Unexpected problem switching from iOS to Android - people keep iMessaging me

[Leros]

I just made the switch from iOS to Android and I've been really enjoying Android, but I'm noticing a fairly big problem. About half of my friends and family have iPhones and so iMessage was used whenever we texted. Now that I'm using an Android phone, they're apparently still using iMessage by default when they text me. Obviously I'm not getting these iMessages on my new Android phone.

Is there a way to deal with this other than asking everybody (including tech illiterate people) to make sure they're texting and not using iMessage? If I can't fix this, I might have to go back to using iOS.

 

[Crono]

Sounds like their problem not yours. Text back some gibberish and at the end put a tag that says [requires Android 4.X to view].

Otherwise tell them to use some proper cross-platform messaging app. There are quite a few now.

 

[s44]

This is why I keep telling people to turn off iMessage via iTunes BEFORE ditching the iDevice.

There's still a way to get yourself off the Apple db of iMessage users, I think, but I can't tell you offhand. Doing this will solve it without making any individuals change their habits.

 

[Leros]

This is why I keep telling people to turn off iMessage via iTunes BEFORE ditching the iDevice.

There's still a way to get yourself off the Apple db of iMessage users, I think, but I can't tell you offhand. Doing this will solve it without making any individuals change their habits.

The problem, I've still got an iPad that I use, but I don't care it around with me. So all their messages are going to the iPad.

Edit: hmm.. Googled around and found some sites that suggest I turn off iMessage on my devices. I turned off iMessage on both my iPhone and iPad. People still try to send me iMessages and it looks like it sent on their end. After a few minutes they get an indicating that iMessage failed to send and gives them an option to use text. From there on out, it defaults to texting.

Looks like they have to try to send you an iMessage one time after you disable iMessage on all your devices before their phone starts using texting again. Not too bad, I guess.

 

[s44]

Lolol

Of *course* the answer is on Samsung's website:
http://m.samsung.com/us/support/SupportOwnersFAQPopup.do?faq_id=FAQ00053450&fm_seq=62995

 

[openwheel]

Stupid iMessaging. I don't understand why peopluse it. There is no value there

 

[Leros]

Stupid iMessaging. I don't understand why peopluse it. There is no value there

iPhones default to it when you send a text message to another person with an iPhone.

 

[gmaster456]

If people want to iMessage me I give them the email address and it goes to my iPod or iPad. Otherwise it's SMS.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

And THIS is why integrating SMS with mobile chat is stupid. Just keep it two separate things. We might as well integrate e-mail too and phone calls into 1 giant Hangouts app.

 

[mikegg]

Stupid iMessaging. I don't understand why peopluse it. There is no value there

It defaults to iMessage when one iPhone messages to another iPhone. Also, it's superior to text messages. iMessages are a little faster to send and receive and it doesn't count against your text messaging plan.

 

[Crono]

And THIS is why integrating SMS with mobile chat is stupid. Just keep it two separate things. We might as well integrate e-mail too and phone calls into 1 giant Hangouts app.

I was thinking the same thing. These companies think it's making things more convenient for the average user, but it's complicating things for the power user, and in the case of Google it's trying to push us to use their services more. I'm starting to get tired of the amount of data they are trying to siphon from me, even if it's to offer me more useful services. It's just starting to get annoying. Thinking of just using Android without Plus, Hangouts, and Play services.

 

[vi edit]

Stupid iMessaging. I don't understand why peopluse it. There is no value there

Actually it's quite nice. Especially if you are out of cellular range or international and can still get wifi access. You can still send & receive messages. Plus you can send from other iOS devices without cellular radios.

 

[mnewsham]

It defaults to iMessage when one iPhone messages to another iPhone. Also, it's superior to text messages. iMessages are a little faster to send and receive and it doesn't count against your text messaging plan.

it's also encrypted for those who desire that

 

[Eug]

This is another example of why I have iMessage turned off for all our iDevices.

The KISS principle applies. SMS just works as SMS. So what if I can't get an SMS on my iPad. The thing stays at home all day anyway.

Plus iMessage isn't as reliable as SMS, at least with my carrier.

 

[openwheel]

So if I switch from Android 4.4 to iOS, will I miss messages? If so then it's a problem. If not, then it's a good design.

The problem here is people switch from iOS to Android, and messages are getting lost in iMessaging

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

So if I switch from Android 4.4 to iOS, will I miss messages? If so then it's a problem. If not, then it's a good design.

The problem here is people switch from iOS to Android, and messages are getting lost in iMessaging

The difference is that Hangouts has an iOS app, but I can guarantee you almost no one I know on an iPhone uses it. Why? It's associated with Google Talk, and very few people used Gtalk on their iPhone to begin with. If they did, it was typically with clients like imo.im.

So yes, you can get the same Hangouts messages, but if you don't install Hangouts, it's likely you're screwed.

Of course knowing you, you'd make this an Apple vs. Google thing with every attempt to slam Apple. My point is this more about the challenges of integrating SMS with mobile chat. I'd prefer to keep it separate as that's the best way of ensuring SMS is delivered to a phone and mobile chat is delivered however you want to send it. Plus, there are already plenty of users who miss hangouts messages because it shows up on their computer instead of their phone.

 

[openwheel]

WTF are you talking about? No one here is "slamming Apple". Don't be so bloody insecure. There will always be difference of opinion, learn to control yourself.

So will I miss messages if I switch from Android 4.4 to iOS?
The OP is missing messages going from iOS to Android, but is the reverse true?

 

[s44]

it's also encrypted for those who desire that

Except Apple has all the keys and can eavesdrop on any convo for the government.

So will I miss messages if I switch from Android 4.4 to iOS?

No. But why would you want to?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

WTF are you talking about? No one here is "slamming Apple". Don't be so bloody insecure. There will always be difference of opinion, learn to control yourself.

So will I miss messages if I switch from Android 4.4 to iOS?
The OP is missing messages going from iOS to Android, but is the reverse true?

This insightful comment below adds zero value.

Stupid iMessaging. I don't understand why peopluse it. There is no value there

 

[ibex333]

OMG! Thank you so much OP for this thread. I had no idea and felt like bashing my head against the wall. I couldn't understand why my girlfriends texts don't get through to me. she has an iPhone and I have a GS4.

 

[mnewsham]

Except Apple has all the keys and can eavesdrop on any convo for the government.

That's a hell of a lot better than entirely unencrypted...

 

[Zaap]

This insightful comment below adds zero value.

So typical of you. You're the one who brought up Google and Hangouts in a thread about iMessages, now trying to turn it around because someone expressed an opinion you didn't like. Give it a rest.

 

[zerogear]

WTF are you talking about? No one here is "slamming Apple". Don't be so bloody insecure. There will always be difference of opinion, learn to control yourself.

So will I miss messages if I switch from Android 4.4 to iOS?
The OP is missing messages going from iOS to Android, but is the reverse true?

You will not miss messages since Android doesn't default force users into sending over their server just because they're using an Android phone.

While this may get slightly blurred with Hangout replacing SMS app in 4.4 -- But it shows clearly SMS and Hangout messages (there is a little icon on each conversation thread that designate that it is an SMS), Android doesn't automatically switch you off SMS to use their service (for now )

So typical of you. You're the one who brought up Google and Hangouts in a thread about iMessages, now trying to turn it around because someone expressed an opinion you didn't like. Give it a rest.

I was going to ask why he brought Hangout into the conversation, but seems too much like feeding the troll.

Edit, and if you don't like the Hangout being SMS -- switch it out I'm using Textra

 

[Red Storm]

To clear up the Hangouts matter, they don't behave the same. Hangouts lets you now send either chat or SMS, but it does not auto choose for you or try to merge it into one conversation. You have to choose chat or SMS which I like (also means I don't need to use Google Voice anymore!).

 

[openwheel]

OMG! Thank you so much OP for this thread. I had no idea and felt like bashing my head against the wall. I couldn't understand why my girlfriends texts don't get through to me. she has an iPhone and I have a GS4.

I can't imagine the $@%^ you had to suffer through....
If I don't reply to the boss in a reasonable amount of time, I get to sleep in the dog house....