"Laughed at an image" between iPhone users?

[Jodeo]

My siblings have iPhones on the latest iOS 16. They don't text from other devices.

Lately, I'm not getting reactions when they Like or Laugh at something. Instead, it's as if they're on Android.

Plus, their message are in gray, not blue (or green, for that matter) — but my replies are green.

Not sure what changed or what I need to check. On my devices, Message is set to...
* iMessage setting is ON.
* Receive to/Reply From: Defaults to iCloud account email.
* Also includes cell ph#.

They've made no changes in their settings.

Any ideas what we're missing?

 

[chrono1081]

I have Send/Receive set to my phone number first, then my Apple ID, then under "start new conversations from" I have only my phone number. Ive found other combinations just dont work right.

 

[Jodeo]

UPDATE: My brother checked his settings and didn't have them set correctly.
Now, all is well.