What's Considered Long-Distance Texting? How to Figure Out if You'll Be Charged Extra

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

With the internet and social media connecting us more than ever, many of us are faced with the challenge of reaching out to someone internationally. While sending a text to a friend or family member in another country is easier than calling them, depending on your phone plan, the cost for those text messages can start to add up. We’ve answered your questions about texting over a long distance so you can decide how many messages to send to your loved one.

Question 1 of 7:

Does texting count as long distance?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For most phone plans, you can send a text anywhere in your home country free of charge. If you’re texting someone in a different country, you may get charged extra depending on your phone plan. If you aren’t sure, contact your phone provider and ask them about the rates for international texting. [1]
    • In most phone plans, if you have an unlimited data plan, you can send texts anywhere in the world without getting charged extra.
    2. Advertisement
Question 2 of 7:

How far can a text message be delivered?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you have a phone plan, you can send a text to anyone in any country. Unless they’re outside of cell range, the distance between you two shouldn’t matter.
    • If you don’t have an unlimited phone plan, sending texts outside of your network may cost you a roaming charge. Roaming charges usually kick in anytime your cell phone connects to a network that isn’t yours—for instance, if you have Verizon but your phone connects to a Sprint tower to send your message.
Question 3 of 7:

Can I text internationally for free?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Some phone plans cover international texting, while others charge you for it. If you do get charged, it will probably be around $0.25 per international text you send. [2]
    • For pictures and videos, it’s usually around $0.50 each message.
    • You can find the details of your phone plan on your carrier’s website.
    2. Advertisement
Question 4 of 7:

Do I get charged for receiving international texts?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In general, most phone plans only charge for outgoing messages, not incoming ones. If you get a text from someone in another country, you won’t be charged as long as you don’t reply to it. [3]
Question 5 of 7:

Does iMessage use long distance?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    As long as you are connected to the internet, you can send an iMessage anywhere in the world. The receiver also has to be connected to WiFi to use iMessage, though. Keep in mind that the iMessage function is only for iOS users—if you have an Android, try downloading WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger to send messages via WiFi. [4]
    • If your iMessage isn’t enabled, go to Settings > Messages > iMessage, then switch the toggle to “On.”
    • You can also send an iMessage as an SMS or a normal text message if it’s not delivering. Simply tap and hold the message, then select “Send as text message.” Keep in mind that if your phone plan doesn’t cover international texting, you might be charged for sending an international text.
    2. Advertisement
Question 6 of 7:

Can I iMessage internationally for free?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Since you are sending messages via the internet, you can always use iMessage for free no matter which phone plan you have. In fact, you can even use iMessage to send texts even if you don’t have a phone plan. [5]
Question 7 of 7:

What happens if a text message is too long?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Is-Considered-Long-Distance-Texting-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Some phone plans won’t let you send a text message that exceeds their maximum character count (the character count varies depending on your phone carrier). If that’s the case, your phone will probably show an error message, and you can split the message up yourself to send it in 2 parts. [6]
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Virtual Truth or Dare Questions to Keep Things Interesting
      How to
      Respond to a "How Was Your Day?" Text
      10 Ways to Keep a Girl Interested over Text
      DND: What It Means & How to Respond
      How to
      Make a Guy Horny over Text
      How to
      Prank Someone over Text
      How to
      Talk to a Girl by Texting
      "Message Blocking is Active:" What to Do if You Can't Send Texts
      How to
      Make a Girl's Hormones Rise over Text
      How to
      Reply to “What Are You Doing?” over Text: Creative Answers to Sound Fun & Flirty
      11 Texts to Tell a Girl She's Beautiful
      13 Things to Do When a Girl Doesn't Reply to Your Texts
      12 Ways to Make Him Miss You Like Crazy over Text (with Examples)
      How to
      Respond to an "I Miss You" Text
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/text-messaging-faqs/
      2. ↑ https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1231660/
      3. ↑ https://forums.att.com/conversations/data-messaging-features-internet-tethering/do-i-get-charged-for-incoming-att-international-texts/5defcec0bad5f2f606bb37ef
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT207006
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT207006
      6. ↑ https://forums.att.com/conversations/other-phones-devices/text-message-too-long/5df004c6bad5f2f6067618d7

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 64,279 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement