why does messages not work when internet turned off but have unlimited texting

[scottww70]

I am limited my son to 3 GB of data per month.  He ran out of allocated internet data and now cannot send or receive apps.  If I have unlimited texting on my plan why is the texting shut off without internet data?  Does this mean that when using Verizon Messages that it is subtracting from my allocated data with each text message?

[Weth · Accepted solution]

Regular  text messages do not need data on but multimedia (MMS) messages must have data on to work. These MMS messages include messages with pictures, video, attachments, and likely the thing that is causing trouble - group messages. Even though MMS messages require data to be on, the data that is used is not subtracted from you 3 GB monthly limit.

[scottww70]

That is not the way it is working. My son went over what I allocated him

for his monthly data usage and told me he know longer could text without

being connect to wifi. I had him try to send me a simple "Hi" text. It

sat there for 10 minutes while we drove home saying sending. Once we got

home on the wifi it said sent. I have tested this multiple times, he can

send and receive text through the Apple Text Program but not the Verizon

Messages App. I guess we will remove the app from all our phones since it

is obviously using the internet data to send and receive text through the

app.

[chris1060]

That's odd. I did an experiment with my Messages. I turned both data and Wi-Fi off, and was able to send/receive texts from multiple contacts. I attempted to send a text with an attachment, it wouldn't send until I turned data or Wi-Fi back on. This was done on 3 different devices, iPhone, Android phone and iPad Pro. Not sure way could be causing the issue.

[scottww70]

This may only be caused due to the restriction from Family Control shutting

off the internet. I will check and see when his data resets.

On Mon, May 9, 2016 at 5:23 PM, chris1060 <forums@verizonwireless.com>

[Tidbits]

I believe you are using messages plus and have that setup. If that is indeed what you are using it uses data(which also shouldn't count against your data). Then you need to turn that off and use a normal messaging app.

[vzw_customer_support]

I understand how this can be confusing, chris1060. I'm happy to provide an explanation. When you send a text it is sent over our voice Network. However, when you add an attachment data is required to send/receive the attachment. I'm confident this aid in understanding your experiment. 

DeloresK_VZW
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If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Weth]

The other thing to keep in mind is sending or receiving an emoji, special text, or accents can turn a text message into a MMS message.

[chris1060]

It wasn't me needing assistance. I was posting my experience with Messages pertaining to the OP's issue they were having.

[NeedToKnowBasis]

So...is my paid data being gobbled-up by MMS messages?