No, you’re not losing your mind. Here’s why some texts are green, and some are blue.
If you own an iPhone, at some point you’ve probably wondered, “Why are my texts green? Aren’t they supposed to be blue?” And then you start spiraling. Maybe your texts aren’t going through, or maybe there’s something wrong with your phone. Or worse, maybe it’s a sign that the other person blocked you. Take a deep breath—green text on an iPhone is not an anomaly, and there’s a simple reason for it.
It all boils down to which type of texts your iPhone is sending. Below, we’ll break down the differences between blue and green text messages, including which is better, and share some tech tips for how to change your iPhone’s message settings so you can send the fastest, most secure texts.
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Why are my messages green?
Simply put, green-colored text on an iPhone indicates that your message was sent as a standard SMS message, rather than an iMessage, which would appear in a blue text bubble. SMS, which stands for Short Message Service, is a traditional form of text messaging that uses a cellular signal to send and receive messages. On the other hand, iMessage is an Apple-specific messaging system that sends texts through Wi-Fi or data.
As for the answer to your question, “Why are my text messages green?” or suddenly being sent as SMS messages instead of iMessages, here are the common culprits:
- You’re texting someone who does not have an Apple device.
- Your iPhone isn’t connected to the internet via a Wi-Fi connection or your cellular data network.
- The default iMessage setting on your iPhone is turned off.
The reason for your sudden switch to green messages, of course, will determine your next steps, which we’ll get into below.
What’s the difference between SMS and iMessage?
SMS messages are compatible with Android devices, iPhones and all other types of smartphones. However, only Apple devices (iPhones, iPads and Macs) can send and receive iMessages. Your iPhone will automatically send the correct message type. That means when you’re texting another Apple user, you’ll see blue texts as your phone uses iMessage, and when you’re texting a non-Apple user, the messages will be green.
Further, iMessage has multiple additional features that SMS does not offer. So, now you know the answer to the question, “Why are my iMessages green?” That said, you can choose to use SMS if you want—more on that later.
Other differences between iMessages and SMS messages
- Unlike SMS messages, iMessages offer end-to-end encryption, making them a lot more secure than SMS messages. Without iMessage or a secure app like Signal or WhatsApp, you could be vulnerable to smishing and other texting scams.
- Because iMessages use Wi-Fi or data to send and receive texts, these texts don’t count against a limited texting plan. However, SMS messages require a texting plan, and you may be charged if you’re not on a plan that includes unlimited texting.
- If you don’t have a texting plan (for example, when traveling in a foreign country where your regular network coverage isn’t available), you cannot send SMS messages unless you’re on a WiFi network. However, you can still send and receive iMessages over cellular data networks, even if you don’t have a texting plan.
- In the iMessage app, you’ll get a variety of additional features—such as showing three pulsing dots when someone is typing, and sending “read receipts” when the recipient has seen your text. You can also edit, unsend and schedule iMessages. You won’t see these when sending or receiving SMS messages.
- iMessages don’t have a character limit, but each SMS message can be no longer than 160 characters. If an SMS message exceeds the limit, your phone carrier will send it in multiple 160-character parts. Since SMS messages count against your texting plan, this is something to be aware of when sending texts to a non-Apple device.
- And finally, iMessages can include text, photos and video. SMS messages are limited to text and pictures.
When might you want to send an SMS message?
As you can see, it’s really preferable to use iMessage over SMS, and generally speaking, your iPhone will switch you over to SMS when necessary (and then switch you back to iMessage).
That said, if you’re having trouble getting a consistent Wi-Fi connection, you might want to switch to SMS to send a quick text. Or you might want to temporarily disable iMessage so the person you’re texting can’t see when you’re typing a response. However, you should do this sparingly, and also make sure to reactivate iMessage as soon as you’re done.
How do I enable iMessage on my iPhone?
The iPhone’s default setting is to send iMessages to other Apple devices. But if none of your iPhone’s text messages are blue, it’s most likely a sign that this iMessage setting is turned off.
Instead of just wondering “Why are my texts green?” follow these steps to enable iMessage on your iPhone and turn them blue:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Messages.
- Toggle the iMessage switch to the “on” position.
Yes, this iPhone tip is really that simple. Reactivating iMessage will turn your messages back to blue when sending texts to other Apple devices.
How do I make my messages blue again?
If you don’t want to use iMessage, you can enable your iPhone to use only SMS for text messaging, even if the person you’re texting is using an Apple device. Here’s how to do it.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Messages.
- Toggle the iMessage switch to the “off” position.
Remember that you need a cellular connection to send SMS messages, and it counts against your texting plan. Also, be aware of potential carrier charges when using SMS instead of iMessage, as well as security risks.
The bottom line is that there’s rarely a reason to use SMS over iMessage. But now that you understand the ins and outs of iPhone texting, you’ll know what’s going on when your messages are green or blue.
FAQs
Are green messages less secure than blue messages on an iPhone?
Not entirely. Green texts (SMS/MMS) aren’t end-to-end encrypted, while blue iMessages are. But don’t be fooled by bubble color alone, because according to Botsplash, scams can slip through iMessage too. The smarter move? Be cautious with any message that seems suspicious. And don’t click on any links that have come from an unknown source.
How can I tell if someone has blocked my number based on message color?
You can’t tell, actually. If you’re thinking “Why are my texts green?” and wondering if it’s because you’ve been blocked, it’s not the case. A green bubble simply indicates that the text was sent as an SMS, not that you’re blocked.
According to T-Mobile, stronger signs include no “Delivered” status on iMessages, calls going straight to voicemail and texts never going through. Message color alone isn’t proof of your number being blocked.
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece on why your iPhone messages are green, Brooke Nelson Alexander tapped her experience as a seasoned tech reporter, and then Burton Kelso, the owner of tech-repair company Integral and a technology expert with more than 30 years of experience, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
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