Hi there! I'm Liam, a tech enthusiast with a particular interest in mobile communication. I've spent years keeping up-to-date with the latest trends in smartphones and messaging services, and I'm happy to share my knowledge.

You're asking about the cost of text messages between iPhones. That's a great question, and the answer is a bit nuanced. Let's break it down:

Traditional SMS/MMS Messages:

When we talk about "text messages," we usually refer to SMS (Short Message Service) for plain text and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) for messages containing pictures, videos, or audio files.

Here's the key point: **SMS/MMS relies on your cellular network, not the internet.** Think of it like making a phone call – you're using your carrier's network infrastructure to send and receive these messages.

* Cost: Whether or not these messages are free depends entirely on your specific mobile carrier plan.
* Many plans these days offer unlimited SMS/MMS within the country, effectively making them "free" as long as you're within your plan's limits.
* However, some plans might still charge per message, especially for MMS, or have limitations on international messaging.

iMessage:

Now, here's where iPhones get interesting. Apple introduced iMessage, its own messaging service, back in 2011. The magic of iMessage is that it operates entirely over the internet.

* How it works: Your iPhone automatically detects when you're sending a message to another Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac) and uses iMessage if both devices are connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or cellular data).
* Key advantages:
* Data-based: iMessage doesn't count against your SMS/MMS allowances. As long as you have an internet connection, it's essentially free.
* Feature-rich: iMessage offers a more robust experience with read receipts, typing indicators, higher-quality image and video sharing, group messaging features, and even fun additions like Memoji and message effects.

Things to keep in mind:

* Internet connection required: iMessage needs an active internet connection to work. If you or the recipient have no internet access, your iPhone will automatically default to sending regular SMS/MMS messages.
* Green vs. Blue bubbles: A quick way to tell if you're using iMessage is to look at the message bubbles on your iPhone.
* Blue bubbles: iMessage is active.
* Green bubbles: You're sending a regular SMS/MMS message.

In summary:

* Texting between iPhones can be free if you're using iMessage and have an internet connection.
* If you're on a cellular plan with unlimited SMS/MMS, those messages are essentially free as well.
* However, costs might apply if you have a limited messaging plan or are sending international messages.

My recommendation:

To ensure you're taking advantage of the cost-saving and feature-rich experience of iMessage:


1. Enable iMessage on your iPhone: Go to Settings > Messages and make sure iMessage is turned on.

2. Connect to Wi-Fi when possible: This will help you avoid using your cellular data for iMessages.

3. Be mindful of international messaging: Check your carrier's international rates if you frequently text people outside your country.

I hope this explanation is helpful! Let me know if you have any more questions.
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Benefits Of Using iMessage. ... If you're connected to Wi-Fi, you can send iMessages without using your cellular data or text messaging plan. iMessage is faster than SMS or MMS: SMS and MMS messages are sent using different technology than your iPhone uses to connect to the internet.read more >>