Why do my text messages to iPhones get posted under my email?

[NewCustomer]

New to bell. Just getting my phone set up. Many of my contacts with iPhones are receiving my text messages from my email address. Even though I am using my cellphone to text them. Is it something in the settings?

[BellKris · Accepted solution]

Hi there @NewCustomer.

Welcome to the Community.

This happens when your Apple ID is activated with iMessage and the "Start new conversations from" setting is set to your email address instead of your phone number.

To change this, simply navigate to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and configure the settings to start new conversations from your phone number. You'll just need to check your phone number instead of your attached email.

Keep in mind that the changes will only take effect for new conversations, so you may wish to start new conversations with your contacts.

Let us know if you have any further questions.

[crcliff]

Hi, when I send text messages from my Pixel 7 Pro to my wife's Iphone she receives them in her email and not as a text message. Is that a problem or setting and on whose phone? How do I fix it?

[Cole1]

In my phone I have both options to choose email or phone, but it will not let me choose IMessage through my phone number. 

[WelshTerrier]

This happens when your Apple ID is activated with iMessage and the "Start new conversations from" setting is set to your email address instead of your phone number.

To change this, simply navigate to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and configure the settings to start new conversations from your phone number. You'll just need to check your phone number instead of your attached email. Keep in mind that the changes will only take effect for new conversations.

It will allow you to choose after your first message if is an iPhone that is receiving this message.

That has to do with Apple & iPhone. iMessage is first choice for messaging by Apple. If the device you are messaging is an Apple device, it will go via iMessage. If it is a non Apple device, it is treated as SMS texting.

iMessage only works with Apple devices. Once you send your first message it is smart enough to know the difference. (You will notice this with the different text / message colors : (Blue vs. Green)

This not an issue. This is  the norm.

Take care.

[Cole1]

When I click on my number I get “An error occurred during activation” and it will not select.

[WelshTerrier]

You mentioned in this reply: “An error occurred during activation” and it will not select. Are you activating this on a different or new Apple device? If so did you do a Backup? Restoral? SIM card removal first? Update? Etc.

If this is the cause, here is an Apple web link that will assist you. You may need to start over & do a reset if this is a transfer from one Apple device to another Apple device.

Transfer data from your previous iOS or iPadOS device to your new iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (CA...

If this is not the cause, then you should verify that your iPhone is up to date with most current iOS? Are your apps up to date as well? Have you done a full power off? If not, try powering off your iPhone completely. Press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. When your iPhone, is completely off, remove your SIM & reinstall it. Restart your iPhone. If your device is frozen or unresponsive, force restart your device. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

Let the Community know if you have any other questions.

Take care.

[Longhair]

With my new phone, why does my email come up instead of my phone number?

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

This is a community forum, a peer-to-peer website. As such we do not have access to your account & billing details.

Can you please elaborate on "why does my email come up instead of my phone number?" Please explain in detail.

Could you please provide me with just a few more details? Is this a new Bell mobile service? Is it a new device purchased from Bell Mobility? Which mobility plan do you have? Monthly or Prepaid plan? Is this a replacement SIM? Bring your own device? Account transfer? Did you recently port your number from another carrier?

Your device make & model? Is it up to date with most current iOS or OS? Apps? Have you fully powered Off/On your device?

Have you called Bell Mobility or visited a Bel store location to discuss your SIM activation?

Here is the Bell Mobility number: 1 800 667-0123 or *611 from any Bell mobile device

Please let us know on the Bell Community forum so that we can assist you.

Take care.

[Ontario19]

Hi there. I am having trouble sending a text (not a sms) to my son’s phone recently. We both have iPhones and he has a text and talk plan. When he is not on wifi, when I click the text to send it via text message, it tries to send it to his email. This only happens with his number and I get an error message saying that it can’t be sent. I spent a couple hours on apple support and we tried everything but none of the suggestions worked to fix the problem. I.e logging out of appleid, unclicking his email under send/receive settings, deleting his contact and reentering under a different name, deleting prior conversations with his number in them. He has no problem texting me. Seems like it’s my phone that’s the problem. The technician suggested I needed to get my number reset? Anybody have anything like this happen before? 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum

You have certainly been very busy & have provided a very comprehensive list. I put together a quick check list that I would like you to review & follow in chronological order the steps as they are numbered.

Can you share some further information with us? Are you experiencing this issue with any other recipient that you are sending a message using iMessage? Has this been an ongoing problem with your son's iPhone?

1. Make & model of your Apple device?
2. iOS version? is your device up to date?
3. Are all of your apps current?
4. Have you deleted all previous conversations with your son? 
5. Have you removed his contact information in its entirety & deleted all previous conversations?
6. Deleted iMessage settings for "New conversations"
7. Closed iMessage, Settings, contacts & rebooted your device.
8. Have you verified the iMessage receive settings on your son's device? Deleted all previous conversations & confirmed your contact information on his device? Rebooted his device?
9. Added your son to your contacts.
10. Added iMessage settings for "New conversations"

Please let us know & we will do our best to work with you.

Take care.

[Frustrated 9162]

I just got a new iPhone 16 with an e-Sim. I can make calls and do everything except send and receive iMessages from my phone using my phone number. It will only use my email. Even if I try click on the phone number it says Activation Error. I have tried every possible fix and still not working. Any suggestions

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

If iMessage isn't working after porting your number to Bell, it's likely due to iMessage still being associated with your old number. To resolve this, you'll need to deregister your phone number from iMessage by visiting Bell's Deregister iMessage site and following the instructions. After deregistering, you may need to turn iMessage and FaceTime off and on again to re-enable them with your new number.

Troubleshooting text, picture and media messaging : Cannot send or receive text messages.

If the problem persists, please contact Bell Customer Service: 1 800 667-0123 or dial  *611 from any Bell mobile device.

Let us know if this resolves your problem.

Take care.