Have you ever wondered why your iPhone messages are green or blue? That’s your device's way of showing whether you are sending an iMessage or SMS Message.
iMessage is Apple’s proprietary messaging service. It uses an internet connection and can only message other Apple accounts and devices. SMS Messaging, on the other hand, is simply standard texting. It uses your phone’s cellular network to communicate with other cell phones. Read on to learn more about these services in greater detail and the perks of each.
What is iMessage?
iMessage is Apple’s secure instant messaging system. These messages appear as blue chat bubbles in the iPhone Messages app and can also tell you if the message was delivered or even read.
The service can send texts, photos, videos, and other effects to other Apple products like iPhones and iPads. iMessage does that by sending messages to all the synced devices attached to an Apple ID. It runs on the internet, so you must have a Wi-Fi connection or use your cellular data to send messages. Finally, iMessages are also encrypted, meaning no one can read the message as it travels between devices.
What is an SMS message?
SMS stands for Short Message Service. It’s essentially a fancy title for a text message. SMS messages rely on a cellular network and can be sent by any brand of cell phone. For Android devices, any text you send using your messages app will be an SMS message. iPhones can send both iMessages and SMS messages depending on the recipient's device or the phone’s settings. SMS messages will appear as green chat bubbles in the iPhone Messages app.
What is an MMS message?
MMS message stands for Multimedia Message Service. It’s a text message that includes a photo, video, or emoji. Standard SMS messages can only send text, so your phone uses MMS messaging when sending anything else.
iMessage vs. SMS message: Which is better?
iMessages and SMS messages both have their benefits. One of the biggest benefits of iMessage is that it operates on Apple’s ecosystem, meaning you can send and receive messages on all of your synced Apple devices at once. iMessage even saves your recently deleted messages for up to 30 days, so you can recover them if needed.
Also, iMessage's encryption means that your messages travel with general safety from one device to another. However, the fact iMessages need an internet connection can be an issue. If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi, every iMessage you send uses part of your cell phone’s data plan, not your texting limit.
The biggest benefit of SMS messages is that they can be received by all brands of mobile phones. They also don’t require an internet connection or use your high-speed data. Instead, SMS messages come out of your text message allowance, which is generally unlimited on most modern plans. However, it is important to note that SMS doesn’t support end-to-end encryption. The messages are not completely secure and can be intercepted by criminals.
iMessage Pros and Cons
- Receive messages on all Apple devices
- End-to-end encryption
- Must have Apple device to use
- Requires internet connection
SMS Message Pros and Cons
- Available on all mobile phones
- Uses texting allowance
- No end-to-end encryption
iMessage vs. SMS: Group chat
iPhones and Android devices can be in group chats together. However, any chat that involves both types of devices will be entirely SMS messages. Only a group chat of iPhones can use iMessaging for their chats.
How to turn off iMessage
If you use an iPhone, your device will typically automatically use iMessage when communicating with other iPhones. The good news is you can turn iMessage off if you want to simply use SMS texting. You might need to do this if you are approaching a monthly data cap on your phone plan.
To turn off iMessage:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Select Messages.
- Toggle off iMessage.
So, should you turn iMessage off? Remember, once you turn off iMessage, your phone will switch to SMS messaging and it will no longer be encrypted. You’ll save data and won’t need an internet connection, but your messages may no longer show up on your other Apple devices.
iMessage vs. SMS message: FAQs
FAQs
Can Androids send iMessages?
No, Androids can't send iMessages. Android users have access to Google Message, which offers many of the same features as iMessage.
Why would someone use iMessage instead of text?
iMessage uses end-to-end encryption making sure messages are securely sent and only readable by the recipient.
How do I know if it is iMessage or text?
If you are using iMessage the chat bubble is blue. If the bubble is green, then that means your message is a regular SMS.
What is the difference between a text message and an iMessage?
While iMessages can work with either your Apple ID or phone number, text messages only work with your phone number.
What happens if I turn off SMS on my iPhone?
If you turn off SMS on an iPhone, your phone will only be able to send and receive iMessages. You won't be able to send messages to Android devices or receive any SMS text messages.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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