iPhone iOS9 update forces me to use iMessage, how can I revert to sending only sms/mms?

[pyo2015]

iPhone iOs9 update CAN only send via iMessage but DO NOT want to.  How do I send via sms/mms only?  I've tried disabling iMessage in settings - if I do this I am UNABLE to send a text at all to anyone who has an iPhone.  Please help.

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[FidoManuel]

Hey pyo2015!

Make sure to enable the ''send as sms'' setting in your phone. 

To proceed you can go in settings->messages->Enable send as sms. 

That should fix the problem, keep me updated on the situation. 

[pyo2015]

Hi Manuel!  Thanks so much for taking the time to answer.

I did repeatedly go into SETTINGS - MESSAGES, and switched iMessage OFF, the only option is for MMS Messaging which I turned ON. (The option for Send as SMS only appears when I turn iMessage ON)

However, I still cannot send regular text messages to anyone with an iPhone.  And I am not getting any texts from users who are using iMessage.

I've tried a RESET NETWORK SETTINGS, but this did nothing.

I'm upset because I could send and receive regular text messages to everyone before the update.

I've looked online for a solution but cant find anything... any further advice would be appreciated.

[FidoKenny · Accepted solution]

Hey pyo2015.

So when you go on Settings/Messages. Are you able to put the toggle off for Imessage?

This will allow you to send only SMS.

Let me know.