If you’ve ever been texting someone and suddenly saw the phrase “Send as SMS” pop up on your phone, you’re not alone. The first time most people see it, they pause and wonder: Is this slang? A secret code? A phone error?
I remember seeing it during a chat when a message wouldn’t deliver, and for a moment, I thought the person was sending me some type of digital warning. 😅

But don’t worry—once you understand what it means, it’s super simple.

Quick Answer: “Send as SMS” means your phone wants to send your message as a regular text instead of an internet-based message like iMessage, RCS, or WhatsApp.
It’s a technical messaging option, not slang, and it’s used when your internet message can’t be delivered.

What Does “Send as SMS” Mean in Text?

“Send as SMS” is not slang. It literally means your phone is trying to send your message through the traditional SMS (Short Message Service) system instead of an online messaging service.

This usually appears when:

iMessage fails and your iPhone suggests sending it as SMS
RCS (Android’s enhanced messaging) isn’t available
Your internet connection is weak
The other person doesn’t have the same messaging service as you

Example sentence:
“My iMessage wasn’t sending, so I tapped Send as SMS.”

In short:
Send as SMS = send message as a basic text = uses mobile network, not internet.

Where Is “Send as SMS” Commonly Used?

You’ll see “Send as SMS” mostly in:

📱 iMessage (iPhone)
When iMessage can’t deliver (blue bubble fails), it switches to or offers SMS (green bubble).

📡 Android Messages / Google Messages
If RCS isn’t connected, your phone may switch your message to SMS.

💬 Basic carrier texting
If data/WiFi is off, “Send as SMS” becomes the only option.

🕹️ NOT slang, NOT social media
You won’t see “Send as SMS” on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, or gaming chats because it’s not a slang term—it’s a system feature.

⭐ Tone:

Neutral
Technical
Used only for message delivery
Not casual or slangy

Examples of “Send as SMS” in Conversation

Here are realistic situations where it appears:

A: “Why didn’t your text go through?”
B: “Idk, it made me tap Send as SMS.”

A: “My iMessage keeps failing 😭”
B: “Just hit send as sms, it’ll go as a regular text.”

A: “Why did your bubble turn green?”
B: “iMessage failed and it switched to SMS.”

A: “Are you on WiFi?”
B: “Nope, so everything is sending as SMS rn.”

A: “Why didn’t I get your pics?”
B: “Because it sent as SMS. SMS can’t send photos 😫.”

A: “Why does it say ‘send as sms’ on my phone?”
B: “It’s just asking if you want to send the text through your carrier.”

When to Use and When Not to Use “Send as SMS”

✅ When to Use “Send as SMS”

When iMessage or RCS fails
When the other person has weak or no internet
When you want the message to send immediately
When you’re texting someone without iMessage/RCS
When you turn mobile data off

❌ When NOT to Use “Send as SMS”

When sending images, videos, or large files (SMS can’t handle them)
When texting internationally (SMS costs may apply)
When you prefer encryption (SMS is not encrypted)
When you want read receipts

Comparison Table

Context	Example Phrase	Why It Works
Friend Chat	“Message not delivering so I’ll just send as SMS 😄”	Casual & practical
Work Chat	“I’ll resend via SMS in case your data is off.”	Clear & professional
Email	“If the message fails, feel free to send it as SMS.”	Formal & informative
Tech Support	“Try sending the text as SMS to bypass iMessage.”	Helpful instruction

Similar Slang Words or Alternatives

Even though “Send as SMS” isn’t slang, here are messaging-related terms people sometimes confuse it with:

Term	Meaning	When to Use
SMS	Basic text message over carrier network	No internet / sending plain text
MMS	Text with photos/videos	Sharing media
iMessage	Apple internet-based messaging	When both people have iPhones
RCS	Android’s enhanced messaging	High-quality texting & media
DM	Direct message	Social media chats
PM	Private message	One-on-one messaging online

FAQs About “Send as SMS”

❓ Is “Send as SMS” slang?

No—it’s a phone feature, not a slang term.

❓ Why does my phone keep showing “Send as SMS”?

Because your internet-based message (iMessage or RCS) can’t deliver.

❓ Why did my text bubble turn green?

It sent as SMS instead of iMessage.

❓ Does SMS cost money?

Yes, depending on your carrier plan.

❓ Can SMS send photos?

No, that requires MMS or an internet messaging app.

❓ Is SMS encrypted?

No. iMessage and some chat apps provide encryption, but SMS does not.

Conclusion

“Send as SMS” might look confusing at first, but it’s simply your phone telling you that your message will be sent as a regular, carrier-based text instead of an internet message. It’s not slang, not a secret message, and not something to worry about. It just ensures your message gets delivered—especially when someone has poor internet, switched phones, or turned their data off.