How to Send iMessage as SMS on iPhone 14

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This post will walk you through configuring the iOS 16 Messages app on the new iPhone to make it automatically convert an iMessage as plain text (SMS) when sending it while the Apple iMessage service is unavailable. Here’s a quick guide to send iMessage as SMS on the Apple iPhone 14 device.

Time Needed : 3 minutes

The inbuilt messaging app on your iPhone is capable of sending text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages. Thus, you can use the Messages app to send and receive texts, videos, images and audio messages to one or more people in a conversation. 

However, there may be some instances when you’re in a low-reception area and you may find that iMessage is not working as intended. This is when switching to regular SMS texting comes in handy. All you have to do is configure your iPhone settings to send all messages as plain texts.

If you're new to iOS and need help applying these settings in the iPhone 14 Messages, then feel free to refer to these outlined steps.

  1. First, open the Settings app on your iPhone.



    To do this, simply head over to the Home screen then tap on the Settings app icon, represented by a gear-shaped image. Alternatively, you can launch the iOS Settings menu by tapping on the gear icon from the App library.

  2. While in the iOS Settings menu, scroll to find Messages from the given items then tap on it to proceed.




    The Messages app settings menu will load up next.

  3. In the Messages app settings menu, you’ll see a number of inbuilt messaging features that you can use and manage.



    Find Send as SMS from the given items then tap to turn ON the switch next to it. Turning the switch likewise enables the Send as SMS function on your iPhone 14.

Tools
  • Settings
Materials
  • Apple iPhone 14

With this feature enabled, all your iMessages will automatically be sent as SMS when iMessage is not available. 

When does Messages Send iMessage as SMS?

Aside from poor network reception, you also won’t be able to use iMessage when the internet connection is limited. The same goes when there is no internet connection available. 

The reason for this is because your iPhone won’t be able to communicate and route your message through the dedicated Apple servers without an internet connection.

You can use a Wi-Fi or cellular data network for as long as the connection is stable. If it’s intermittent, then the Messages app will try to deliver your message using SMS.

Please note though that using this service may result in extra data charges. Talk to your carrier for more information about your carrier rates when using iMessage on your device.

And that’s all about enabling the iPhone 14 feature to send iMessage as SMS.