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You’re talking into your phone, using talk-to-text to send an important message to a friend or a family member. And, done! You push the little green button and off goes your message. What a relief!
Or wait, what’s that? Is there a sign appearing next to the message?
The symbol acts as an indicator, popping up on your phone to notify you that your message was not sent successfully. You are familiar with the symbol we are referring to, right? It’s the one with the exclamation point inside of the red circle.
Everyone dreads the moment a message is unsent. It is even worse when the text message is time-sensitive and critical for the recipient to read.
The cause of an unsent text message varies per device and each situation. Is a disconnected phone one of those causes?
Let’s define a text message, explore what it means for a phone to be disconnected, and discuss how to navigate these circumstances.
What Are Text Messages and How Do They Work?
The first SMS text message in history was sent by a young engineer named Neil Papworth in 1992. At the age of 22, Neil sent a message via his computer to wish a friend “Merry Christmas.” He thought he was just doing his job, but he was adding to the future.
Phone networks began using the software, with Nokia being the first to release it nearly a year later. Another six years passed before competitors could engage with it.
Remember when cell phones boomed but didn’t have a keyboard for writing text messages like their new models do today? Users effortlessly hit the number associated with the letter they needed, writing what they wanted to say to the receiver instead of telling them verbally.
It isn’t surprising that text messaging has drastically changed since its initial introduction. First emerging as a form of communication with friends and family, text messaging continues to increase its value, morphing to align with consumer needs and business marketing.
How do you send your text messages? Do you dabble with text only? Or do you get creative, incorporating emojis, pictures, GIFs, etc.?
What type of incoming messages do you receive? Are they just casual conversations, or have you given permission for your favorite shopping websites to send you notifications so you do not miss out on sales?
If asked when text messages first kicked off, your answers would be short and sweet. But now? It is the “norm” to receive an array of messages, from people you may know to bots sending messages on behalf of companies or scammers.
Truly, text messages from businesses are a preference amongst consumers. Stats show that 48% prefer this form of communication.
What Does It Mean if Your Phone Is Disconnected?
Dun, dun, dun! SOS showing on the screen, replacing those bars on your phone that indicate your signal strength is present and strong? Having a phone that is disconnected is everyone’s worst nightmare! But, it doesn’t have to be.
Rewind time. Travel back to when landlines were popular. You know, the phones that had to be wired to the wall and were too big to fit in a pocket to travel? The conversation would take place, maybe plans made, and then the call would seize.
That’s not how it works anymore, as technology allows people to connect and remain connected 24/7. People are glued to their phones.
Studies show that people refer to their phones to check for updates on apps, social media, text messages, etc., at least once every 10 minutes! If you do the math, that is about 96 times each day.
What happens when technology fails? Panic mode takes over, thanks to addiction! All it takes is one blip, such as an unsent message because a phone is disconnected.
But what does being disconnected mean, who is responsible, and how can you troubleshoot it?
Cell Phone or Network Service Providers
Riding into the heart of how cell phones operate, cellular service providers are at the core. They provide you with services you request to power up your cellular device using their cell towers and networking equipment.
Hiccup with your device?
The finger immediately points to your service provider. Quickly, they are targeted as the ones at fault, and they are blamed if a call is dropped or a message is unsent. They are likely used to it.
Sure, they may be the primary reason for a disconnected phone. Maybe you:
- Forgot to pay your bill? Your service provider could temporarily suspend services until you are caught up.
- Are traveling outside of a service provider's zone, such as in the middle of the ocean on a cruise line? The lack of access to cell towers restricts your ability to call or text.
- Ended services because of an attractive sales pitch at another provider or because you moved?
- Didn’t charge the battery?
Or, are the services provided by your service provider limited because they are experiencing issues with their cell towers, unannounced to you? It could be minutes or hours before their technicians resolve the issue. Who has patience for that?
The list continues, but if you have time to listen, there is positive news to spread. All it takes is an internet connection or access to reliable Wi-Fi to mend the issue. It’s that simple. Text messages rely on data networks, not voice networks.
Internet-based messaging apps are available to troubleshoot this! Praise those software developers for thinking of everything! Does this perk your interest?
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Introducing Internet-Based Messaging Apps
Let’s give a round of applause and welcome internet-based messaging apps to the stage!
Do they replace text messages? Not necessarily. But if you want them to, they can. They are the new-age design, giving users peace of mind when failed network services are at play.
Internet-based messaging takes messaging to the next level. Users can send text messages and make phone calls over an internet connection. Apps supporting this that you may or may not be familiar with include Facebook Messenger, Microsoft Teams, Skype, WhatsApp, and Burner apps.
These apps allow you to continue messaging and stay connected, but they may not all solve your problems, such as making a phone call from a disconnected phone.
Is Your Phone Really Disconnected?
If you still aren’t sure if your device is ready for the graveyard or if it has been disconnected from the network, have you:
- Checked your SIM card before calling out that your phone is disconnected? Many network providers are moving from physical SIM cards to virtual ones. If your SIM card is the problem, your wireless carrier needs to either send you a new one, and activate it.
- Restarted your device by turning it off, letting it rest, then turning it back on? Such an old-school trick that does tend to work. In a cinch, the restart closes apps that may be weighing down your device's ability to connect, then refreshes the internet connection.
- Checked if airplane mode is on? Airplane mode removes your phone's ability to join WiFi or cellular networks; thus, causing your text messages to swirl in the void until it is turned off.
Can You Receive Text Messages When a Phone Is Disconnected?
Hello? Is this thing on? A powered-off phone is considered disconnected. It’s similar to you taking a nap. It is okay to let your phone rest, and it won’t disrupt text messages arriving at their final destination.
The sender does not receive a notification if a phone is power napping. Instead, it is the status quo on their end.
Ding, ding, ding! You’ve got mail! You could get one, or you could get many signals as your phone suddenly wakes up. All those messages floating in the pool are delivered to your inbox once the phone connects to your data plan or internet connection.
At least you received them! Now, get prepared to respond!
Listing the Different Types of Text Messages
SMS text messaging was only the beginning. Evolution doesn’t stop there, not even for messaging. With evolution comes change and options. So yes, there are different types of text messages.
Understanding their differences is important as we continue to discuss whether or not they will be sent when your phone is disconnected.
Five of the main types include:
- SMS Messaging
- MMS Messaging
- Push Notifications
- In-App Messaging
- RCS Messaging
- OTT Messaging
SMS Messaging
Short messaging service, or SMS, is one form a text message uses. Its purpose is defined in its name. SMS messages are designed to be up to 160 characters in length. By characters, this includes letters, numbers, and symbols.
Why limit the number of characters? When SMS debuted in the ‘90s, bandwidth did not reach 5G as it does today. Texting was expensive and limited, not unlimited, as most service providers offer now.
Bluetooth and SMS messaging share a connection worth talking about. There are a few steps to follow, such as turning on the Bluetooth ability and pairing it with another Bluetooth device, but it could result in your disconnected phone being able to send off those text messages.
This is another option you can try if you absolutely need to send a message to someone via text.
MMS Messaging
MMS does not share the same limitations as SMS. Think of it as the younger sibling to SMS messaging brought up from an old-school foundation but enhanced with what users have asked for over time.
MMS messaging sends up to 5,000 characters and up to 30 seconds of audio or video files. That’s why it is a prime choice for those who enjoy sending photos, videos, emojis, etc.
MMS is short for Multimedia Messaging Service. Both SMS and MMS require data networks to be successful.
Have you ever thought you were using MMS, but instead your device defaults to SMS? If that happens, you may need to perform a reset or point your settings back to defaulting to MMS.
Push Notifications
Did you expect push notifications on the list as a type of text messaging? Push notifications serve as a form of communication, even though they don’t send to or from an inbox.
Push notifications are unique in that they operate via your phone's banner or as a pop-up on your screen. It all depends on how you’ve set up your phone settings and permissions, and it may vary from app to app.
When your phone is disconnected, so are the push notifications from that device. They may still populate on a computer or tablet if both email and phone are associated with the account.
Check your phone text messaging settings. Eight-two percent of the population enable SMS text push notifications. Why they enable them is their choice, but there is just something about the face of your phone lighting up that brings curiosity to the cat — or the owner of the phone.
Switching them on keeps you in the know as messages are received. These push notifications are extra helpful if your phone is temporarily disconnected for any reason.
In-App Messaging
In-app messaging follows the footsteps of push notifications, except that they don’t scream at you as a pop-up notification. No, they act more discretely.
You may be wondering if you’ve ever seen an in-app message before. Give it a try now, in the moment. Pick up your phone and open an app, any app. Scroll through the pages.
Do you see any enticing statements giving you a kickback or reward or asking you to walk through a tutorial? Bingo! You’ve found in-app messaging.
RCS Messaging
RCS messaging translates to rich communication services. The concept is designed to replace SMS messaging explicitly for Android users. There is always a competition or race to the finish line between competitors.
All you need to use RCS messaging is an internet connection and, of course, an Android device. Then sit back and watch the magic work as all of the messaging apps are combined into one service. This means the user doesn’t have to flip between different messaging apps to read their messages.
Consider SMS outdated since it has been around 32 years since it took its first breath, metaphorically speaking. But it is not extinct. When RCS messaging fails, SMS messaging is the default.
OTT Messaging
Over-the-top messages are unique to certain brands and apps. It is often related to the film and television industries but does debut in the cellular universe, keeping people connected.
Here is an example. An iPhone is exclusively associated with iMessage. Although reserved for Apple users, it connects users via Wi-Fi should the cell network fail.
Why is OTT messaging attractive? That’s because it is a low to no-cost alternative compared to SMS, MMS, and RCS messaging.
Think about it, the answer is obvious. Would you rather pay to receive a service that you may only reap the benefits from on specific sectors, or pay a lower cost, selecting only the options to pay for that you benefit from?
Message Sent Successfully!
Pencils down. The verdict is in.
A disconnected phone with zero access to Burner apps equates to an unsent message stuck in a long line patiently waiting to reach its destination but getting caught in the cloud, figuratively speaking.
Don’t sit staring at the screen, waiting for the status bar to reach 100%, and then failing to send. Take advantage of the technology available through Burner apps to keep your communication moving at the speed of light.
Sources:
First SMS text message is sent | December 3, 1992 | HISTORY
