Do you often send SMS messages to your friends, family or colleagues, but you don't always know if they have received and read your message?
This can be frustrating, especially if you're expecting an urgent or important response . Fortunately, there are tips to find out if your text message has been read by your recipient, whether you are using an Android or iPhone smartphone, or an instant messaging application like WhatsApp.
In this article, we will explain to you how to activate read receipts on your phone or on the internet, and how to interpret them . Follow the leader !
Read receipts on Android
If you have a phone with Android technology, you can use the Android Messages messaging app, which comes preinstalled on most Android devices that are not developed by Samsung.
To find out if your SMS has been read by your recipient, you need to enable chat features, which support the Rich Communication Services ) protocol.
This protocol allows you to send enriched messages, such as images, videos, emojis, or even read receipts. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Android Messages .
- Tap the three-dot menu ⋮ at the top right of the app.
- Tap Settings in the menu.
- Tap Chat Features .
- Enable chat features by sliding the switch to the right. It will turn green or blue to indicate that these new features are enabled.
Depending on your region, you may be asked to enable these features through a service called Jibe Mobile by Google . If so, it simply means that your provider is not fully configured with the RCS system.
Jibe Mobile is therefore a solution to this problem ! Simply read the terms of use and accept them if you wish to continue.
Once you enable chat features, you can send a text message while connected to the Internet ( Wi-Fi or mobile data ). When your recipient (who also has read receipts enabled) reads your message, you will see the word Read and the date below it. Your recipient will see the same indicator when you read their message.
Read receipts on iPhone
If you have an iPhone, you can use the Messages messaging app, which comes preinstalled on all Apple devices . To find out if your text message has been read by your recipient, you need to enable read receipts, which is a feature exclusive to iMessage .
iMessages are messages sent between iPhone users over an internet connection . They are distinguished from classic SMS by their blue color instead of green. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Settings .
- Select the Messages .
- Enable the Send Read Receipts by sliding the switch to the right. It will turn green to indicate that this feature is enabled.
Once you enable read receipts, you can send an iMessage while connected to the Internet ( Wi-Fi or mobile data ).
When your recipient (who also has Read Receipts enabled) reads your message, you'll see the word Read and the time below it. Your recipient will see the same indicator when you read their message.
Read receipts on the internet
On the internet, there are several instant messaging platforms that allow you to send text, audio or video messages to your contacts. Among the most popular are WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram and Skype.
These applications generally have the ability to activate read receipts to know if your message has been read by your recipient. Here's how to do it for each application:
- WhatsApp: Open the app, tap the three-dot menu ⋮ at the top right, tap Settings , then Account , then Privacy , and check the Read receipts . You will then see two blue checkmarks next to your message when your recipient has read it.
- Facebook Messenger: Open the app, tap your profile picture in the top left, tap Privacy , then Where you're active Status switch . You will then see a blue circle with a white check mark next to your message when your recipient has read it.
- Telegram: Open the app, tap the three-line menu ≡ at the top left, tap Settings , then Privacy & Security , then Last Login , and choose Everyone . You will then see two blue checkmarks next to your message when your recipient has read it.
- Skype: Open the app, tap your profile picture in the top left, tap the three-dot menu ⋮ in the top right, tap Settings , then Messaging , and turn on the Read receipts . You will then see a blue circle with a white check mark next to your message when your recipient has read it.
Summary table of read receipts
To help you see things more clearly, here is a summary table of read receipts according to the different messaging applications:
| Application | Feature Name | Visual indicator |
| Android Messages | Chat Features | Read + date |
| Messages (iPhone) | Reading Receipts | Read + time |
| Read receipts | Two blue checkmarks | |
| Facebook Messenger | Status | Blue circle with white check mark |
| Telegram | last connection | Two blue checkmarks |
| Skype | Read receipts | Blue circle with white check mark |
What is the difference between an SMS and an MMS?
An SMS ( Short Message Service ) is a text message that can contain up to 160 characters. An MMS ( Multimedia Messaging Service ) is a multimedia message that may contain images, videos, sounds or other types of files. SMS and MMS messages are sent via your operator's mobile network, not via the internet.
How do I know if my SMS was sent?
When you send a text message, you may see a visual indicator that informs you of the status of your message. Depending on the app you're using, it might be a check mark , circle , arrow, or other symbol. In general, these indicators mean:
- A gray checkmark or arrow : your message has been sent, but not yet received by your recipient.
- A check mark or green arrow : your message has been received by your recipient, but not yet read.
- Two checkmarks or two gray arrows : your message has been received and read by your recipient.
- An empty circle : your message is being sent.
- A full circle : your message has been sent successfully.
- A circle with a red cross : your message could not be sent.
How do I know if my MMS has been read?
When you send an MMS , you may also see a visual indicator that informs you of the status of your message. However, unlike SMS, MMS does not allow you to know if your message has been read by your recipient. You can only know if your message was sent and received.
The indicators are the same as for SMS, except there is no second checkmark or arrow to indicate reading.
Why was my SMS not read?
There could be several reasons why your SMS was not read by your recipient. Here are some examples :
- Your recipient has not activated read receipts on their phone or on the internet.
- Your recipient hasn't opened the messaging app since you sent your message.
- Your recipient has turned off notifications from the messaging app on their phone or online.
- Your recipient has blocked your number or account on the messaging app.
- Your recipient deleted your message without reading it.
- Your recipient has put their phone on airplane mode, offline, or do not disturb.
How do I get my SMS to be read?
If you want to increase the chances that your SMS will be read by your recipient, here are some tips:
- Send a short, clear message that gets to the point.
- Use words or phrases that catch your recipient's attention, such as their first name, a question, an emergency or a surprise.
- Choose the right time to send your message , avoiding off-peak times or periods when your recipient is busy or unavailable.
- Follow up with your recipient with another message or call if you don't hear back after a while.
- Be polite and respectful, and avoid sending messages that are too frequent , too long, or too aggressive.
How do I enable or disable read receipts for a specific contact?
If you want to enable or disable read receipts for a specific contact, you can do so by changing the chat settings with that contact.
This short video might be useful to you:
Here's how to do it depending on the application you're using:
- Android Messages: Open the conversation with the contact, tap the three-dot menu ⋮ at the top right, tap Details , and toggle the Send read receipts .
- Messages (iPhone): Open the conversation with the contact, tap the contact's name at the top, tap the i in the top right, and toggle the Send Read Receipts .
- WhatsApp : Open the conversation with the contact, tap the contact's name at the top, and turn the Read receipts .
- Facebook Messenger : Open the conversation with the contact, tap the contact's name at the top, tap Privacy , and turn the Status .
- Telegram : Open the conversation with the contact, tap the contact name at the top, tap the three-dot menu ⋮ at the top right, tap More , and toggle the Last Connected .
- Skype : Open the chat with the contact, tap the contact's name at the top, tap the three-dot menu ⋮ at the top right, tap Chat Settings , and turn the Read receipts .
Are read receipts reliable?
receipts are indicators that tell you about the status of your message , but they are not always 100% reliable. Indeed, there may be cases where read receipts are not updated correctly, or where they do not reflect reality. For example :
- Your recipient can read your message without opening the messaging app , using notifications on their lock screen or control center. In this case, read receipts will not be activated.
- Your recipient can read your message in airplane mode or offline , and only reconnect after a while. In this case, read receipts will be activated with a delay.
- Your recipient may read your message without paying attention , or forget it immediately. In this case, read receipts will be activated, but this does not mean that your recipient has understood or remembered your message.
How can I respect the privacy of my contacts with read receipts?
receipts are features that can be useful to know if your message has been read by your recipient , but they can also be perceived as an invasion of the privacy of your contacts.
This is because some contacts may not want you to know when they have read your message, or be required to respond to you immediately. To respect the privacy of your contacts with read receipts, here are some tips:
- Ask your contacts for permission before enabling read receipts for them . Explain to them why you want to use this feature, and respect their choice if they refuse.
- Do not abuse read receipts to harass your contacts. Don't send them messages that are too frequent, too long, or too aggressive. Don't blame them for not reading or responding to your message. Don't ask them for explanations about their online or offline status.
- Respect the pace and preferences of your contacts. Do not send them messages at inappropriate times or during their unavailable periods. Do not impose your method of communication on them. Adapt to their style and personality.
But how do read receipts work ? What is the mechanism that allows you to know if your message has been read by your recipient? This is called the acknowledgment (ack) code . This is a digital code that is sent by your recipient's phone or messaging app when they read your message.
This code is then received by your phone or messaging app, which displays the corresponding visual indicator (Read, two blue checkmarks, etc.). The acknowledgment code may vary depending on the protocol used ( SMS, RCS, iMessage, etc. ), but it always has the same function: confirm reading of the message.
Conclusion
You now know how to know if your SMS has been read by your recipient, whether you are using an Android or iPhone smartphone, or an instant messaging application. Simply activate read receipts on your phone or online , and watch the visual indicators that tell you the status of your message.
This way, you will no longer have to wonder if your interlocutor has received and read your message, and you will be able to communicate more effectively .
But what to do if the recipient does not receive the SMS you send them? The problem may be with your phone, your carrier, or your recipient's phone. Here are some ways to resolve this problem:
- Make sure you have network and are not in airplane mode, offline, or do not disturb mode.
- Check that you have entered the correct telephone number of your recipient , not forgetting the country code if necessary.
- Make sure you haven't blocked or deleted your recipient's contact on your phone or messaging app.
- Check that you have enough credit or plan to send SMS.
- Restart your phone or try sending a text message with another phone.
- Contact your operator to check that there are no technical problems or restrictions on your line.
- Ask your recipient to check that they have network and that they haven't blocked or deleted your contact on their phone or messaging app.
- Ask your recipient to restart their phone or try receiving a text message from another contact.
