iMessage can be used between devices logged into the same apple account. That's why I like it. If my phone dies or I don't have it near me, I can text from my computer. What is the difference between an iMessage and a regular text message?
Like text messaging, iMessage allows Apple users to send text, video, stickers, images, location data, and other information to other Apple users. Unlike traditional text messages, iMessages are delivered via Apple's proprietary servers rather than regular cell towers.
But one of the major differences and in fact, the most important is security. iMessage texts contain a thing called end-to-end encryption that regular SMS texts don't. This is what protects your communications from getting intercepted by hackers or other unwanted third parties while going through networks.
Without a data connection or WiFi, iMessage does not work. So, when an iPhone user has to send a text to another iPhone user, he/she can use either iMessage or text messages. But when a message has to be sent to a person using an Android phone, an iPhone user has to use the SMS service.
File Limitations in Messages
With iMessage, you can usually send files up to 100MB. iOS users might prefer iMessage to send pictures and videos because they retain their quality when sent.
iMessage: Number of users
The number of iMessage users around the world was estimated to be 1.3 billion in 2022. With Apple being such a popular company making devices loved by everyone all over the world, iMessage has always been popular and had many users.
iMessage is end-to-end encrypted. The phone number or email address you use is shown to the people you contact, and you can choose to share your name and photo. Apple retains limited information about the use of iMessage, such as whether your device is eligible to use iMessage, for up to 30 days.
iMessage is ideal for communication between Apple users and offers more advanced features than SMS. Sending rich content is easy with iMessage, but not all Android users will be able to receive rich messaging (they need to have RCS enabled).
iMessage users will show a blue iMessage icon alongside their name.
Tap and hold the Send button for about 3 seconds and iMessage will switch to text message.
Why should you turn off iMessage? If you switch from iPhone to Android, you must turn off iMessage. Otherwise, texts from your iPhone friends won't be delivered to your new phone since your number is still registered on iMessage. You will have to create a new group chat with your iPhone friends on your Android phone.
iMessage is a free and secure messaging app that you can use on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac laptop.
Since Android and other carriers operate within the SMS and MMS standards of text communication, these green texts are more versatile in who they can reach with their texts. Blue messages, or iMessage messages, are compatible within the Apple ecosystem. Apple backs up all of these messages.
Yes, it's definitely possible for someone to spy on your text messages and it's certainly something you should be aware of – this is a potential way for a hacker to gain a lot of private information about you – including accessing PIN codes sent by websites used to verify your identity (such as online banking).
Yes, you read that right! You can easily see the location of anyone you're chatting with on iMessage. In this guide, we'll show you how to see someone's location on iMessage using both built-in feature and some third-party apps.
In iOS, with read receipts enabled (Settings -> Messages -> Send Read Receipts), the "Delivered" text that a person sees under an iMessage they have sent you turns to "Read" when you've viewed it in the conversation thread, so they know you've seen the message even if you've not responded.
If you see a green message bubble instead of a blue one, then that message was sent using MMS/SMS instead of iMessage. 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.
In conclusion, it is technically possible for someone to remotely hack an iPhone, but it is highly unlikely to happen to most users. The expensive software and specialized techniques required for remote hacking make it a viable option only for high-value targets.
To send iMessages, you need a data plan, or you can send them over WiFi. If you use WiFi, there's no cost, but if you use your cellphone's data, it's deducted from your data plan. Sending pictures or videos over iMessage can use a lot of data very quickly. iMessage is located in the default messages app on your iPhone.
Set up your phone number
Tap Send & Receive. If you see “Use your Apple ID for iMessage,” tap it and sign in with the same Apple ID that you use on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch. In the "You can receive iMessages to and Reply From" section, make sure that your phone number and Apple ID are selected.
If your iPhone messages are green, it means they're being sent as SMS texts rather than iMessages. You'll always see green when texting Android users, or when you're not connected to the internet. If all of your iPhone messages are green, you should make sure iMessage is turned on in Settings.
The green message background indicates the traditional SMS text message. It actually means a message that you have sent to someone else is through SMS message service instead of Apple iMessage. Blue message background means the message is sent via iMessage technology.
You can also set up your other Apple devices to send and receive messages from any Apple device. If Wi-Fi is unavailable, iMessages will be sent over cellular data. Cellular data rates might apply.
To send a message as iMessage or MMS, you need a cellular data or Wi-Fi connection. To send an SMS message, you need cellular network connection. If you turn on Wi-Fi Calling, you can send SMS messages over Wi-Fi.