FAQ: What's iMessage and how does it work?
Fret not, however, as we're here to help. Once you get up and running (and have plenty of friends with iOS 5 devices), you're likely to end up saving on your SMS count.
Setting up
To make sure you're able to use iMessage on your iOS device, simply go to your settings and make sure it's turned on. Also, if you have multiple accounts, make sure the Apple ID that you normally use is associated with iMessage, but if it's not, you may want to add it in.
How does it work
iMessage works by automatically checking to see if the contact you're sending messages to has an Apple ID associated with the device. If it is, the message will get sent as an iMessage instead of the usual text message. You can also tell whether it's an iMessage or a normal text via the color bubbles--iMessages are blue while normal text messages are green.
You will be able to tell if you're sending as an iMessage or a normal SMS.
The colors of the chat bubbles also tell you whether it's a regular chat session or one using iMessage.
Do I know if it's sent?
If you're using iMessage, at the bottom of your last sent message you will see a "Delivered" note. It's as simple as that. Like instant messaging, iMessage also tells you when a user is preparing to send text. This is represented by the ellipsis in the message thread.
If you're worried about using roaming SMS when your Wi-Fi connection drops while on holiday, don't panic. iMessage has a setting that disables the sending of SMS, so if you just want to stick to using data for texting, turn this off.
Alternatives
If iMessage just isn't for you, there are a whole bunch of messaging apps that you can use. WhatsApp is pretty popular, though its servers tend to go down occasionally. Unlike iMessage, WhatsApp works on most platforms, including Android and Symbian, which makes it a great way to stay in contact with your friends, even if they don't use Apple products.
Besides WhatsApp, users can also try out Pingchat (which came out at around the same time). A new service, Line, which features cutesy emoticons and free voice calls, seems to be a popular alternative too.
About the author
Aloysius Low is a Senior Writer at CNET Asia and covers all things mobile. A former World of Warcraft addict, he now dabbles in social media to stave off the withdrawal symptoms. As a lover of all things furry, he's also the unfortunate slave/minion of two adorable cats.
Latest comments
I live in England currently and spent 3 hours researching this yesterday. Sorry if this gets a bit confusing, I'm not the best at writing tech manuals/instructions haha, anyways: I have Unlimited text messaging, 900 mins, 750mb data on my plan and in the USA, unlimited text messaging means unlimited text messaging... Well, I got my first bill here in the UK and it was double what it should have been! I realized I was charged 30p ($0.50) for every picture I texted! I was so upset that I had to figure out why... (In short, in the US, unlimited texts means unlimited SMS and MMS... In England, it means unlimited SMS) Text messages are considered SMS (Short Message Service) messages. SMS messages are short and simple, text only. When you input a picture or video (can't input vids into a text in England iPhones apparently?) into the text message, you change it to an MMS (Multimedia Message Service) message. My provider (Vodafone) charges 30p per MMS message, which is about $0.45-0.50. My iPhone only allows 2 pictures in the typing field at a time. Two pictures sent in one message will cost 60p though... Any and all text messages go through the cellular data network, even when connected to WiFi. (Unless the receiving end has iMessage, and your phone has iMessage enabled) I never knew that text messaging pictures to an email address was considered an MMS message till I got my bill... Internet, EMAIL!!!, Push Notifications and Apps use WAP (Wireless Application Protocol). WAP enables the connection of cellular data networks to the internet. So, if you were to use the EMAIL PHOTO option from the camera roll album on your phone, the 1.9MB file size (or however big the picture is) will be subtracted from your monthly data allowance when the email is sent. I just learned about this "email photo" feature yesterday. I was text messaging photos to email addresses and being charged where as if I were to use this email photo option, the photo is inserted into an email (looks just like if you were to use the email feature on the phone to type an email to someone). I have NO idea why when I open the mail icon and create a new email, there is no option to "insert photo"...the only way you can email a photo is to go to Photos > Album > Pick a Photo > Click on the "square with the arrow" button > Select "Email Photo". A new email will appear with the picture in it, just type in the email address and subject line, then send. Emailing photos as I mentioned above, will be subtracted from your data allowance, you won't get surprise charges for MMS messaging this way. When connected to WiFi... Internet, Email, Push Notifications and Apps use the WiFi feature of your phone. Nothing is sent over the cellular data network. (Keep in mind, text messages are sent over the cellular data network) Also, when connected to WiFi, you're not using your data allowance. Apparently data allowance means 3G or E coverage. WiFi is unlimited. When iMessage is enabled on your phone, you can send unlimited text messages, pictures, and videos to anyone that has an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 5 or newer when connected to WiFi. (EVEN INTERNATIONALLY!!!) If you are not connected to WiFi, then the Data Allowance is applied since it's sent over 3G or E coverage. Someone on a different forum said that iMessage photos might even be compressed, so it won't effect your data allowance that much. While in Settings > Messages, I noticed an option to TURN OFF MMS... I turned this off to prevent me from accidentally sending a picture or video to a non iMessage recipient or email account and getting charged.
Is the iMessage only on the 4s? I can't seem to find on my 4 Thank you, Kevin
Great article, but I am still a little worried about charges. I am currently overseas in Germany and my wife and I just have our iPhone (4S). The plans here in Germany are slightly different than the states. Fortunately our plan allow us to send unlimited SMS text within Germany providers. The plan allow us to use unlimited data also as far as we stay in Germany. Our problem is that we get charged for MMS and VERY MUCH expensive calls to US. We have family and friends back in the states with iOS5 devices and this iMessage seems to be an excellent way stay in touch. Everything I've read mentioned that iMessage will be sent/received via data. This means that I will NOT be charge for any MMS/SMS sent to the US because I am using ONLY my data? Similar to me typing an email and send it to my sister via my iPhone. correct? Any other person outside US with the same problem?
I live in England currently and spent 3 hours researching this yesterday. Sorry if this gets a bit confusing, I'm not the best at writing tech manuals/instructions haha, anyways: I have Unlimited text messaging, 900 mins, 750mb data on my plan and in the USA, unlimited text messaging means unlimited text messaging... Well, I got my first bill here in the UK and it was double what it should have been! I realized I was charged 30p ($0.50) for every picture I texted! I was so upset that I had to figure out why... (In short, in the US, unlimited texts means unlimited SMS and MMS... In England, it means unlimited SMS) Text messages are considered SMS (Short Message Service) messages. SMS messages are short and simple, text only. When you input a picture or video (can't input vids into a text in England iPhones apparently?) into the text message, you change it to an MMS (Multimedia Message Service) message. My provider (Vodafone) charges 30p per MMS message, which is about $0.45-0.50. My iPhone only allows 2 pictures in the typing field at a time. Two pictures sent in one message will cost 60p though... Any and all text messages go through the cellular data network, even when connected to WiFi. (Unless the receiving end has iMessage, and your phone has iMessage enabled) I never knew that text messaging pictures to an email address was considered an MMS message till I got my bill... Internet, EMAIL!!!, Push Notifications and Apps use WAP (Wireless Application Protocol). WAP enables the connection of cellular data networks to the internet. So, if you were to use the EMAIL PHOTO option from the camera roll album on your phone, the 1.9MB file size (or however big the picture is) will be subtracted from your monthly data allowance when the email is sent. I just learned about this "email photo" feature yesterday. I was text messaging photos to email addresses and being charged where as if I were to use this email photo option, the photo is inserted into an email (looks just like if you were to use the email feature on the phone to type an email to someone). I have NO idea why when I open the mail icon and create a new email, there is no option to "insert photo"...the only way you can email a photo is to go to Photos > Album > Pick a Photo > Click on the "square with the arrow" button > Select "Email Photo". A new email will appear with the picture in it, just type in the email address and subject line, then send. Emailing photos as I mentioned above, will be subtracted from your data allowance, you won't get surprise charges for MMS messaging this way. When connected to WiFi... Internet, Email, Push Notifications and Apps use the WiFi feature of your phone. Nothing is sent over the cellular data network. (Keep in mind, text messages are sent over the cellular data network) Also, when connected to WiFi, you're not using your data allowance. Apparently data allowance means 3G or E coverage. WiFi is unlimited. When iMessage is enabled on your phone, you can send unlimited text messages, pictures, and videos to anyone that has an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 5 or newer when connected to WiFi. (EVEN INTERNATIONALLY!!!) If you are not connected to WiFi, then the Data Allowance is applied since it's sent over 3G or E coverage. Someone on a different forum said that iMessage photos might even be compressed, so it won't effect your data allowance that much. While in Settings > Messages, I noticed an option to TURN OFF MMS... I turned this off to prevent me from accidentally sending a picture or video to a non iMessage recipient or email account and getting charged.
Great informative article. Readers please note that if you have one iTunes account with multiple devices eg: wife, hubby, kidds etc you will each need your own user id for iMessage to work. This is because iMessage requires an email address for the message to be sent via data and if all users have the same iTunes user name ( which have the one email address against it) iMessage cannot distinguish one device from another and from experience messages get muddled as iMessage seems to think you are sending a message to yourself. Solution is to create separate iMessage user names that have individual email addresses sent up that way all devices are now individual even though on the same iTunes account for app downloads. When you create the new account you could use the same payment option as your iTunes if you wish. I have experienced this problem and found now it works great even on my iPad ( wifi only ) . The issues I was getting was that my wife would send me an iMessage and I would receive this with no notification and it would appear from my phone not hers, this happened in reverse also.
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