The issue of green messages instead of blue messages is common and highly frustrating for the majority of iPhone users that are comfortable using iMessage.
This is frustrating because they cannot detect whether the contacts they send and receive messages to and from are using iMessage.
On the other hand, Android users may also experience this issue, and many might be curious about why this is happening in their messaging app. There are many reasons why you get green messages instead of blue on your iPhone or Android phone.
In this article, I’ll show you why and share ideas on how to change green messages to blue.
Why Are My Messages Green When They Should Be Blue?
The presence of green messages when they should be blue on your iPhone indicates that you used an SMS (Short Message Service) rather than iMessage.
However, if an Android user experiences this issue, it might be a sign that the receiver of their message has blocked them.
Below are more reasons why your Messages are green when they should be blue.
1. Android (Non-iOS Phone)
This issue is common among iPhone users, specifically those who prefer using iMessage for messaging friends, family, and anyone else. iMessage, by default, sends messages in blue text, so if your case is different, one reason is that you are now having conversations with an Android phone or a non-iOS phone.
For instance, if your friend is an Android user while you are an iPhone user and you are using iMessage to converse with them. Every message you send to or receive from them would be green.
2. Disabled iMessage
In some cases, iPhones would receive green messages to a standard messaging app or iMessage even if they are receiving the messages from an iMessage. This can be because your iMessage is disabled on your iPhone.
Also, if you’re sending messages through iMessage to your friend who is also using iMessage, and you note that the message is delivered in green, do not panic; your iMessage is just disabled.
How To Change Green Message To Blue On Android
You’re not the only one who may wonder, “How do I change my green messages to blue on Android?”.
Here are some simple ways to change your green messages to blue on your Android phone:
1. Android Message Color Feature
This color feature is available on every Android Message; it allows you to customize a contact’s message one at a time.
So, you can change them back to blue or any color of your choice and set it as default for messaging.
However, the color feature depends on your Android device and model. Following these steps, you would be able to change green messages to blue or change from one color to another easily:
- Step 1 – Select the messaging app.
- Step 2 – Then tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
- Step 3 – Choose Advanced Messaging from the menu.
- Step 4 – Toggle the bar available to change your text color.
2. Google Rich Commutation Service (RCS)
As mentioned, iMessage sends messages in green or blue text, which is its default way of sending and receiving messages on iPhone.
Likewise, RCS is a messaging competitor to Apple’s iMessage. Google created the RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging platform, adding it as a new feature to help send and receive messages on Android.
This app works like iMessage, allowing users to send messages in blue text. Moreover, the app has more features that will be discussed later.
So, all you have to do is check if the app is compatible with your Android phone. Download it through your Play Store and follow the steps below to check:
- Step 1 – Open the app and hit the menu in the top right-hand corner.
- Step 2 – Select Settings.
- Step 3 – Select Chat features.
- Step 4- Chat features will tell you if your device is supported or not.
3. Restart Your Android Phone
Sometimes, restarting your Android phone can help you change green messages to blue easily. I.e. if your Android phone receives blue messages before suddenly switching back to green, try to:
- Step 1 – Press and hold the phone’s power button for 1-2 seconds until the power options menu appears, then release the power button.
- Step 2 – Tap Restart or Reboot on the menu options available. This depends on the model of Android you are using.
- Step 3 – Also, depending on your phone, it takes up to a minute to restart its main screen.
- Step 4 – If you have a password, you are asked to enter this information after restarting your phone.
4. Download A Different Messaging App
You can also give another messaging app a shot. Download a different messaging app that will allow you to change green messages to blue. List of apps you might want to consider include:
- Handcent Next
- GoPro SMS
- Textra SMS
How To Fix Green Messages And Change Back To Blue On iPhone
SMS is displayed as green messages in your messaging app and is sent through your cellular voice service. In other words, SMS doesn’t use the internet or your data plan to send these messages.
Meanwhile, iMessage uses the internet or data plan on your phone to send messages.
iMessage enables location sharing, Apple emoji, better app integration, and many other features. That is why it is preferred over SMS.
Here are different tips for changing green messages to blue on your iPhone.
- Fix 1 – Check your Internet bar if it’s turned on: blue iMessages should only be available over WiFi, 3G, 4G, or 5G.
- Fix 2 – Reset network settings: If your iPhone’s WiFi or internet isn’t functioning properly after confirming it’s turned on, try resetting your network. To reset the network: Go to Settings >> General >> Reset network.
- Fix 3 – Restart your iPhone: Restarting your iPhone can also help you change green messages to blue when your iPhone sends messages to another iPhone.
- Fix 4 – Enable your iPhone’s iMessage: You need to verify that your iPhone’s iMessage is enabled when trying to change green messages to blue: you can achieve this by going to Settings >> Locate the Message app >> Toggle the iMessages bar if it is turned off. However, if it’s turned on, toggle it off, wait for some seconds and toggle it back on.
- Fix 4 – Verify that the recipient’s phone is an iPhone: Remember, iMessages can only be sent between Apple users. So, you’ll always see green messages when sending messages to Android users.
How to Go Back to iMessage After Sending A Text
iMessage will occasionally request to send the message as an SMS when there is a problem.
Perhaps you switched to SMS because you didn’t have a reliable internet connection, either temporarily or permanently.
As long as iOS can’t send iMessage, it should only send messages as SMS and switch back as soon as possible, but if it doesn’t, here is a simple tip to fix it:
1. Send a Photo or Attachment in the Chat
The first thing you do when you have this problem is to send a picture or any other kind of attachment to the contact you’re stuck on a text message with. When this is done, it usually refreshes iMessage and stops texting as SMS.
2. Disabled iMessage
Perhaps iMessage was accidentally disabled, or a file was damaged in the app while in use. You can quickly get it back from text messages by checking the iMessage from the settings menu.
- Step 1 – Locate the ‘Messages’ option in the Settings app,
- Step 2 – You’ve identified the problem if the toggle for iMessage is already turned off! You only need to enable it to use it. But if it’s turned on, disable the iMessage toggle.
- Step 3 – Wait a few seconds and turn on the iMessage toggle again.
- Step 4 – Reopen the iMessages app and attempt to send a message to the contact that was giving you trouble. First, select the contact by tapping the ‘New message’ in the top-right corner. After that, send the message by entering their contact information in the “To” field.
- Step 5 – If this fix works, it should appear in blue rather than green when you choose their contact. Send the message again to double-check.
3. Force Restart Your iPhone
Try forcing a restart of your iPhone if the disabled iMessage doesn’t work. To force your phone to restart, follow these steps:
For iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and all other models above iPhone X, i.e, the ones that don’t have a home button:
- Step 1 – Press and release the volume up button quickly.
- Step 2 – Next, press and release the button for the volume down.
- Step 3 – Hold the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Don’t let go of the Sleep/ Wake button if a “Slide to Power Off” option appears before the Apple logo.
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Hold the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. When the “Slide to Power Off” option appears, ignore it.
For iPhone 6S & previous models: Until the Apple logo appears on the screen, press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons simultaneously.
Open iMessage and try sending a message to one of your iMessage contacts after your iPhone has finished restarting.
Also, messaging them will have to start a new conversation rather than continue the previous one, and the messages should now be displayed in blue rather than green.
4. Delete the Conversation Thread
This may be your last resort if a single conversation is stuck on text messages and none of the solutions above worked. Confirm that the other person has iMessage turned on before trying this.
After confirming it is turned on, remove the conversation thread containing the text message attachments. Here’s how to do it:
- Step 1- Find the conversation on the list by opening the conversation threads in the Messages app.
- Step 2 – Next, swipe left from the Chat’s right corner.
- Step 3 – To end the conversation entirely, press “Delete.” There will be a confirmation prompt. To confirm, tap “Delete.”
- Step 4- Then begin a fresh dialogue with them. It should begin as an iMessage conversation.
Does Green Text Mean Block?
We know that sending a regular message can be indicated by a green message. Also, green messages may indicate that you have been blocked on iMessage. Therefore, Apple’s messaging service will prevent instant messages from being delivered to the recipient over the iMessage platform if you are blocked on iMessage.
When someone blocks you, it will fall back to sending the message as a text message, which means the text message will come out green.
Note: Remember that the green text message, instead of blue, isn’t always a reliable sign that you’ve been blocked.
Also, a green message can indicate that a user has finally switched to Android OS, their phone is off, or offline.
Read also: How to Sign Into iMessage on iPhone, iPad & MacBooks
How to know if you’ve been blocked on iMessage
1. iPhone do not disturb feature
iOS has do not disturb features that let iPhone users temporarily turn off notifications for all but the contacts and apps they choose to leave on. It may just be that someone you are trying to send a message to might turns off their notifications. They won’t be able to get notifications until when they put it back on.
2. Try to call the number
Attempting to call the number to inquire is another way to confirm if the user blocked you on the iMessage or Android message app.
You won’t be able to call someone who has blocked you on iMessage or Android messages. Instead, you get a voicemail box that will play for only one ring if you attempt to call the number that has blocked you.
3. Attempt to call from a different number
Suppose you have attempted all of the measures above without success. Then, as a last resort, you might give them a call from a different number. If they answer, you can inform them that you have been attempting to get in touch with them.
However, if you call from a different number and still get the same answer, there might be an issue with the person’s iMessage.
Conclusion
This article has enlightened us on changing green messages to blue on your iPhone or Android device.
Fortunately, you can quickly resolve this problem with the guides provided. Hence, if you follow the procedures in the article closely, you should be able to successfully change green messages to blue on your iPhone or Android phones.
- If you delete a message on iMessage does it delete for the other person?
- If Someone Blocked Me Will They Still Get My Texts?
- What does Message Blocking Is Active Mean on Android & iPhone
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