Apple iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.)

[sgl]

Hi Folks

I'm having an issue with the iMessage service on my iPhone 4.

Basically, they always send fine with no problems.  However, if someone sends me one (or I send one to another O2 user) they don't come through, and instead 'time-out' after 5ish mins and go as a standard text message.

This doesn't happen all the time - but when it does it is behaves like this for the rest of that day.  If I toggle airplane mode on/off this often fixes it.

I have also noticed exactly the same thing happening on my partners O2 iPhone, and friends report the same issue.  Hence, I don't think it's my iPhone or anything to do with my account, more like something not configured properly in the O2 network?  

If I switch SIM to a Vodafone or Orange one, messages arrive correctly (although when sending to an O2 user they don't always get delivered and get sent as a text).

Anyone else experiencing this?  Anyone know what's going on?

Thanks

[darrengf Level 18: Posting pro]

I have noticed this but I'm afraid it's nothing to do with O2 as such. When you send a iMessage it can go over either the O2 data network or wifi However if u send a iMessage and the other persons phone is in standby (on but not used in a wihile) then when you send a iMessage, if the person at the other end isn't got a fast enough data or the there is a slight problem in delivering it , the the message is returned from apple and told to send as a SMS I've found this to happen when some one is at home, phone was on wifi then not used in a while and then wifi goes on standby to save power when the screen is of and the phone is back on the network data. It has happened to me on other networks but as 90% of my friends with iPhones are on O2 it does happen slightly more on occasionswith O2. Try to establish if the person is on wifi or was using wifi and then the phone is in standby. Are they all iPhone 4 and 4s as I only have Noticed it more with 3GS. However the issue im affraid with O2 but more on apple sending the message which is then returning it to O2 to send as a safe guard which I like You can however also switch the feature of and force apple to delivery it, you could try that? Go into settings, message and switch of delivery by SMS if fails. Let me know how u get on

[sgl]

Hi Darren, thanks for your reply. Yeah, when on WiFi it all works correctly but as you say when in standby the wifi connection is switched off. The thing is I can be sat with full, fast speed 3G signal and iMessages still don't come through. I understand if I had no signal or no data connection they should come as SMS, but it's terribly unreliable as it is. We have only fairly recently moved from Vodafone and had previously had no problems sending each other iMessages ever. Only saw the 'sent as text message' a couple of times when she was out of coverage. Did see it more often when iMessaging O2 users but thought nothing of it at the time. I did try turning the send as text setting off for a few days. Just meant that the messages were delivered hours after they were sent. O2's suggestion was to turn iMessage off. At least this way I have reliable messaging every day, not just some days. Regretting the move from Vodafone at the moment.

[darrengf Level 18: Posting pro]

Sorry you regretting the move. We folks in the forum will try to make up for the move from Vodafone 😜and will always try to help out. Yes I've noticed it when my friends are on 3G as well but only in certain places. But it seems to work on 2g better which is always puzzling. It's possible the switching facility of the phone from wifi to O2 which is then possibly causing a delay. Try as a test iswitching 3G of on the phone and see if they come through fine in 2g mode. Most of O2 tariffs are with unlimited SMS so if you have one of them you shouldn't need to worry. Never give up hope though Oh one thing I forgot to ask, do you know the make of the routers or your broadband provider. One of my friends had a similar issue that's all, and his was caused by his phone trying to connect to a local btfon (bt hotspot) all the time. He told the phone to ignore the btfon and hasn't had a problem since.

[davethorp Level 5: Ponderer]

iMessage can be a bit flakey on occasion I've found. I'm on 3 for my personal mobile and have had problems using iMessage on occasion so whatever problem there is isnt just limited to O2

[Grayburn]

Had the same problems as sgl on many occasions, me and the Mrs don't use it now.

[buonacorsi]

After testing I have deduced the following: O2 Throttles iMessage because it loses money from SMS.

Reasoning: Try getting two iPhones (3GS/4/4S) and turn data connections for Network off. Use only on wifi. You will find imessage works perfectly.

I talk with my girlfriend every night on imessage for hours. If I have the data connection (2G due to area) turning on, iMessage is unreliable and is slow at delivering messages, and my girlfriend can't even get her messages to me (she only uses the wifi anyway as she doesn't want to pay for data package). Now, iMessage uses Cellular Data by default, as it is commonly thought by whomever, that the Carrier Networks are more secure than the average person's wifi. It will ONLY use wifi, if the Data connection is turned off completely (or you are in an area where you get no data coverage at all). So in summary, iMessage will use cellular data connection whether wifi is turned on or not, and will ONLY use wifi if cellular data connection is not there.

I turn data connection off when I am at home on wifi, and bang, imessage sends lighting quick, our conversations flow like any normal IM application, and I never have any issue.

As soon as i turn o2 data connection on BANG, even in the centre of London, connected to a 3G network, imessage failed repeatedly.

The operators, whether they admit it or not, are throttling the connection, because all of those IP packets that should be charged for as SMS (yes, the secret is out, they are just IP packets just like any other data stream on the Internet), are now going through Apple's data service that they do not charge for.

In short, the networks think if they make it difficult for you to use free data, you will go back to using SMS and be charged for it.

AT&T do the same thing in the states, as does probably every network in the world.

So, to use iMessage flawlessly, turn off those money-hungry data connections and use the wifi when you can... you won't have any issues (or many at least).

It is not Apple's fault, iMessage is not flawed or flaky. It's the Networks. Try it, as I said. Two iPhones using iMessage both ONLY on wifi, no data connection (turn it off in Settings > General > Network)... and you too shall see.