iCloud iMessage via AppleID or Phone Number

[RumorConsumer]

I have been thinking more and more about using iMessage with my email address versus my phone number. John Siracusa on the Accidental Tech Podcast made the case for it a while ago that basically communications are moving away from IDs tied to things like phone numbers and more to email addresses. I can't exactly recall the rest of the conversation but it got me thinking. I like my phone number. I don't want everybody I message to know my email as well necessarily. Anybody have a compelling reason to switch to email address?

 

[Apple_Robert]

There is no compelling reason unless you are texting someone and you aren't sure if you want / should divulge personal information that could allow them to find out / trace more bout you. In that scenario, a temporary email address would work better. When applying for jobs, I would use a throw-away.

 

[russell_314]

I think the phone number makes more sense because what happens if that person changes phones or somehow doesn't have a data connection. To me what sets imessage above all the other Whatsapp messengers is that it doesn't require me to give an email address. I can say text me at 765-8309 and I get the message. I don't need to ask hey what brand of phone are you using.

 

[nosnhojm]

Phone number is better. If apple services are down or you switch to a non-apple device, a phone number will still work (via SMS fallback).

 

[RumorConsumer]

To all of you who are saying phone number is better, your SMS will always go over the phone number. If Apple services are down including iMessage, you're not getting iMessage out via email OR phone number. So I think thats not a valid argument for using phone numbers.

 

[nosnhojm]

To all of you who are saying phone number is better, your SMS will always go over the phone number. If Apple services are down including iMessage, you're not getting iMessage out via email OR phone number. So I think thats not a valid argument for using phone numbers.

Outgoing, yes. Incoming, no (if your contacts are sending to your email address).

Scenario...your phone breaks and need to put your sim in a temporary Android phone. In this case, your contacts can still message you via SMS (they have your phone number). You may need to deregister your phone number from imessage, but you don't need to send all of your contacts a new contact method.

 

[RumorConsumer]

Outgoing, yes. Incoming, no (if your contacts are sending to your email address).

Scenario...your phone breaks and need to put your sim in a temporary Android phone. In this case, your contacts can still message you via SMS (they have your phone number). You may need to deregister your phone number from imessage, but you don't need to send all of your contacts a new contact method.

Yeah ok. This scenario seems most applicable to a world where you can get your hands on an Android phone but not an iPhone. And one where you are using a physical SIM 😂. I dont know if I see it. Know what I mean?

 

[nosnhojm]

Yeah ok. This scenario seems most applicable to a world where you can get your hands on an Android phone but not an iPhone. And one where you are using a physical SIM 😂. I dont know if I see it. Know what I mean?

Or you could permanently switch to Android.

My point is that your contacts already have your phone number (for actual phone calls), and your phone number also works for iMessage and SMS. By instead using an email address, you introduce complexity for no real benefit. How do your friends know to message you via your email address vs your phone number? What happens if they select the wrong one?

Also, phone number or email address...they are both tying your iMessage identity to your alias for an outdated mode of communication. If we had some sort of universal (and immutable) Apple Identity, that could be neat.

 

[RumorConsumer]

Or you could permanently switch to Android.

My point is that your contacts already have your phone number (for actual phone calls), and your phone number also works for iMessage and SMS. By instead using an email address, you introduce complexity for no real benefit. How do your friends know to message you via your email address vs your phone number? What happens if they select the wrong one?

Also, phone number or email address...they are both tying your iMessage identity to your alias for an outdated mode of communication. If we had some sort of universal (and immutable) Apple Identity, that could be neat.

Ok i hear you, but this assumes I would have friends with who don’t use iMessage 😂