Does texting use data?

Question

My daughter has used all her data for the month and now can not text anyone when she is outside of wifi areas. Even just regular texts and calls. Is this normal? Cause if so i will go with a different provider. It says unlimited text and calling. Its her problem if she uses all the data but i should be able to call and text her if I am paying for that.

Acrillix · Accepted Answer

I am assuming she has a iPhone.

iPhones use two different SMS (Short Messaging Service) and MMS (Multi-Media Service) systems. There are two different Chat Bubbles that will display when messaging on iMessage.

BLUE: This is an iMessage. iMessages use data because they route not through to a phone number, but to an Apple ID that is associated with that phone number. This is why you can message on WiFi but not data.

GREEN: This is a Text Message. You can only send these through the cellular network and not through WiFi.

So, if you need to be able to message outside of data (assuming you are out of data) you can do two things...

1. Use Settings to turn OFF iMessage (only send SMS messages NOT iMessages)

or

2. Manually select which messages to send as SMS

Option 1: Settings > Messages > iMessages (OFF)

Option 2: Send iMessage > Tap and Hold on Message > Select 'MORE' > Send as TXT Message