You can't change a text message after you've sent it, but you can resend it as an iMessage if the recipient has an Apple device

Once a text message (SMS) leaves your phone, it's locked into that format. You cannot edit it or convert it to iMessage after delivery. However, if you sent a regular text to someone with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can delete the message from your conversation and send it again as an iMessage instead. iMessage will only work if both you and the recipient are using Apple devices and both have iMessage turned on.

The difference matters because iMessage uses data or Wi-Fi instead of your cellular plan, shows read receipts, and includes features like typing indicators and message reactions. Regular text messages (SMS) work on any phone but lack these features. If you need to resend something important as an iMessage, the process takes less than a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • Text messages cannot be converted after sending; you must delete and resend the message as an iMessage.
  • iMessage only works between Apple devices when both people have iMessage enabled in Settings.
  • To resend as iMessage, open the conversation, press and hold the message, tap Delete, then type and send it again.
  • If a message shows in green, it sent as SMS; if it shows in blue, it sent as iMessage.
  • Check that iMessage is turned on in Settings > Messages > iMessage before resending.

How to tell if a message sent as SMS or iMessage

The color of the message bubble tells you which format was used. Open any conversation in the Messages app and look at the message you sent. If the bubble is green, it sent as a regular text message (SMS). If the bubble is blue, it sent as an iMessage.

A green bubble usually means the recipient doesn't have an Apple device, doesn't have iMessage turned on, or doesn't have a working internet connection. Your phone automatically falls back to SMS in these cases. You can also see the delivery status by pressing and holding the message — it will show "Delivered" for SMS or "Delivered as iMessage" for iMessage.

Steps to delete and resend a message as iMessage

First, make sure iMessage is enabled on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Messages and toggle iMessage to the on position (it should be green). If it's already on, move to the next step.

Open the Messages app and find the conversation containing the message you want to resend. Press and hold the message bubble until a menu appears. Tap Delete or Remove (the wording depends on your iOS version). The message will disappear from the conversation.

Now type the message again in the text field at the bottom of the screen and tap Send. If the recipient has an Apple device with iMessage enabled, the new message should appear in a blue bubble. If it appears in green, the recipient's device doesn't support iMessage or iMessage is not enabled on their end.

Why a message might send as SMS instead of iMessage

Your iPhone chooses the format automatically based on what it knows about the recipient. If the recipient's phone number or Apple ID is not registered with Apple's iMessage service, your phone sends SMS instead. This is common when someone has an older iPhone, uses an Android phone, or has iMessage turned off.

Sometimes iMessage fails temporarily due to network issues. If you have a weak data connection or Wi-Fi is unstable, your phone may fall back to SMS to ensure the message gets through. Once the connection improves, future messages to that contact may send as iMessage again.

If you recently switched from Android to iPhone, your phone number may not be fully registered with Apple's system yet. This can take a few hours to a few days. In the meantime, messages to Android users or people with older iPhones will send as SMS, which is the correct behavior.

What to check if iMessage is not working

Go to Settings > Messages and confirm that iMessage is toggled on. If it's off, turn it on and wait a few seconds for it to activate. You should see "iMessage Activated" appear briefly on the screen.

Check that you have an active internet connection. iMessage requires either Wi-Fi or cellular data to work. If you're in airplane mode or have Wi-Fi and cellular both disabled, iMessage cannot send. Turn on Wi-Fi or cellular data and try again.

Confirm that the person you're messaging also has iMessage enabled on their device. You can ask them directly or check their device settings. If they have an iPhone but iMessage is off, messages will arrive as SMS even if yours is enabled.

If iMessage still won't activate after toggling it on, sign out of your Apple ID in Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, then sign back in. This refreshes your iMessage registration with Apple's servers. Wait a few minutes after signing back in before trying to send an iMessage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a text message after I send it?

No. Once a text message or iMessage leaves your phone, you cannot edit it. You can only delete it from your own conversation view, which doesn't remove it from the recipient's phone. If you need to correct something, delete the original message and send a new one with the correct information.

What's the difference between iMessage and SMS?

iMessage uses data or Wi-Fi and only works between Apple devices. SMS is a standard text message that works on any phone. iMessage shows read receipts and typing indicators; SMS does not. iMessage messages appear in blue bubbles, SMS in green.

Will the recipient know I deleted and resent a message?

No. When you delete a message from your phone, it only disappears from your view. The recipient still has the original message. When you resend it, they receive a new, separate message. They won't see any indication that you deleted the first one unless you tell them.

Why do some messages to my friend show as green and others as blue?

This usually means iMessage is unreliable on their device or network. When their phone loses internet connection, your messages fall back to SMS (green). When the connection returns, messages may send as iMessage (blue) again. Ask them to check their Wi-Fi or cellular connection if this happens frequently.

Can I turn off iMessage for just one contact?

No. iMessage is an all-or-nothing setting in your Messages app. However, you can send SMS to someone with an Apple device by opening the conversation, pressing and holding a message, and selecting "Send as Text Message" (available on some iOS versions). This sends that single message as SMS without changing your overall iMessage setting.