You cannot change a text message after you send it, but you can send your next message as an iMessage instead of a regular text

Once a text message leaves your phone, it stays a text message. You cannot convert it retroactively. What you can do is make sure the next message goes out as an iMessage — Apple's encrypted messaging system — instead of as a standard SMS text. The difference matters because iMessages are free over WiFi or data, show read receipts if the other person allows it, and arrive faster on Apple devices.

The reason your message went out as a text in the first place is usually that your phone could not reach iMessage servers, the recipient's phone does not support iMessage, or iMessage is turned off in your settings. Fixing this takes two minutes and prevents the problem going forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Text messages and iMessages are different systems — a message sent as a text cannot be changed to an iMessage after it leaves your phone.
  • iMessage only works between Apple devices, so if you are texting an Android phone, your message will always be a regular text.
  • Check that iMessage is turned on in Settings > Messages on your iPhone, and that you have a working internet connection.
  • If iMessage is on but a specific contact's messages still arrive as texts, that person's phone may not support iMessage or may have it disabled.

Check that iMessage is turned on in your settings

iMessage is usually on by default on iPhones, but it can be turned off accidentally or disabled by a carrier setting. Open Settings, then tap Messages. Look for the toggle next to iMessage — it should be green and switched to the right. If it is gray and switched to the left, tap it to turn iMessage back on.

Your phone will take a few seconds to connect to Apple's servers. Once the toggle turns green, iMessage is active. Any message you send to another iPhone user will now go out as an iMessage, shown by a blue bubble in the conversation instead of a green one.

If the toggle is already green but your messages are still arriving as texts, move to the next section — the problem is likely with the recipient's device or your internet connection.

Make sure you have an internet connection

iMessage requires WiFi or cellular data to work. If your phone is in Airplane Mode or has no WiFi and no cellular signal, messages will automatically fall back to regular SMS texts. Check the top of your screen for the airplane icon — if you see it, swipe down from the top right corner and tap the airplane icon to turn Airplane Mode off.

If Airplane Mode is already off, check that you have WiFi or cellular bars showing. If you are on WiFi, try opening a web page to confirm the connection is working. If the connection is slow or unstable, iMessage may time out and send as a text instead. Switching to a different WiFi network or moving closer to your router usually fixes this.

Understand why some contacts always receive texts instead of iMessages

If your iMessage is on and your internet works, but messages to one specific person keep arriving as texts, that person's phone does not support iMessage or has it turned off. iMessage only works between Apple devices — if you are texting an Android phone, a Windows phone, or an older iPhone with iMessage disabled, the message will always be a regular text.

You can see which type of message you are sending by looking at the color of the text bubble in the conversation. Blue bubbles are iMessages. Green bubbles are regular texts. If the bubble is green for a contact you expected to reach via iMessage, ask them whether they have an iPhone and whether iMessage is turned on in their Messages settings.

What to do if iMessage is on but still not working

If iMessage is enabled, your internet is working, and you are texting another iPhone user, but messages are still going out as texts, try signing out of iMessage and signing back in. Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and look at the phone number and email address listed. Tap Sign Out at the bottom, wait 10 seconds, then sign back in with your Apple ID.

If signing out and back in does not work, restart your phone. Hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds, then hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo. This clears temporary connection issues that prevent iMessage from activating.

If the problem persists after a restart, contact your carrier to confirm they are not blocking iMessage traffic. Some carriers, particularly in other countries, restrict access to iMessage servers. Your carrier can tell you whether iMessage is available on your account.

The difference between iMessage and text messaging

A text message (SMS) is a standard message that works on any phone — iPhone, Android, flip phone, anything. It travels through your carrier's network and costs money if you do not have unlimited texting. Text messages are not encrypted, so they are less private than iMessages.

An iMessage is Apple's proprietary system that only works between Apple devices. It travels over the internet rather than through your carrier, so it does not use your text message allowance and is free on WiFi. iMessages are encrypted end-to-end, meaning Apple cannot read them. They also show read receipts — you can see when the other person has read your message — and support typing indicators so you know when someone is responding.

Your iPhone automatically chooses which system to use based on who you are texting. If the recipient has an iPhone with iMessage on, your message goes out as an iMessage. If they have an Android phone or an iPhone with iMessage off, your message goes out as a text. You do not have to choose — the phone decides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a message I already sent from a text to an iMessage?

No. Once a message leaves your phone, it is locked into whichever system it used. You can delete the message from your conversation, but the recipient will still have received it as a text. The only option is to send a new message, which will go out as an iMessage if the conditions are right.

Why do my messages to my friend's iPhone come out as texts?

Their iPhone either does not have iMessage turned on, or they are using a phone number that is not registered with Apple's iMessage system. Ask them to go to Settings > Messages and confirm iMessage is on. If it is already on, they may need to sign out and sign back in with their Apple ID, or restart their phone.

Do iMessages cost money?

No. iMessages use your internet connection, not your text message plan, so they are free on WiFi or cellular data. Regular text messages may count against your plan depending on your carrier, though most plans include unlimited texting now.

What happens if I send an iMessage to someone without an iPhone?

Your iPhone will automatically send it as a regular text instead. You will not see any warning — the message will just arrive as a green bubble in your conversation instead of blue. The recipient will receive it normally on their Android or other non-Apple device.

Why is my iMessage taking so long to send?

iMessage relies on your internet connection. If your WiFi or data is slow, the message may take longer to send or may fail and fall back to a text. Try moving closer to your WiFi router, switching to a different network, or waiting a few seconds for your data connection to stabilize. If the message fails, your phone will ask whether you want to send it as a text instead.