If your iPhone can’t send an iMessage because of a poor or lost internet connection, it can automatically fall back to SMS—but only if you enable this setting. This quick guide will show you how to turn on the option so your messages still go through, even when iMessage isn’t working.
Turn On “Send as SMS” in iOS 16
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Messages.
- Toggle on Send as SMS.
That’s it. Now if iMessage fails (like when you’re offline or have weak data/Wi-Fi), your iPhone will try to send the message as a regular text (green bubble).
When Does iMessage Fall Back to SMS?
iMessage needs an internet connection—either Wi-Fi or cellular data—to work. If you’re in an area with spotty reception or no internet at all, your iPhone won’t be able to send iMessages.
With Send as SMS enabled:
- Your iPhone will automatically send the message via SMS if it can’t reach Apple’s servers.
- This fallback only applies when iMessage fails—your phone won’t default to SMS otherwise.
Heads-Up About Carrier Charges
Sending messages as SMS may use your texting plan instead of data. Depending on your carrier, this could lead to extra charges—especially if you’re texting internationally or don’t have unlimited texts. Check with your carrier if you’re unsure about rates.