Apple today released a new web tool for users to deregister their phone number from iMessage in the event they switched to a non-Apple device. To deregister a phone number from iMessage, users simply enter their phone number in Apple's web tool, receive a free text message containing a code, and submit the code to complete the process. Users who still have their original iPhone can also transfer their SIM card back to the device and go to Settings -> Messages to turn iMessage off.
/article-new/2014/11/deregisterimessage.jpg?lossy)
Users switching from an iPhone to another device were often unable to receive SMS messages from another iPhone due to their phone number still being linked to iMessage. These specific errors with iMessage have been a well-known issue since 2011, which is when the messaging service debuted with iOS 5. They were also made even more apparent this past May, where a server glitch caused widespread message delivery problems. Apple was even sued over the matter in a California court, although the company claimed that it was aware of the issue and could not provide a fix.
Apple's web tool for deregistering phone numbers from iMessage is available now.
Top Rated Comments
I figured that was obvious, sign-in to iMessage.
What makes you think they even use SQL in the first place. In the real world everything isn't as easy as deleting a database record.
"Is people so dumb?" - You seriously think you're qualified to report on the intelligence of others?
As someone who experienced this issue when I made the decision to switch to Android in March, I can tell you that it absolutely was not that simple. I switched off iMessage a week before I made the switch. I also removed my number from my Apple account in every place possible, and I still had MAJOR issues. I'm much more technically inclined than the average user and I took every possible measure to avoid a problem before I switched and it didn't help. In researching it, it was obvious that the problem has been going on for YEARS and Apple simply refused to fix it or even acknowledge that there was a problem. The information available on their website claimed that it was as simple as disabling iMessage and also that it might take up to 45 DAYS. Absolutely ridiculous.
Even two weeks after I made the switch, having taken all possible preparations in advance I was still having issues. I was even having issues with iPhone numbers that I had never once texted before I made the switch. I verified through testing that texts to my phone from an iPhone number I had never called or texted before did not go through. It only worked when I changed the default option for "Send as SMS" from off to on. Btw, upon the switch to iOS7 Apple reset that option to off for all iPhones regardless of how it was set before the update ensuring that this problem would continue, since surely an iPhone user is so concerned about using up their text messages that they would prefer for failed iMessages not to be sent as texts. They also don't want to be notified that their message failed to send.
It's pretty obvious why Apple refused to fix this problem until they were sued. It made people who switched away from iPhone think there was a problem with their new phone. They switched and all of a sudden they're not getting their text messages. 99% of users would think that the problem was with their new phone, and they did. Apple not only hurt their former customers with their actions, they also damaged the businesses of other manufacturers, retailers, and carriers. Hopefully those businesses are able to sue Apple for the damage they intentionally caused.
Apple fans - admit it, either Apple is totally incompetent or Apple was maliciously holding former iPhone owners numbers hostage to trick them into thinking there was a problem with their new phone. Take your pick. I'm willing to concede either, but I don't think they're stupid. They're very good a manipulating the uninformed.