and never have had problems using iMessage when we've returned so I hope your situation gets fixed soon.

Posted by
4495 posts

Yes, WhatsApp works perfectly as I like but getting Americans on board to a new app is difficult. I’m sure Facebook messenger works equally well.

Turning SMS on attachments now working for iPhones but not others.

Note that this is a domestic US problem, no problems occurred in Europe, that’s why it’s frustrating.

Posted by
5687 posts

I use Google Voice to text, and it should work anywhere (for texting) on WiFi, but you have to get a new Google Voice number, which will show up on texts you send to people. (Because I use my Google Voice phone number as my primary number, not an issue for me.) On the upside, you can text anyone with Google Voice - they can use whatever texting app their phone has built in, because you are texting to a phone number. They won't know you are using Google Voice. In fact, I send most texts to people from my laptop using Google Voice and no one has any idea.

I think MMS works with Google Voice - not sure, because I've never sent one - I don't text much. But nothing to lose by trying - Google Voice is free for American phone users. If it doesn't work for you, just uninstall it and forget the new phone number it gave you.

Posted by
2527 posts

WhatsApp works very well and most of the folks I contact frequently use it too.