The main difference is that iMessage (blue bubbles) is Apple's internet-based service for Apple devices, offering features like read receipts, typing indicators, effects, and encryption, while regular text (green bubbles), or SMS/MMS, uses cellular networks for any phone, has fewer features, and isn't encrypted. iMessage relies on Wi-Fi or cellular data, making it free to send, whereas SMS uses your carrier plan and may cost money.
While both are used for sending text messages, SMS relies on your cellular network, whereas iMessage uses WiFi or mobile data and only works between Apple devices. iMessage also includes features like encryption, read receipts, and multimedia sharing.
iMessage supports delivery and read receipts and typing indicators. iMessages appear in blue text bubbles on your device. When you use iMessage, your conversations are encrypted end-to-end, so they can't be read while they're sent between devices.
It was designed to offer a more feature-rich, secure, and seamless messaging experience for Apple device users. Unlike traditional SMS, which uses a cellular network, iMessage operates over the internet, allowing users to send media files such as photos, videos, and audio messages.
Blue = iMessage (Apple-only, uses internet, more features) Green = SMS (works with any phone, uses your text plan) Problems sending? Check your connection, try resending as SMS, or restart your phone.
You may need to turn off iMessage if you are now using a non-Apple phone and cannot get SMS or text messages someone sends you from an iPhone.
No, “sent as a text message” does not mean your number is blocked. If your number is blocked and you attempt to send an iMessage to the recipient who blocked you, the blue bubble will still appear and it will look like your message actually was sent (although it won't show a “Delivered” confirmation).
Messages automatically uses the following screen effects for specific text strings:
If you see green bubbles, this means that your text messages are being sent through SMS, and they might have blocked you on iMessage. For example, if you send me a message and I receive it with a green bubble, this means that the message was sent through SMS rather than iMessage.
Your messages are just there and always synced and ready to go. Being able to text from the desktop at work is handy. Plus it tends to be reliable and it was once a big deal you could send texts on Wifi without using any data or sms from your carrier. Back when texting cost money, that was a game changer.
There's no anonymity or privacy. So if you want to broadcast a one-way text to iOS users, you'll need to use SMS, not iMessage. Another downside to iMessage is that you can't schedule or automate messages. Still, you can access some advanced features if you use a messaging platform with an Apple Business Chat Account.
When read receipts are turned on, the sender sees the word “Read” below messages they've sent to you, indicating that you've read their message. If you haven't read their message, the sender sees “Delivered.” You can turn on read receipts for everyone or for individual contacts.
You won't pay to send or receive messages through iMessage, the only possible costs are for data usage, but that only applies if you're not connected to WiFi and don't have a mobile data plan that would cover your data roaming costs abroad.
When you communicate with others who also use iMessage on an Apple device, the texts appear in blue bubbles. (SMS, MMS, and RCS messages appear in green bubbles.)
Apple doesn't charge for sending messages via iMessage, whether you're at home or abroad. But here's the catch: it uses internet data, so if you're not connected to Wi-Fi, you could rack up costly roaming fees from your mobile carrier.
There are several reasons for this: The person that you sent the message to doesn't have an Apple device. iMessage is turned off on your device or on your recipient's device. To check if iMessage is turned on for your device, go to Settings > Messages > iMessage.
If your texts consistently show no delivery, it may be a sign you've been blocked. If your message goes through, you'll see Delivered beneath it. If it hasn't been delivered — whether due to being blocked or simply because of issues like poor reception — it will show Not Delivered.
If the person you're calling has blocked anonymous calls, *67 won't work either. While *67 hides your number from the person you're calling, phone companies can still trace the call.
Muting helps you ignore someone without preventing them from doing anything. Blocking someone prevents them from messaging you, commenting on your observations, identifying your observations, and otherwise interacting with you on iNaturalist.
Why would someone want to turn off iMessage? You might turn off iMessage to avoid syncing messages across devices, reduce data usage, or if you're switching to Android and want texts to arrive as SMS.
It's certainly more secure than sending a text over the phone network, but there's a few issues with how iMessage works from a privacy perspective that you won't be aware of unless you've taken the time to read Apple's privacy policy carefully.
They'll still receive the messages, but they'll check them on their own time. In Messages, you'll see a small moon icon or a message saying "notifications silenced" next to their name, indicating their current status.