I live outside of the United States but I’m from there. I like the bubble colors so I can make sure I’m sending free iMessages instead of paid sms messages.
It’s unclear whether rcs will charge for international texts.
I understand your aversion to trying it and getting charged - but like iMessage, RCS messages aren’t sent by T-Mobile* (which is probably why you can’t find anything on how much it costs).
*Unless you send it over mobile data
Both RCS and iMessage work like Whatsapp or any other “data” driving application where it’s WiFi/Mobile data to send the message. SMS costs you money because it’s sent over cellular only.
However, an easy way to test without getting charged would be to enable airplane mode and then only turn on WiFi. Once you’ve done that, try sending an RCS message over Google messages.
Remember, RCS only works when the recipient also has Google Messages* and you’ll need to have WiFi calling enabled.
You’re kind of missing or at least avoiding my point.
You point is that you’re an Apple user sending iMessages (which is your admission in an earlier comment) instead of being an Android user in an Android community who could ask his friend “Hey guys, since I’m abroad I need to pay international charges for texts. Could you please do me a favor and install Signal so I can reach you without going bakrupt from chatting? Thanks a lot.”
Inside or outside the US? That’s the trick. In my experience, the US uses a lot of SMS but also usually have unlimited plans. Most other places don’t use SMS, pay for it…but have cheaper and less capped data.
Most mobile operators in the UK have stopped with SMS limits (unless you’re on the really really cheap plans or PAYG). Guess people just don’t use them enough to warrant caps on it.
That’s because iMessage (blue bubbles) has a whole host of built in features that regular SMS doesn’t have. Read receipts, typing indicators, spoiler text, full quality media attachments, doodling, animated emojis, etc… As soon as an android user joins the group chat, everyone gets downgraded to regular SMS (green bubbles) and has a noticeably worse experience.
Yes, it’s Apple’s fault for not playing nice with android, and intentionally using an older version of texting (SMS). But the “bullying” is because everyone in the group chat suddenly has to deal with the lack of features, and starts complaining.
It’d be like if Discord allowed any user to disable emojis, media uploads, reactions, etc for every single server they’re a part of. Every single server would hate them for it.
I understand the reason, and I understand the possible solutions, and I also understand that Apple benefits from picking the one that pressures kids into spending a few grand on their devices instead of supporting and mutually improving RCS.
I hope this leads to Apple dropping their bullying-inducing bubble color nonsense.
I live outside of the United States but I’m from there. I like the bubble colors so I can make sure I’m sending free iMessages instead of paid sms messages.
It’s unclear whether rcs will charge for international texts.
If your iMessages are currently free it’s because you’re using WiFi to send them (or you have a data allotment).
RCS already supports messages over WiFi (& data) already, so it wouldn’t cost you either.
I tried to find information on it from the t-mobile website and could not. I’m not sure I trust the carrier to not charge me for rcs.
I understand your aversion to trying it and getting charged - but like iMessage, RCS messages aren’t sent by T-Mobile* (which is probably why you can’t find anything on how much it costs).
Both RCS and iMessage work like Whatsapp or any other “data” driving application where it’s WiFi/Mobile data to send the message. SMS costs you money because it’s sent over cellular only.
However, an easy way to test without getting charged would be to enable airplane mode and then only turn on WiFi. Once you’ve done that, try sending an RCS message over Google messages.
Remember, RCS only works when the recipient also has Google Messages* and you’ll need to have WiFi calling enabled.
Technically, it looks like the default messaging app might work for T-Mobile users.
Signal is free for everyone.
Ok I’ll give you my contact list. Let me know once you convinced them to switch.
Murican approach to privacy.
You’re kind of missing or at least avoiding my point.
You point is that you’re an Apple user sending iMessages (which is your admission in an earlier comment) instead of being an Android user in an Android community who could ask his friend “Hey guys, since I’m abroad I need to pay international charges for texts. Could you please do me a favor and install Signal so I can reach you without going bakrupt from chatting? Thanks a lot.”
Who pays per SMS anymore?
Who sends SMS anymore?
Inside or outside the US? That’s the trick. In my experience, the US uses a lot of SMS but also usually have unlimited plans. Most other places don’t use SMS, pay for it…but have cheaper and less capped data.
Most mobile operators in the UK have stopped with SMS limits (unless you’re on the really really cheap plans or PAYG). Guess people just don’t use them enough to warrant caps on it.
We stopped paying per SMS years and years ago in Sweden.
Of all the things carriers stupidly charge money for, we couldn’t get the one that would actually improve things.
People who don’t live in the US anymore but still need to message people in the US.
RCS doesn’t charge for international texts on Android. I’ve used it for international texting.
Thanks! I kinda assumed that it wouldn’t. But I also know how telecoms try to charge for everything.
It’s not unclear. RCS is not SMS in the same way that iMessage is not SMS, so why would you be charged for it?
That’s because iMessage (blue bubbles) has a whole host of built in features that regular SMS doesn’t have. Read receipts, typing indicators, spoiler text, full quality media attachments, doodling, animated emojis, etc… As soon as an android user joins the group chat, everyone gets downgraded to regular SMS (green bubbles) and has a noticeably worse experience.
Yes, it’s Apple’s fault for not playing nice with android, and intentionally using an older version of texting (SMS). But the “bullying” is because everyone in the group chat suddenly has to deal with the lack of features, and starts complaining.
It’d be like if Discord allowed any user to disable emojis, media uploads, reactions, etc for every single server they’re a part of. Every single server would hate them for it.
I understand the reason, and I understand the possible solutions, and I also understand that Apple benefits from picking the one that pressures kids into spending a few grand on their devices instead of supporting and mutually improving RCS.
It’s user hostile, and it sucks.