by If you’ve switched from Android to iOS, and you’re having trouble receiving SMS text messages, there might be a few things you can try.
One of those is turning on iMessage, which lets you send standard SMS texts to other iPhone users. Another is turning on MMS, which allows you to send multimedia content, like pictures, videos, and links.
1. Go to Settings
When you own an iPhone, it’s important to know how to make the most of your device. Whether you’re looking to conserve battery power or beef up security, there are a ton of settings on your phone that you can learn about.
You can also use these settings to make your life easier by finding shortcuts to things like playing music at the gym or turning on smart lights when you get home. Some of these tricks are hidden and require specific gestures to activate, but once you learn them, they’re quite useful.
For instance, you can search across apps, go back to the last screen or find widgets that show snapshots of certain information. It can be frustrating to waste time navigating through your phone, but once you’ve learned these tricks, they will become second nature.
Another useful feature is iMessage, which lets you communicate with other Apple devices through cellular data or Wi-Fi. It also includes a number of features that SMS and other text messages lack, such as read receipts, message editing, audio messages, and collaboration.
2. Tap Messages
You can tap Messages on an iPhone to view messages, create new ones or reply to existing ones. You can also customize the app with Digital Touch, which allows you to add different effects like a sketch or heartbeat on top of photos and videos.
In addition, you can use the Tapback effect to see who reacted to a message in a group chat. This feature works best when you have a long conversation and can’t scroll through each message to find what you need to say.
To use this feature, launch the Messages app and tap the conversation thread with the person you want to respond to. Then, choose a reaction or expression by double-tapping on it.
For example, you can choose Haha to show your friend that you are amused by their message, or thumbs up if you think they’re right. You can also choose a question mark if you aren’t sure what they mean.
Once you’ve chosen a response, you can edit it by tapping the “Edit” button. You can also change the font or color of the message if you want to make it more personalized.
3. Tap iMessage
iMessage is an app that lets you send text messages, photos, and videos to other iOS devices or Macs over Wi-Fi. It can also be used to exchange files and even play games.
Unlike SMS and MMS, iMessage is encrypted and requires an internet connection to work. This is why you can’t use it without a data plan.
Tapbacks, which let you reply with expressions like thumbs up or down, a heart, or exclamation marks, are another way to quickly communicate on iMessage. However, it’s important to note that these aren’t a replacement for actual replies.
Context is key when interpreting Tapbacks, so be sure to read the message carefully and ask for clarification if you’re not sure what it means. Otherwise, it’s probably just an attempt to get a reaction from your friend.
One of the best features in iMessage is its ability to send digital touch gestures, such as fireballs and hearts. These can create fun effects when you’re responding to a text or video, and they’re especially useful when sending group messages.
4. Tap MMS
Texting has gone beyond just a short “Hey, how are you?” These days, you can send photos, videos, GIFs, and even longer messages through your iPhone using a feature called MMS. This is a great way to send more media than you could with SMS messaging, which limits text messages to 160 characters.
However, it’s important to note that MMS requires data to function. So if you’re on a limited plan or don’t have a good data connection, MMS might not be a good option for you.
You should first check your phone’s settings. You can access this menu by tapping the settings icon on your iPhone’s home screen or by swiping down from the top of the screen to bring up a search field, then type Settings.
Once you’ve found the settings menu, go to the Messages section. It should be about halfway down the column that starts with “Passwords & Accounts.”
When you’re in the Messages section, tap the green toggle next to “SMS/MMS” to turn it on. This will cut down on your cellular data usage, though it may add to your monthly text costs.
If you’re not seeing this option, you might need to contact your mobile service provider. They can check your MMS settings and help you set them up properly if necessary.
Another common reason that MMS might not work is because of a problem with your phone. If you’re not sure what the problem is, try taking your phone to a mobile repair store and having them check it out.
5. Tap Send as SMS
If you’re out of Wi-Fi or cellular data range and can’t send a message through iMessage, you can still send text messages by tapping Send as SMS. This will use up some of your SMS allowance, but it might help you keep the conversation going if you need to.
Before you send a text, make sure the person you’re messaging has an Apple device and is logged into their Apple account. If they don’t have an Apple device, check their network connection to see if it’s stable enough to send an iMessage or text.
To get started, tap Messages in the app library and select the contact you want to send the message to. Then, enter a message and choose whether to attach a photo, video or audio clip.
The message will appear in green on the other person’s phone as a text message, or in blue as an iMessage. Both versions work over WiFi or cellular data.
