Text messages on iPhone can come in various formats and types, each with its features and purposes:
- Apple Platform (iPhone , iPad, and Mac)
- iMessage: This is Apple's proprietary messaging service, available only between Apple devices. iMessages are sent over Wi-Fi or cellular data, rather than traditional SMS networks. iMessage offers enhanced features such as read receipts, typing indicators, multimedia support (photos, videos, etc.), and end-to-end encryption for privacy. These messages appear in blue bubbles in the Messages app.
- Carrier (Cellular Service Provider)
- SMS (Short Message Service): SMS is the traditional text message format used on all mobile phones. It is limited to 160 characters and is sent over the cellular network. SMS does not require an internet connection, but it also lacks features like media sharing or real-time typing indicators. Messages sent via SMS appear in green bubbles on an iPhone.
- MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service): MMS allows users to send multimedia content, like images, videos, and audio, along with text messages. Unlike SMS, MMS requires a data connection. MMS messages also appear in green bubbles on iPhones, as they are sent over the cellular network instead of Apple's iMessage system.
- RCS (Rich Communication Services): RCS is a modern messaging protocol designed to replace SMS and MMS, offering features similar to iMessage, such as high-quality media sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and more. It is supported by some Android phones and mobile carriers, though not yet universally available. RCS can be used in messaging apps that support it, but it is not natively integrated into Apple's Messages app at the moment.
- Third-Party Text Messaging Apps: Apart from iMessage, iPhone users can install and use various third-party messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Signal, and more. These apps typically use internet connections (Wi-Fi or data) to send messages and offer additional features like voice and video calls, group chats, file sharing, and security features (like end-to-end encryption). These messages are usually separate from iMessages and are managed within their own app.
Each of these types of messages may have different behaviors, settings, and limitations depending on the network, device, or app being used.