“Sent as SMS” means the message went as a regular carrier text instead of an iMessage or other data-based app message.
Meaning
“Sent as SMS” means the message went as a regular text through your carrier, not as an iMessage (blue) or an RCS or data message.
Why it happens
- The recipient isn’t on iMessage.
- Wi-Fi or data is off.
- iMessage is disabled.
- The other person’s phone is off.
Differences
SMS is green on iPhone. It is less secure and has no read receipts.
Carrier charges
May apply.
Fix
Check internet and iMessage in Settings, Messages.
Why messages are sent as SMS
On iPhone, a message sent as a green bubble with “Sent as Text Message” went through SMS or MMS, not iMessage. This happens when the recipient is not on iMessage (for example, uses Android), when iMessage is off, when there is no data connection, or when iMessage servers fail to deliver.
- iMessage uses data (Wi-Fi or cellular) and appears as blue bubbles. SMS uses the carrier’s cellular network.
- SMS has a limit of 160 characters per message before splitting, and MMS handles pictures and longer text.
- Apple added RCS support in iOS 18, improving messaging with Android users, with features such as typing indicators and higher quality media.
Fixes and cost
Check Settings, Messages, iMessage is on and that your phone number is registered. Make sure data is available, and toggle iMessage off and on. Standard plans in the US include unlimited texts, but international SMS can incur fees. SMS is not end-to-end encrypted, unlike iMessage, so avoid sensitive information over SMS.
Why messages are sent as SMS
A message sent as SMS rather than iMessage or RCS means the recipient is not using iMessage, has no data connection, or the service is off. Bubbles are green on iPhone for SMS.
Fixes and cost
Check data, enable iMessage in settings and confirm the recipient number. SMS may count against text allowances.
SMS compared with other messages
SMS stands for Short Message Service and carries up to 160 characters of plain text over the cellular network, not the internet. Longer texts are split into segments and rejoined. On an iPhone, a green bubble means SMS or MMS, and blue means iMessage over the internet. On Android, RCS chat uses data and supports read receipts and larger media where available.
Delivery details
When a message is labeled sent as text message, the phone fell back to SMS because iMessage or RCS was unavailable, for example with no data connection or a recipient on another platform. SMS is not end to end encrypted by default, so avoid sending passwords or codes by it where possible. Carrier plans usually include texts. International SMS may cost extra. Short codes of 5 or 6 digits are used by businesses for alerts.
Based on data from Apple Support and the GSMA
