Sending As iMessage Instead Of Text

[gemz4the1]

My mum decided to swap back to Samsung from Apple (for the 3rd time!). The problem is my phone keeps trying to send an iMessage to her. I turned off iMessage on her old phone and signed her out of Apple and iTunes before I reset her phone. I have tried deleting all of her details off my phone and even removing her number from my history and when I re-add from scratch it still comes up blue and tries to send all messages as an iMessage.

I know I can press the message whilst it's trying to send as an iMessage and select it to send as a text, but do I really have to do this every time I try to send a message?

Any ideas?

[gemz4the1]

Another call to Apple today.

I had to go through everything again - all of the informaiton I had already told them, as well as going through all of the processes again (with the same advisor as last time!).

My mum did the sim swap with a new sim and it is still the same.

After going through the route of turning off iMessage, resetting phone, deleting contact, etc, I was then told that 'it's more than likely' going to be the provisions from O2 are set to iMessage on her number.

The advisor said that he would forward this to technical support - I told him that this has apparently already been done 3 or 4 times and I have had no response from it - the advisor apologised.

All I can do is contact O2 to ask about the provisions on the number - which is something I have never heard of before.

So it is still not sorted 😞

As always, I will keep you updated.

[gemz4the1]

I have just spoke to O2 Customer Service on the phone.

I told the advisor that Apple are claiming that the number must have iMessage provisions on it.  (Apple have already confirmed that the issue is not at my end at that it is at their end - even though they still claim that the number is not in their server - but it clearly is if the number is recognised as an iPhone).

The advisor went through all of the settings with me and also told me to delete and re-input the service number.  I was then told to turn the phone off and on again.

It has made no difference and still having the problem of sending as iMessage! 😞

I give up - I've told my mum to get an iPhone again!!!

[Anonymous]

Your joking Gem I thought this would be well sorted by now

[gemz4the1]

So did I 😞

It's annoying - takes ages for any iPhone user to text my mum.

I'm almost certain that it's an issue with Apple (i.e. the number is somewhere in their server), yet they are trying to find other excuses.

[Anonymous]

It certainly sounds like it to me

[davethorp]

May be worth dropping an email to the CEO tcook@apple.com given the length of time this has been going on for. I emailed him when I had an issue with an Apple Store purchase and it got passed on to someone in executive office in Ireland who was very helpful, solved my issue and has remained a point of contact for me for future issues

[Anonymous]

Great suggestion Dave

[gemz4the1]

Sorry I have only just read your messages.

Had another chat with Apple yesterday - still nothing sorted.  Went through everything again and it still was not working.  Getting frustrated with this! Ended up ordering another iPhone instead as it is a joke trying to contact my mum through text.

I told the Apple advisor that my mum is having to buy another iPhone due to this and he was not bothered - he was just said he was glad the issue was sorted - which it wasn't - getting another iPhone is a last resort.

However, I will still try your suggestion of contacting someone higher up at Apple about this.

I know it is not the solution that anybody wanted, but right now it is the only thing that I can think of as every other possible avenue has been tried.

Thanks for all of your help

[gemz4the1]

Hi @davethorp ,

I took your advise and sent an email to the address that you provided, however I have not received a response or even an automated acknowledgement that they have received my email.  I'm not sure of the timescales but surely I should of got a response by now?

Do you or any other members have any alternative email addresses for Apple?

[davethorp]

Yeah I'd have expected a response by now. I got a response within 24 hours. Admittedly it was for a different kind of issue but still.

Dunno what else to suggest really