what does sent as text message mean

When you send a message on your smartphone, you may see the status "Sent as Text Message." This term typically indicates that your message was sent using the Short Message Service (SMS) instead of an internet-based messaging platform like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Messenger. SMS relies on your cellular network to transmit messages and doesn't require an active internet connection. This happens for various reasons, such as when the recipient is offline, not using the same messaging app, or if you manually opted to send the message as a standard text. Unlike multimedia messaging services (MMS), which support images and videos, SMS is limited to plain text and has a character limit, often capped at 160 characters per message. Understanding this distinction can help you manage communication effectively. For example, SMS may incur charges depending on your mobile plan, while internet-based messages often operate over Wi-Fi or mobile data, making them cost-effective for frequent users.