If you’re an Android user, you might have encountered a seemingly cryptic message, “sent as sms via server,” popping up when you’re messaging. Some users might mistake this notification for being blocked, but that’s not the case. This article will delve into the meaning of “sent as sms via server,” why it appears, and how to manage it on your Android device.
The Dawn of RCS and its Connection to “Sent As Sms Via Server”
In 2023, Google introduced a cutting-edge messaging protocol – Rich Communication Services (RCS). This new technology has effectively revamped traditional SMS messaging on Android phones. It’s similar to advanced features seen in Apple’s iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp. RCS not only enriches the quality of text messages, but it also enables users to send larger files without the need for compression. So, what does RCS have to do with “sent as sms via server”? The correlation lies in the fact that, with RCS protocol, the familiar read receipt is substituted with this very message. Hence, if you’re using RCS, you’ll see “sent as sms via server” instead of the conventional read receipts.
Role of Network Carrier
Another factor influencing the “sent as sms via server” message is your network carrier. While RCS protocol is revolutionary, not all network carriers support it as of 2023. For instance, if you’re using RCS but your recipient’s carrier doesn’t, the message converts to SMS. Consequently, you’ll see the “sent as sms via server” notification. Nevertheless, many carriers are transitioning to RCS, so this issue should dissipate over time.
Concerns About “Sent As Sms Via Server”
While the “sent as sms via server” message can feel perplexing, it’s typically not a cause for alarm. If it bothers you, there are ways to deal with it. Here, we’re providing a set of solutions to help you tackle this issue on your Android phone, specifically focusing on a Samsung Galaxy device. Note that procedures might differ based on your device model.
How to Avoid “Sent As Sms Via Server”
The simplest way to avoid seeing “sent as sms via server” is to turn on the “Show when delivered” feature in your Messaging app. Here are the steps:
Time needed: 3 minutes
- Opening the Messaging App
Start your journey towards resolving the issue by opening the Messaging app from your phone’s menu. This app serves as your primary platform for textual communication.
- Accessing the Options
Once you’re in the Messaging app, spot the three vertical dots at the top right corner of your screen. These dots represent the Options menu, which holds various customizable features.
- Diving into Settings
From the dropdown menu that emerges upon clicking the three dots, go ahead and select the Settings option. This is where you’ll find the controls to manage your Messaging app.
- Exploring the Advanced Tab
In the Settings menu, you’ll see an option named ‘Advanced’. Navigate to this tab to uncover more specific settings.
- Locating GSM
Within the Advanced tab, seek out an option titled ‘Get GSM Delivery Reports’. Note that this might be named ‘Delivery reports’ in some device models.
- Activating GSM
Once you’ve located this option, toggle it to the ON position. This activation might come in the form of enabling the “show when delivered” option on specific Android devices.
Purge the Device Cache Partition
Your Android device might act up due to redundant cache memory from various apps, including the Messaging app. Clearing the app’s cache might resolve the issue. Remember, this won’t delete any data, apps, or configurations, just unneeded temporary files. Here’s how you do it:
- Find and select the Settings app from your phone’s menu.
- Navigate to Apps.
- On the Apps screen, find the Messaging app.
- Go to Storage.
- Tap on the Clear Cache option located at the lower right corner of the screen.
Switch to Safe Mode
If the “sent as sms via server” message persists, the final resort is to reboot your device in Safe mode. Safe mode restricts all third-party apps, preventing the message from appearing if it was from an app. Here’s how:
- Switch off your Samsung device.
- Hold down the Volume key and Power key simultaneously for a few seconds.
- Release the Power key once the Samsung logo appears and continue to press the Volume down button until the device boots into safe mode. Safe Mode will be displayed at the bottom left corner of the screen.
- To exit Safe mode, simply turn the device off and on again.
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Conclusion
Receiving a “sent as sms via server” notification is not a cause for concern. However, if you prefer the traditional read receipts, you have solutions to mitigate this. In this article, we’ve discussed the meaning, causes, and solutions related to this message, providing a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing this phenomenon on your Android device.
Frequently Asked Questions
This message appears when you send a text using the RCS protocol to a recipient who only uses SMS. The recipient will receive the text as an SMS, but any multimedia content will be unable to deliver.
The shift from read receipts to this SMS notification is due to the introduction of the RCS protocol in 2023.
Most modern Android devices, particularly Samsung phones, support RCS.
The multimedia content doesn’t get delivered because the recipient’s device only supports SMS messaging protocol. To successfully send multimedia messages, both devices should support the RCS protocol.
Activating the ‘Show when delivered’ option does not necessarily prevent these notifications. However, it provides an indication of successful message delivery, potentially reducing the instances of “sent as sms via server” messages.