Character count doesn't work on iphone 5

[Anonymous]

I have switched on the character count on my iPhone 5 as I am going abroad and want to keep texts to 160 characters. But it worked only on the first text and now nothing despite turning on and off etc. Anyone else have this problem or have any ideas? DD

[jonsie · Accepted solution]

As far as I'm aware the character count doesn't appear until you reach a second line of the text message ie. after you have input around 25 characters. Have you checked on a longer text message?

[Anonymous]

Thank you that's it! I was being too hasty. Quite right it doesn't start until second line. Brilliant, thanks Jonsie

[jonsie]

You're welcome, glad to help

[Anonymous]

I have iPhone 5 with iOS 8.1.3.  I have character count switched on but cannot see any sign of the number of characters I have typed in even after typing three or more lines of text. What am I missing ? 

[MI5]

Try resetting the phone by holding home + power until the apple logo appears.

[jonsie]

Are you definitely sending as sms or as imessage? It won't show in imessage and only shows after 25 letters/characters in text messages.