Should imessage be on or off? Explained

iMessage, one of the best means of sending messages from one apple device to another just like any other instant messaging apps and services. 

As iMessage uses internet connection, some users might not necessarily find it quite comfortable leaving their iMessage turned on always as it might suck their data or drain their device battery. 

This brings about the question being asked on should imessage be on or off?

iMessage should always be on as long as you have people sending messages to you through iMessage. 

However, you can choose to turn off iMessage when you hardly use it to receive messages on your iPhone.

Before going ahead to decide if at all should imessage be on or off on your device, let me explain the benefits of using an iMessage.


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iMessage benefits

iMessage benefits includes the followings;

  • Pictures sent or received through iMessage are of high quality. 
  • iMessage is free to use.
  • You can use iMessage internationally.
  • You can easily send files like pictures, videos, documents, etc through iMessage. 
  • You can send up to 100mb file.

Sending high quality pictures: When it comes to sending high picture quality using any of the instant messaging apps and services, iMessage is the best simply because it doesn’t compress photos and videos.

This is one major advantage iMessage have over any other instant messaging apps like whatsapp, Skype, Facebook messenger, telegram, etc.

You can send up to 100mb file: As the likes of whatsapp and other instant messaging apps limits it’s users to only 25mb file size limit, iMessage offers up to 100mb. This means you can send pictures, videos, documents, etc that has a file size up to 100mb.

You can use iMessage internationally: You can send international messages through iMessage as long as both you and the recipient has an active iMessage.

iMessage is free to use: There is no fee attached to iMessage as using iMessage to send messages is free even when sending messages internationally.

Should imessage be on or off?

iMessage should be on if you always receive text messages and attachments through iMessage. Also if you love some of the listed benefits of iMessage, then you should be using iMessage on your Apple device.

When iMessage should be off

iMessage should be off if you don’t make use of i in terms of sending and receiving messages through iMessage. 

If you happen to find yourself in an area or in a situation whereby you are the only iPhone user, all you have to do is to disable iMessage until you have seen friend and family that has an apple device thar you will be chatting with.

What does turning off iMessage do?

When you turn off iMessage on your device, you will no longer receive iMessages. For iMessage to be delivered on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple watch, iMessage must be enabled and activated.

Once you disable it, bear in mind that you will no longer be able to receive any new iMessages until you enable back on your device.

How to turn off iMessage

To turn off iMessage, kindly open the settings app and scroll down to messages. Tap on message to open and on the next screen you will see iMessage.

Go ahead and turn off iMessage just like on the picture below. 

should imessage be on or off

Once you have turned off your iMessage, that’s it. You can no longer receive iMessages on your Apple device until you enable iMessage once again on your device.

How to turn iMessage off for one person?

You cannot turn off iMessage for just one one person but rather for all contacts on your Apple device.

So far there is no option to turn off iMessage for a single contact, but instead if you don’t want to receive iMessages for a contact all you have to do is to block the contact.

Once you block the contact on your device, the contact will not send iMessages to you. I don’t recommend turning off iMessage just for the sake of a particular contact on your phone, that’s crazy.

How to turn off iMessage but still receive texts?

You cannot turn off iMessage and still receive texts unless you have your apple ID connected to other apple devices like the iPad, Mac, or Apple watch.

Once you turn off iMessage on your device, that’s it you cannot receive texts.

Seriously this is like turning off a mobile phone and expect to receive text messages and calls, there is no way this will be possible. Once you turn off iMessage it will be inactive and same unavailable, text messages won’t go through until you enable it.

Do I need iMessages?

As long as you are using an iPhone or iPad, you definitely need iMessage to send messages without attracting cost from your cellular network service.

Using iMessage you will know when a recipient opens or read your sent message as it will display read below the sent iMessage unless the recipient disabled read receipts.

iMessage uses internet so you don’t need sim card or cellular network service in sending messages unless there is no available Wi-Fi around you.

Message reaction on iMessage is really sweet and which is not available on whatsapp, Skype, Facebook messenger, telegram, viber, etc though the feature is now available on android rcs chat message.

should imessage be on or off

I you have a pdf or any other doc files which you want to send to another Apple device user, simply send it through iMessage. This also includes sending high quality pictures and videos through iMessage.

iMessage works similar to whatsapp just that you won’t be able to know when someone is online or the person’s last seen.

Are iMessages considered text messages?

iMessage are indeed considered as text messages as you can send texts using iMessage. However, iMessage is not sms text message as it uses the internet in sending messages and not the cellular network service. 

Even if you don’t have a Wi-Fi but instead cellular data, iMessage will use your data in sending messages.

On iPhone, sms text messages are green in color and they require a sim card, cellular network and a texting plan or airtime while iMessage only requires an active internet connection on your phone.

Does turning off iMessage delete Messages?

Turning off iMessage doesn’t delete messages, all sent and received messages will remain intact but new messages won’t be received once iMessage is turned off.

Does deleting a message on iMessage delete it from all devices?

The answer is no. Deleting a message on iMessage doesn’t delete it from all devices because iMessage doesn’t have delete for everyone feature.

Delete for everyone feature is only available on whatsapp, and this is one of the major advantage of whatsapp over iMessage.

Lastly, should imessage be on or off?

iMessage should always be on as long as you have people sending messages to you through iMessage.

About Kennedy

I'm Amaechi Uchenna by name, a mobile tech enthusiast who love writing articles about tips and tutorials especially relating to gadgets.

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