iMessage - Downside of disabling?

[dmk1974]

To preface, I have an iPhone, iPad, and Mac Mini that I frequently use. iMessage and text forwarding setup is pretty slick in that now I can see all texts from Apple or Android users on all 3 devices.

A few years ago, iMessage was awesome because when the kids had iPods, they could text me (when connected to wifi of course) and messages would show on all of my devices. But now, since they have iPhones, and with the text forwarding, I get all messages from everyone now when sent to my iPhone telephone number (I don't think anyone sends to my Apple ID via iMessage anymore).

Is there a downside if I were to disable iMessage completely on my phone and devices? I guess my first question is...does disabling iMessage kill text forwarding? I don't really care if my texts are "blue" or "green". As long as they all come through of course. I currently have some group chats that are mixed with Android users and as far as I can tell, everything comes through ok....even on my Mac Mini.

Just wanted to see if I'm missing a key feature if iMessage...especially if the text forwarding is tied to it. Thanks!

 

[Paddle1]

You won't be able to see when other people are typing or have Read Receipts. If you don't have unlimited/global texting you could get additional charges.

 

[dmk1974]

You won't be able to see when other people are typing or have Read Receipts. If you don't have unlimited/global texting you could get additional charges.

Thanks for the quick reply. You are right...in the single-person chat window, I won't see the little (....) balloon to know they are typing. But even now in some chat groups that I know are both iMessage, I don't see that when there is more than 1 other person. So not too big of a deal.

It is nice to see when the other end has "delivered" or "read", but I disable it on mine so not too big of a deal.

I have T-Mobile so we have unlimited texting so ok there.



My main concern is if it screws up the text forwarding to all the other devices or not.

 

[Armen]

To preface, I have an iPhone, iPad, and Mac Mini that I frequently use. iMessage and text forwarding setup is pretty slick in that now I can see all texts from Apple or Android users on all 3 devices.

A few years ago, iMessage was awesome because when the kids had iPods, they could text me (when connected to wifi of course) and messages would show on all of my devices. But now, since they have iPhones, and with the text forwarding, I get all messages from everyone now when sent to my iPhone telephone number (I don't think anyone sends to my Apple ID via iMessage anymore).

Is there a downside if I were to disable iMessage completely on my phone and devices? I guess my first question is...does disabling iMessage kill text forwarding? I don't really care if my texts are "blue" or "green". As long as they all come through of course. I currently have some group chats that are mixed with Android users and as far as I can tell, everything comes through ok....even on my Mac Mini.

Just wanted to see if I'm missing a key feature if iMessage...especially if the text forwarding is tied to it. Thanks!

Are all of you using the same Apple ID? If so, you shouldn't. You should setup individual Apple ID's for each person and then create a family sharing account.

 

[NoBoMac]

If you disable iMessages, message forwarding is turned off as well (just confirmed on my device).

 

[dmk1974]

Are all of you using the same Apple ID? If so, you shouldn't. You should setup individual Apple ID's for each person and then create a family sharing account.

No, we all have our own Apple IDs on different devices. I do have family sharing setup as well so I can approve any of the kids app purchases.
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If you disable iMessages, message forwarding is turned off as well (just confirmed on my device).

Thanks...that answers my key question. Sounds like no harm just leaving it on.

 

[alphonseM]

Just remember to disable it here and not just on your phone:
https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage

 

[iOSUser7]

With iMessage you can also send and receive high quality pictures compared to standard MMS.

 

[C DM]

Well, there's the ability to send and receive messages while on WiFi only (when there's no cellular connection).

 

[AppleFan91]

I know for me and my family, there's 7 of us (aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, etc.) and we all have iPhones so it's awesome to have iMessage group chats.

 

[KUguardgrl13]

In my experience turning off iMessage messes up group texts between iPhones. My whole family has iPhones. My mom has turned off iMessage, but I can't force my phone to send or reply to group messages with SMS when including my dad who does have iMessage enabled (as do I).

 

[gsmornot]

iMessage is encrypted. You can send info you normally may not want to send via SMS like credit card info or social security info when needed. If you notice in settings, you will see that you are likely setup to start new conversations from your mobile number and most people send to your mobile number already but the forwarding is handling the connection.