Have you seen your blue iMessage turn to a green SMS? You’re in good company. From the West Coast to Indianapolis, users see their messages change. The reason? It might be travel, internet access, or poor cell service.
When using apps like EZ Texting across devices, you might notice a change. A notification like “sent as SMS via server” signals a message sent from a different device, like a computer. EZ Texting makes sending texts easy, even offering tools for managing contacts and checking performance.
Understanding ‘Sent as SMS via Server’
Messaging today has lots of new features. Yet, sometimes, you see ‘Sent as SMS via server’ on your phone. This makes you wonder about its meaning and how it affects texting.
What Does ‘Sent as SMS via Server’ Mean?
‘Sent as SMS via Server’ means a message is sent using a server. This happens with Google Android’s RCS, which allows for sending pictures and seeing when someone is typing. Unlike old SMS, RCS lets you send clear images and talk in group chats. But, it only works on Androids with internet.
Causes Behind ‘Sent as SMS via Server’
Why do you see ‘Sent as SMS via server’? Here are some reasons:
- If you’re trying to send an RCS message to a phone that doesn’t support it, like iPhones or old cell phones, this happens.
- This also shows up if someone turned off their RCS chats.
- Or if the person you’re texting isn’t online, server messaging won’t work.
- Updating your Android to the latest version can cause this message.
- It might also be due to mobile network problems or if someone blocked you.
Handling ‘Sent as SMS via Server’ might seem tricky. You can go back to seeing normal text delivery reports. Turn on SMS Delivery Reports or clean the app’s cache. But, if you turn off RCS, messages won’t be private and sending pictures could use more data.
Traditional SMS vs. RCS Messaging
Let’s explore the main differences between SMS and RCS. Each has its own benefits and plays a key role in today’s communication tech.
Differences Between SMS and RCS
SMS has been around for a while. It allows you to send short messages without using data. RCS, on the other hand, is newer and uses the internet to offer more features.
RCS provides group chats, sends large pictures, and keeps your messages safe. It started in the U.S. in 2019 and went global by 2022. Android phones support RCS, and Apple said it would too in its iOS 18 update of November 2023.
But, RCS does use your data plan. By the end of 2023, it had 930 million users. This number is expected to grow beyond 1 billion by 2024.
When SMS is Used Instead of RCS
Still, sometimes SMS is better. It works on all phones, even without the internet. This makes it great for basic phones or where there’s no good data signal.
Every day, people send over 23 billion SMS texts. It’s still a key way for businesses to reach their customers, especially those without internet or RCS.
Even with RCS’s advanced features, SMS’s simple, universal use keeps it vital in communication tech.
How to Fix the ‘Sent as SMS via Server’ Notification
Feeling puzzled by the “Sent as SMS via Server” alert? Don’t worry. It’s fixable. We’ll guide you through simple steps. These include turning on SMS reports, refreshing your message app, and adjusting RCS chats. With these actions, you’ll tackle the issue head-on.
Turning On SMS Delivery Reports
Turning on SMS reports lets you see if messages were sent, received, or failed. This replaces vague server notifications with clear status updates. It keeps you in the loop about your message’s journey. Here’s how to activate the delivery reports:
- Open the messaging app on your device.
- Go to settings, typically found in the menu.
- Locate “Request delivery reports” and flip it on.
Clearing Message App Cache
Resetting your messaging app’s cache can eliminate bugs. These bugs might cause the server message alerts you’re seeing. Doing this cleans out any faulty files. Follow these steps to clear cache:
- Go to your device’s settings menu.
- Select “Apps & notifications” and find your messaging app.
- Tap on “Storage & cache” and then “Clear cache.”
Enabling/Disabling RCS Chats
Adjusting RCS chats could also resolve the issue. RCS can revert to SMS if your data connection drops. This setting lets you switch RCS on or off based on your preference.
To change RCS chat settings:
- Open your messaging app and go to settings.
- Find the “Chat features” section.
- Adjust the RCS setting to your liking.
By checking these settings, you make the handling smoother and avoid SMS fallbacks.
Why Does My Text Say SMS
Seeing “Sent as SMS via server” can be confusing. It often happens when messages switch from Rich Communication Services (RCS) to traditional SMS. Google made RCS the main way for Android devices to message in late 2020. Since then, many users have noticed this switch.
RCS lets you send videos, photos, and chat in groups, much like WhatsApp and iMessage. Yet, not every device can handle RCS messages. When your message can’t be delivered as RCS, it changes to a regular SMS instead.
Device compatibility is a main cause for messages being sent as SMS. For example, sending an RCS message to a device that doesn’t support it, like an iPhone, will change the message to SMS. Problems with network connection can also make RCS messages switch to SMS.
Settings on your phone or the recipient’s can also lead to this status. After updating your Android to use RCS, messages might be sent as SMS if the other person hasn’t enabled RCS. Knowing about text message settings and their features helps us communicate better.
Sometimes, a server helps send your Android’s RCS messages. This server can handle tasks like messaging lots of people at once and making sure messages get delivered. But if there’s a problem, like the recipient’s phone not supporting RCS, the message will be sent as SMS.
Understanding why texts might say SMS shows the complexity behind messaging tech today. Keeping up with tech updates helps us use our Android messaging apps more effectively. It’s key for avoiding confusion and making our communication smoother.
Conclusion
Fixing SMS problems can make texting smoother and keep you connected. Knowing how SMS differs from RCS lets you choose better. For example, an iPhone iMessage turns into an SMS for non-Apple devices. This is seen when the message bubble is green.
This may be confusing. But, with knowledge, you can handle it well.
The digital world of texting keeps changing. It’s important to know what ‘Sent as SMS via Server’ means. This tells you your message went through the cell network, not the internet. You can adjust how you text knowing this.
Turning on SMS reports or fixing app issues can solve common problems. These actions improve your texting reliability and success.
Using these communication tips can make your messaging better. Whether for work with EZ Texting or chatting with loved ones, small changes help a lot. Being aware of network issues helps you stay connected.
Don’t miss important messages by following these suggestions. Enjoy better texting by keeping these ideas in mind.
