Tell me more ×
Ask Different is a question and answer site for power users of Apple hardware and software. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 2 down vote favorite

I opened my contacts, clicked my friend's name and using his email, sent him a message. My friend's email is associated with an apple account. Yet when the message was delivered, it turned green. Does it mean that I was charged for the message? Is it necessary that the sender is charged whenever the message turns green? I don't have an SMS package or any other prepaid options. I have a simple AT&T plan with limited talk time and 300 MB of data.

My friend lives in a different country and uses an iPod through his home wifi.

P.S.: I have asked this question on the official Apple forum (link). I think SE is a better place for such questions.

share|improve this question

1 Answer

up vote 4 down vote accepted

When the text bubble is green instead of blue, you're sending a SMS instead of using iMessage, being, therefore, charged for that.

Messages are sent as SMS when iMessage is unavailable, unless you disable this under Settings / Messages / Send as SMS.

So, as I understand it, you either sent it to an non Apple ID email address, or the text couldn't reach the receiver through iMessage, changing to SMS mode.

share|improve this answer
Thanks for the answer! But my friends iPod is not connected to any wireless service provider (it's connected through Wi-Fi to the internet, provided by a cable company). Ergo it doesn't have a phone number. Can such a device receive or send an SMS? – Shashank Sawant Oct 15 '12 at 17:27
@ShashankSawant No, but if you send an email to a non Apple ID email, it is sent through your Carrier, as MMS, charging you for that. – Thecafremo Oct 15 '12 at 19:17

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.