iMessage vs SMS: Blue and Green Bubbles Explained

Blue bubbles on iPhone are iMessage, sent over the internet to other Apple users. Green bubbles are SMS or RCS. Verification codes arrive as SMS.

Blue vs green

Turn SMS fallback on

Settings › Apps › Messages › Send as Text Message lets your iPhone send as SMS when iMessage is not available.

Leaving iPhone for Android

Turn off iMessage before you switch, or deregister your number on Apple's website. Otherwise texts from iPhone users may keep going to iMessage and never reach your new phone.

Codes and iMessage

Verification codes are sent as SMS, so they arrive even if iMessage is off. See iPhone not receiving codes if they do not.

Group chats with mixed phones

When a group has both iPhone and Android users, messages go as SMS, MMS or RCS. Features such as reactions may look different on each side. That is normal and not a sign of a problem.

FAQ

Why are some messages green on my iPhone?

They were sent as SMS or RCS, not iMessage.

Do I need iMessage to get codes?

No, codes come by SMS.

How do I stop iMessage after switching to Android?

Deregister your number on Apple's website.

Related: RCS vs SMS · turn SMS on or off · not receiving texts.