SMS vs iMessage?

[iphonefreak450]

I always had the SMS Message enabled on the native iPhone messaging app and I am thinking about switching to use iMessage instead.

Will I still receive the two factor authentication codes if I switch from the standard SMS to iMessage? I’m on my home WiFi network. But in case I can’t, there’s an option to enable use SMS if iMessage isn’t available or something like that. My bank uses SMS codes to authenticate as well as other services, but will these codes work as well for iMessage?

Is iMessage better?
Is it more secure?
Will it work for people who have Android phones?

 

[BrianBaughn]

I use iMessage, do not have the "Send as SMS" option enabled, and have had no issues receiving iMessages or SMS from people or verification code stuff.

But that's just me on my iPhone with my provider.

iMessages don't go directly to Androids. They'll get an SMS.

I would say iMessage is secure and SMS is not.

 

[iphonefreak450]

Will iMessages work ONLY on Wi-Fi and Mobile Internet?

I do NOT have Mobile Internet as part of my plan, only Text and Voice and Wi-Fi when I am at home.
If that is the case, (which it is), then I should turn On the Send as SMS option When iMessage isnt Available option?

Can Android users send messages to iMessage?
As you mentioned, Android users need will receive iMessages but will then convert that to SMS format.
But what happens if an Android wants to message me? Will I get the Android messages in iMessage or SMS on my iPhone?

 

[almostinsane]

imessage uses your apple ID (email address) to send the blue bubbles. My dad has only an iPad and I'm able to send him imessages and him to me as well.

 

[iphonefreak450]

Will iMessages work ONLY on Wi-Fi and Mobile Internet?

I do NOT have Mobile Internet as part of my plan, only Text and Voice and Wi-Fi when I am at home.
If that is the case, (which it is), then I should turn On the Send as SMS option When iMessage isnt Available option?

Can Android users send messages to iMessage?
As you mentioned, Android users will receive iMessages but it will be converted into SMS format.

But what happens if an Android user wants to message me? Will I get the Android messages in iMessage or SMS on my iPhone?

 

[adrianlondon]

Will iMessages work ONLY on Wi-Fi and Mobile Internet?

I do NOT have Mobile Internet as part of my plan, only Text and Voice and Wi-Fi when I am at home.
If that is the case, (which it is), then I should turn On the Send as SMS option When iMessage isnt Available option?

Can Android users send messages to iMessage?
As you mentioned, Android users need will receive iMessages but will then convert that to SMS format.
But what happens if an Android wants to message me? Will I get the Android messages in iMessage or SMS on my iPhone?

iMessage uses (mobile) data. If you're not connected to WiFi or mobile data, and you still want the message to send, then yes you have to enable that option.

iMessage is between Apple devices only. Any message to/from an Android device will come as an sms.

 

[iphonefreak450]

Just wanted to know if I can send an iMessage to an Android user or an Android user sends me a message, all of those messages will be in the form of an SMS message. Now I understand.

That’s should not be an issue for me, as long as we receive our messages.

To confirm one more thing. When using iMessage, is it free of charge?

When I send a message using iMessage to an Android user, it will not be free because the Android user will have it received as SMS. Am I correct?

 

[ManuCH]

Yes, you will still receive all your 2 factor authentication codes via SMS. iMessage does not disable SMS reception. It just tries to use iMessage by default. Reception of SMS always works, regardless.

If you don't have any Mobile Internet, you will need to enable "Send as SMS" so that it still sends when you're away from your Wifi.

But careful: doing it that way, people who have iPhones may not be able to reach you all the time. It works like this: let's say I want to send you a text message. Once you enable iMessage, it will show to me that you have iMessage (blue bubble). If you're away from your Wifi, if I send you a message it will still use iMessage, because it didn't realize yet that you have no Wifi. Which means the iMessage will only be delivered to you once you are under Wifi coverage again.

It's pretty untypical for users with no Mobile Internet to enable iMessage as it may spoil the experience a bit.

Sending will never be a problem as it falls back to SMS (if you enable the option). Receiving from other iPhone users may be delayed because the system doesn't realize right away that you're out of Internet coverage.

I hope it makes sense.

And yes, iMessage is free of charge if you see the blue bubble. You will only pay for SMS if it falls back to SMS (out of wifi coverage) or sending messages to Android users.

 

[iphonefreak450]

Thanks for the explanation!!!