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iMessage purgatory

adampash.com

21–30 of 172 posts

Re: iMessage purgatory

#21

There was a story posted the HN that was very similar to this semi-recently, in fact I though it was a repost until I saw this was published today. I can't seem to find the previous post, does anyone else remember that/have a link? Thanks!

From 100 days ago, 398 points: iOS holding my phone number hostage = the worst bug I’ve ever experienced (blog.benjaminste.in)

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7166955

Re: iMessage purgatory

#22
Wow, this has been going on for at least a year. I can't believe that Apple hasn't already fixed this problem, it really calls into question their commitment to doing the right thing.

Re: iMessage purgatory

#23
post #3

This site has a solution: 1. Reset your Apple ID password and do not log back in on your device(s) 2. Send a text to 48369 with the word STOP It won’t happen immediately but over a 12-hour period, you should start receiving texts on your Android device that are sent from iPhone users. http://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-keep-receiving-sm...

"Performing these tasks won't deregister iMessage" from: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5185

Re: iMessage purgatory

#24
post #18
post #9

What is interesting to me always is that my experience trying to send iMessages to people is usually the opposite: if someone's phone runs out of batteries or they start a phone call (on CDMA, which can't do voice and data simultaneously) I nearly instantly am forced to send them text messages. I also have found the "Delivered" notices very reliable: AFAIK they require a device to actually receive the message. Note h…

My sister has an iPhone, but no data plan. So, if she's out and I want to text her from my iPhone, she needs to make sure she doesn't have iMessages running on her computer at home. If it's on, I text her a bunch of times and I just get the blue bubbles. Then I get a bunch of SMS messages from her saying "where are you? why aren't you texting me back" and hilarity ensues. I guess I could just call her.

My friend moved from an iPhone to an Android a while back and I couldn't message him anymore. I had to change the setting for his contact so that it would revert to standard SMS when imessage failed which seems to have worked fine, it's just a silly solution.

Re: iMessage purgatory

#25
post #5

I had this same issue. Apple wouldn't help me, unfortunately. If I recall correctly, I had to disassociate iMessage from my AppleID completely, which seems to have worked. Although I still can't be sure. I have a weird feeling the messages still aren't going through and a lot of my friends think I'm being an asshole.

This feels exactly like the dark days of Microsoft[1], where they would support a protocol halfway, and then make it impossible for people to switch away from their version of the protocol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embrace,_extend_and_extinguish

Re: iMessage purgatory

#27
There is (or at least used to be) an option on your iPhone that forces the messages to be sent and received over SMS rather than iMessage. I wonder if one could turn on that option on their old phone before switching numbers.

There was a fairly recent change in how iMessages are handled. In one of the iOS updates, you can receive iMessage messages on numerous devices tied to your Apple ID such as your iPad. I wonder if that's where the bug comes from.

The other option is to switch to Android at home and get new friends.

Re: iMessage purgatory

#28
For what it's worth, I switched to Android and did not have to pay Apple $20 to disable my iMessages, despite not having an active support contract.

I did, however, have to do a quick Google search, log in to my iTunes account through the web, and de-register my Apple devices. The problem was solved relatively quickly and for free.

This should be simpler, but I'm not sure how much easier Apple can make it. They can't make an iOS app to help you because you got rid of the iPhone. It seems strange to make an Android app to help you. That leaves the web. Better luck to you!

Re: iMessage purgatory

#29

Wow, this has been going on for at least a year. I can't believe that Apple hasn't already fixed this problem, it really calls into question their commitment to doing the right thing.

Yeah it's stupid issue but extremely easy to resolve. My messages went to purgatory for about 15 minutes. http://phandroid.com/2014/04/07/turn-off-imessage-iphone-to-...

Re: iMessage purgatory

#30
I went through this last month when I switched to the Nexus 5, had no clue I wasn't getting messages until someone with an iPhone tweeted at me asking why I as ignoring them.

However, all it took from me was a call to Apple's customer service, I told them I had just switched off my iPhone and no longer got texts from people with iMessage and they immediately sent me to a tech that fixed the problem for me.

Have you been explaining it correctly when you call? All I said was "I had an iPhone until last week, switched to another phone but I'm still registered for iMessage"

Edit: According to my phone I called 1-800-692-7753 (Which is just 1-800-MY-APPLE) and my call took 8 mins 25 seconds total. Not too bad of an experience.

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