Even in today’s social media-driven world, texting remains a crucial form of communication. Despite the rise of instant messaging apps, texting is still incredibly convenient. However, some text messages on your phone may display a “Sent as SMS via server” message instead of the usual read receipts. If you’re wondering what this means, this article will explain it. Keep reading to learn what “Sent as SMS via server” means and how to prevent it from appearing on your phone.
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What does “Sent as SMS via server” mean?
The “Sent as SMS via server” message typically appears on Android smartphones when the person you are texting is no longer connected to RCS.
RCS requires both parties to be connected to an RCS service profile for a seamless and enhanced texting experience. If the recipient’s connection is unstable, RCS defaults to sending your message as a regular SMS to avoid delays in delivery (since there’s no way to know when the recipient’s connection will be restored).
In these cases, rather than failing to deliver your message, RCS switches to sending it as an SMS via its server. The “Sent as SMS via server” message indicates that the SMS was sent through the RCS server instead of your phone. As a result, you won’t see the usual read receipts (Sent, Delivered, Read), as this data isn’t sent back to you.
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What is RCS?
RCS messages are free because they use a data connection. However, when an RCS connection can’t be established and an SMS is sent instead, the SMS is charged according to your mobile carrier’s plan.
How to turn off “Sent as SMS via server” notifications
You can’t turn off the “Sent as SMS via server” notifications, as they provide important status information. However, you can disable the SMS fallback feature that RCS uses by default. This will prevent RCS from attempting to resend your message as an SMS through the server.
Disabling SMS fallback is not recommended unless the notifications are becoming too frequent or bothersome, as the feature is generally helpful.
To disable SMS fallback on RCS, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Messages app on your phone.
- Tap your profile photo in the top right corner to access settings.
- Go to Messages settings > General > RCS chats.
- Disable the option for “Automatically resend as a text (SMS/MMS).”
Enable SMS Delivery Reports
- Open the Messages app on your phone.
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll down to the section below General settings (this section may be labeled with your carrier’s name).
- Toggle Get SMS delivery reports to on.
- This should replace the “Sent as SMS via server” status with the usual text delivery statuses.
Clear the Messages App Cache
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Go to Storage.
- Find the Messages app in the list.
- Tap Clear Cache or Cleanup.
- Alternatively, you can perform a general cleanup on your Android device to free up space.
FAQ’s
What does “Sent as SMS via server” mean on my phone?
The “Sent as SMS via server” message typically appears on Android phones when the person you’re texting is no longer connected to RCS (Rich Communication Services). RCS is an upgraded messaging service that provides enhanced features, but if there’s a problem with the recipient’s connection, your message is sent as a regular SMS instead, via the RCS server. This means you won’t see usual read receipts like “Sent,” “Delivered,” or “Read.”
Why did my message switch to “Sent as SMS via server”?
This happens when the recipient’s device is not connected to RCS or has a poor connection. RCS tries to send your message as a data-based message, but if that’s not possible, it defaults to SMS, which is why the “Sent as SMS via server” message appears.
How can I stop the “Sent as SMS via server” message from showing up?
Unfortunately, you can’t turn off the “Sent as SMS via server” message since it’s an important status update. However, you can disable the fallback feature that automatically sends the message as an SMS. Disabling this might prevent it from happening, but it’s not recommended unless the notifications are too frequent.
Can I still see the usual read receipts when “Sent as SMS via server” appears?
No, when a message is sent as an SMS through the server, the usual read receipts (“Sent,” “Delivered,” and “Read”) are not available. This is because the message is sent via the server rather than your phone, and delivery statuses are not returned.
Are SMS messages charged differently from RCS messages?
Yes, RCS messages are free as they use a data connection, but when an SMS is sent due to the failure of an RCS connection, it will be charged according to your mobile carrier’s SMS plan.
Conclusion
In today’s world, texting remains a vital form of communication, even as newer messaging technologies like RCS emerge. While the “Sent as SMS via server” message can be puzzling, it simply indicates that your message was sent as a standard SMS due to an issue with the recipient’s RCS connection. Although you can’t turn off this notification, understanding its cause and knowing how to manage RCS settings, enable SMS delivery reports, or clear the app cache can help improve your messaging experience. By making a few adjustments, you can ensure that your messages are delivered smoothly and that you stay informed of their status.
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