You can't change a message after you've sent it, but you can resend it as an iMessage if the original went out as a regular text

Once a text message leaves your phone, it stays in the format it was sent in. If you sent a regular SMS or MMS message to someone with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you cannot convert that message to iMessage after the fact. However, you can delete the message and send it again as an iMessage, provided iMessage is turned on and the recipient's device supports it.

The real issue most people face is that iMessage isn't working when they expect it to, so messages go out as regular texts instead. This usually means iMessage is turned off, the recipient isn't registered for iMessage, or there's a connection problem. Understanding why a message sent as text in the first place will help you prevent it from happening again.

Key Takeaways

  • Messages already sent cannot be changed from SMS to iMessage, but you can delete and resend them if iMessage is enabled on your device.
  • iMessage only works between Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) and requires both people to have iMessage turned on and registered with Apple.
  • If your messages keep going out as texts, check that iMessage is enabled in Settings, you have an internet connection, and the recipient's device supports iMessage.
  • A green message bubble means SMS or MMS (regular text), while a blue bubble means iMessage — this visual tells you which service actually sent the message.

Check whether iMessage is turned on for your account

iMessage must be enabled on your iPhone before any message can send as iMessage. Open Settings, tap Messages, and look for the iMessage toggle at the top. If it's off (gray), tap it to turn it on (green). Your phone will connect to Apple's servers and register your phone number and Apple ID with iMessage.

This registration can take a few minutes. If you just turned iMessage on, wait a moment and then try sending a message to someone with an iPhone. If the message bubble appears blue, iMessage is working. If it appears green, iMessage either isn't fully registered yet or the recipient's device doesn't support it.

Confirm the recipient can receive iMessages

iMessage only works when both people have it enabled. The recipient must have an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) with iMessage turned on. If you're texting someone with an Android phone, a basic phone, or an older device, their phone cannot receive iMessages — your message will automatically send as a regular text instead, and there's nothing you can do to change that.

You can tell which service sent your message by looking at the bubble color: blue bubbles are iMessages, green bubbles are regular SMS or MMS texts. If you consistently see green bubbles when texting someone with an iPhone, ask them to check their Settings and confirm iMessage is on. They may also need to sign out of iMessage and sign back in if it's not working.

Make sure you have an active internet connection

iMessage travels over the internet (WiFi or cellular data), not through your phone's text message plan. If your internet connection drops while you're sending a message, your phone will fall back to SMS automatically. Check that WiFi is connected or that you have cellular data enabled. If you're in an area with poor signal, your phone may send as text even though iMessage is on.

If you notice messages going out as green (text) in a specific location, the problem is likely your connection there. Move to an area with better WiFi or cellular signal and try again. Once iMessage reconnects, new messages will send as blue iMessages.

Delete and resend a message as iMessage

If you sent a message as text and want to resend it as iMessage, open the conversation, press and hold the message, and tap Delete. Make sure iMessage is on and you have an internet connection, then type the message again and send it. This time it should appear as a blue iMessage bubble.

This only works if the recipient has an Apple device with iMessage on. If they don't, the message will send as green text again no matter how many times you try. In that case, the format is determined by their device type, not by anything you can change.

Understand why messages sometimes send as text even with iMessage on

Even when iMessage is enabled, your phone will send a message as regular text if: the recipient's phone number isn't registered with iMessage, their device is temporarily offline, iMessage servers are having issues, or you don't have an internet connection at the moment you hit send. Your phone makes this choice automatically to make sure the message gets through.

If this happens often with the same person, ask them to restart their iPhone or check their iMessage settings. If it happens with everyone, restart your own phone and check that iMessage is still on. Sometimes iMessage registration gets stuck and a restart fixes it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some of my messages to the same person send as blue and others as green?

Blue means iMessage worked that time; green means it didn't. This usually happens because the recipient's device was offline when you sent the green message, or their iMessage registration dropped temporarily. It's not something you did wrong — it's just how the system handles connection issues.

Can I force a message to send as iMessage instead of text?

No. Your phone automatically chooses based on whether the recipient's device is registered for iMessage and whether you have an internet connection. You can only control whether iMessage is on or off on your own phone. If the recipient has an Android phone, messages will always be green text.

What's the difference between iMessage and SMS?

iMessage is encrypted and uses the internet; SMS is a standard text message that uses your phone plan. iMessage shows read receipts and typing indicators, works over WiFi, and is free. SMS costs money if you don't have unlimited texting, but works on any phone.

If I turn off iMessage, will old messages disappear?

No. Turning iMessage off only affects new messages going forward. All your old conversations stay in the Messages app. When you turn iMessage back on, new messages will send as iMessage again if the recipient supports it.

Why is my message still green after I turned iMessage on?

iMessage registration takes a few minutes after you turn it on. Wait a few minutes, then try sending again. If it's still green, the recipient either doesn't have iMessage on or their device doesn't support it. Ask them to check their settings.