Never use ‘Messages’ when the situation is urgent or requires an immediate answer.

Where both parties have android devices, messages are not, by default, sent as standard text messages. They are sent using Android/Google Chat. This requires an active data connection which is used to connect to the chat server.

If you have an issue with messages, the problem may not be you.

If a message does not send:

1. Click on the message and it may indicate that the issue is with the recipient.
2. Click ‘Switch to text (SMS/MMS)’ to send as a plain text message.

To check your chat server connection:

1. In the ‘Messages’ app, click the ‘Menu’ (3 dots) in the top right hand corner.
2. Click ‘Settings’.
3. Click ‘Chat features’.

The status of the connection to the server will be shown at the top of the screen.

5. To get a new connection/refresh your connection:  Click the ‘Enable chat features’ to switch it off.
6. Confirm you wish to turn it off.
7. Click it again to turn it back on.

If you are having issues sending to a couple of contacts:

1. In the ‘Messages’ app, open the persons message conversation.
2. Click the three dots in the top corner.
3. Click ‘Details’.
4. Switch on the “Only send SMS and MMS messages” option.

You should note that MMS messages voice/pictures will incur a charge for each contact that the MMS is sent to. Only send text messages to this contact if you make this change.

If you have issues sending to many contacts:

1. In the ‘Messages’ app, click the ‘Menu’ (3 dots) in the top right hand corner.
2. Click ‘Settings’.
3. Click ‘Chat features’.
4. Switch on ‘Automatically resend as a text (SMS/MMS).

You should note that MMS messages voice/pictures will incur a charge for each contact that the MMS is sent to. Only send text messages if you make this change.