If you have an Apple device, for example, an iPhone, you might need an internet connection to use some of its applications. One of the apps that you might find useful is the iMessage, which enables you to send text messages, pictures, videos, and even documents. If you are thinking about using iMessage to send messages, you might be wondering how much data it uses.
So, how much data does iMessage use? iMessage does not use much cellular data. With a standard cellular data plan, you can send as many messages as you want, and this app will not make any significant dent in your data plan. Sending plain text messages will not consume much data, but data consumption might increase slightly if you send or receive large files like videos and documents. If you connect your device to a Wi-Fi network, iMessage will not consume any data.
iMessage is one of the simplest forms of communicating with other people using the same application. Knowing how much data applications on your Apple device would use before choosing a cellular data plan is crucial. iMessage is one of the applications you can use to communicate with your friends and family. If you want to use iMessage, you might be wondering how much data it will use.
iMessage does not use much data; therefore, there is no need to get a large cellular data plan. You can even get the smallest available cellular data plan and use it to send messages, videos, images, and documents without going over your data limit. If you use iMessage to send text messages most of the time, it will hardly use any data.
Some people have suggested iMessage can use up to 1GB of data over an entire year. If you connect your Apple device to a Wi-Fi connection, iMessage will not use any data. You can also check how much data iMessage has used and know how you can save more data.
iMessage lets you send text messages, images, videos, and documents to people using Apple devices and has enabled iMessage. It requires an internet connection to send the messages. If you use cellular data to send messages on iMessage, you do not need to get a big data plan unless you need that data for another application.
Sending plain text messages on iMessage will hardly use any of your data, but the consumption will slightly increase if you send or receive large files such as videos and documents. If you do not use other applications that use a lot of cellular data, you should select the lowest data plan your cellular carrier provides.
You can also check how much data your iMessage has used over a certain period using your Apple device.
- Open “Settings” on your device
- Tap “Cellular”
- Scroll down to the bottom and
- Select “System Services”
You will see how much data iMessage has used over a certain period. The amount of data your iMessage used will be under “Messaging Services”.
The amount of data used by iMessage will be recorded from the first time you got your device unless you recently factory reset your device. For example, if you got your device a year ago and have been using iMessage for that period and under “Messaging services,” it says 550 MB, that is the amount of data your iMessage has used.
If you check how much data your iMessage has used and you think it is too much, there are ways you can use it to save your data. The first one is to avoid sending too many large files through iMessage. iMessage allows you to send videos, images, and documents; however, these files use more data than plain text messages.
Not every video or picture on your device is worth sending to your friends and family. Only send large files you deem necessary to send via iMessage while using cellular and use other methods that do not consume data, such as Bluetooth.
Another data-saving method is turning on “Low Quality Image Mode.” When you enable this feature, iMessage will send low-quality images that use less data than higher-quality images. To turn on “Low Quality Image Mode”, go to:
- “Settings” on your device and
- Tap on “Messages”
Scroll down to the bottom and on the side of “Low Quality Image Mode,” slide the toggle to the right to turn it on. When the toggle turns green, “Low Quality Image Mode” will be enabled.
How Big Can An iMessage Be?
Most messaging services include a size limit of the file you can send or receive through their servers. After enabling iMessage on your Apple device, it is normal to be concerned if there are any restrictions on using the application. If you want to send a message on iMessage, you might be wondering how big the message can be.
You can send an iMessage as big as 1.7GB via iMessage; however, the size can be limited when the iMessage is sent as an SMS. In the beginning, the maximum size of a file you could send via iMessage was 100 MB, but after numerous updates and releases of new Apple devices, the size limit increased to more than 1 GB.
You should note that iMessage also has a length limit of four minutes and twenty seconds on videos you can send. Sometimes Apple will compress a video sent via iMessage, which might affect the quality of the video.
When you want to attach a file to your iMessage, you have to check if the file is the correct size before you send it. When you try to send a video that exceeds the limit, the message will not be sent. iMessage will mark it as “Not Delivered”, even if you try to resend it, it will not work until you resize the file.
The exact size limit is unknown as people usually try sizes to know if they can send the file via iMessage. Some claim that they successfully sent a 1.75GB video via iMessage, and at the moment, that seems to be the size to beat. If you have a video bigger than 1.75 GB, you can try and see if you can send via iMessage, or the limit is truly 1.75 GB. This size limit is also applicable to images and documents.
If you want to attach a video to your iMessage, you should note that iMessage has a length limit on videos you can send to other people. Currently, iMessage will not send any video that exceeds four minutes and twenty seconds. Previously, the length limit was three minutes and thirty seconds, but it increased after iOS 14.4.
If you try to send a video that exceeds the length limit imposed by Apple, a message will pop up saying the video is too long, suggesting that you select a smaller clip from the video to send. You can go back to your video and trim it to the correct time before you can try to send it again.
Sometimes your Apple device will compress a file that is greater than a particular size. For example, if you try to send a 2 GB video, Apple might compress the video to 800 MB to make it easier to send it. However, the compression can be so great that it ruins the quality of the video.
Sometimes Apple will compress the video; when the recipient plays the video, it is very blurry and difficult to see its contents. Apple can even compress small videos, leading to many people complaining about blurry videos when they send them on iMessage.
If you cannot send a certain video on iMessage because of size or length limitations, there are many alternatives you can use to send the video. If the person you want to send the video to is physically close to you, send the video via Bluetooth.
You can send any file via Bluetooth if the person has enough storage to receive the file. You can also send the video via email if you have the recipient’s email address. You can also use AirDrop to send large files if the recipient has an Apple device and has installed the AirDrop app.
Does iMessage Work on Wi-Fi?
iMessage is Apple’s exclusive instant messaging service that allows you to send messages to other Apple device users. iMessage is located in the default messages app on your phone, but you need to enable it before using it. Before you enable iMessage, you might be wondering if it can work on Wi-Fi.
iMessage can work on Wi-Fi because it requires an internet connection to send the messages. You can either use your cellular data plan or a Wi-Fi network. Using Wi-Fi to send messages on iMessage is beneficial because it does not cost you anything, and you can send as many files as you want. If you do not want to spend a lot of money obtaining a cellular data plan, you should consider using Wi-Fi. If you are on a plane, you can continue using your iMessage if the airline provides Wi-Fi in your flight.
iMessage does not require any cellular service to work, and it sends messages, videos, images, and documents over the internet. If you do not have a SIM card, you can still use iMessage to communicate with your friends, relatives, or colleagues as long as you have connected your Apple device to a Wi-Fi network. This is the best option if you live in a place where access to cellular service is difficult.
Wi-Fi is the best choice when using iMessage, especially if you do not have cellular data or want to save on your data usage. Sending plain texts using iMessage does not use a lot of data; however, your data usage will go up when you send many videos, images, or documents.
If you use cellular data to send many videos, images, or documents on iMessage, you might incur extra costs if you exceed your cellular data plan limit. Using a Wi-Fi connection will ensure that you do not incur extra charges when you send large files on iMessage. When using Wi-Fi to chat on iMessage, the only costs you can incur are subscription fees paid to your internet service provider.
When you travel using a plane, you must put your cellular devices on Airplane Mode. Airplane mode disables all wireless connections meaning you cannot make phone calls or text. However, it is possible to use iMessage while your phone is in Airplane Mode.
Most airlines provide Wi-Fi in some of their planes which you can use to communicate on iMessage. However, before you book a flight, you should ensure that the airline you want to use provides Wi-Fi on its plane.
To use iMessage while your device is in Airplane Mode, go to:
- “Settings” on your device and
- Turn on “Airplane Mode”
If your Wi-Fi is not enabled, go back to “Settings,” tap on “Wi-Fi,” and turn it on. Alternatively, you can use the Control Center and tap on the “Airplane Mode” and “Wi-Fi” icons to turn them on.
Open iMessage and try to send a message. An error message will pop up on the screen informing you to turn off Airplane Mode to send or receive messages. Tap on the “Settings” tab and enable iMessage to use Wi-Fi.
Go back to the message you tried to send on iMessage and tap on the little red “!” exclamation and select “Try Again” to resend the message. You can now send and receive messages on iMessage using Wi-Fi while your device is on Airplane Mode.
Summary
iMessage does not use a lot of data, and you do not need to worry about getting a big cellular data plan. If you do not have other applications that use a lot of data on your device, you can choose the smallest cellular data your cellular carrier provides. If You do not want to use your cellular data to chat on iMessage, you can connect your Apple device to a Wi-Fi network.
The limit on the size of a file you could send on iMessage used to be 100MB, but now people are sending files up to 1.7GB. Before you send a video, you need to ensure that it does not exceed four minutes and twenty seconds. If it exceeds the length restriction, you can trim it or use another method such as Airdrop to send it.
