iMessage to SMS over WiFi?

[MadDogMike]

So, I was on a plane the other day, connected to the WiFi and I received a text from a friend. I replied and he said he received it.

I didn't think about it at the time, but later I realized, "Hey, he doesn't have an iPhone, he has an Android!" And sure enough, my messages to him are green and the text field says "Text Message," not iMessage. So how could that work? Did Apple come up with some new way to actually SMS over WiFi that I'm not aware of?

 

[SSAJ]

So, I was on a plane the other day, connected to the WiFi and I received a text from a friend. I replied and he said he received it.

I didn't think about it at the time, but later I realized, "Hey, he doesn't have an iPhone, he has an Android!" And sure enough, my messages to him are green and the text field says "Text Message," not iMessage. So how could that work? Did Apple come up with some new way to actually SMS over WiFi that I'm not aware of?

You are probably not on airplane mode

 

[MadDogMike]

I was in airplane mode, and I was over the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

[Gav2k]

So, I was on a plane the other day, connected to the WiFi and I received a text from a friend. I replied and he said he received it.

I didn't think about it at the time, but later I realized, "Hey, he doesn't have an iPhone, he has an Android!" And sure enough, my messages to him are green and the text field says "Text Message," not iMessage. So how could that work? Did Apple come up with some new way to actually SMS over WiFi that I'm not aware of?

What carrier are you with? Some support SMS over wifi

 

[MadDogMike]

It's Verizon. I thought only T-Mobile had free texting over GoGo WiFi. Verizon does have it's own "Messages+" app that will text over WiFi, but I was using the native iOS iMessage app.

 

[BearBert]

It is because you have WIFi calling enabled. I use this almost everyday when at the gym, it's located in the basement of a commercial building where nobody gets any signal. Luckily they have complimentary wifi. I just put my phone in airplane mode and turn on the Wifi. I know T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon can do this.

 

[MadDogMike]

It is because you have WIFi calling enabled. I use this almost everyday when at the gym, it's located in the basement of a commercial building where nobody gets any signal. Luckily they have complimentary wifi. I just put my phone in airplane mode and turn on the Wifi. I know T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon can do this.

Oh cool, I use WiFi Calling all the time when I'm overseas but I didn't know enabling it also enables texts over WiFi. Pretty slick!

 

[Applejuiced]

Oh cool, I use WiFi Calling all the time when I'm overseas but I didn't know enabling it also enables texts over WiFi. Pretty slick!

Yes, texts, calls, visual voicemail messages and mms messages all go via wifi when using wifi calling.

 

[G.McGilli]

Just curious - but is this any different than when that I use imessage on my Mac connected with Ethernet to send all my text messages when at my desk to Apple and Non-Apple devices?

 

[Brookzy]

Just curious - but is this any different than when that I use imessage on my Mac connected with Ethernet to send all my text messages when at my desk to Apple and Non-Apple devices?

A bit, yes - the feature you are using is called 'Text Message Forwarding' which allows your other devices to send SMS messages via your iPhone using its normal cellular connection.

Here, the OP didn't have a cellular connection, but did have Wi-Fi calling, and the SMS was sent successfully via Wi-Fi.

 

[allen.m.cohen]

It is because you have WIFi calling enabled. I use this almost everyday when at the gym, it's located in the basement of a commercial building where nobody gets any signal. Luckily they have complimentary wifi. I just put my phone in airplane mode and turn on the Wifi. I know T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon can do this.

View attachment 681237

I have TMobile and can't do SMS send over WiFi (iPhone to Android)

 

[C DM]

I have TMobile and can't do SMS send over WiFi (iPhone to Android)

Do you have WiFi calling enabled and it's in use when you try that?