They’re not sending group texts over the telecom network. This is because iMessage is Apple's own proprietary messaging platform. You’re not sending normal SMS text messages, which appear as green message bubbles. This means you’re actually using iMessage. When you’re texting on your iPhone with another iPhone user you see messages appear as blue bubbles. Rich features are the most visual difference between group text messaging and OTT messengers and chat apps. There’s typically no phone number involved. They add an extra layer on top of the existing telecom networks.īecause they add an extra layer, all the members of the group need to have the app downloaded and installed on their phones to send and receive messages. These types of apps are known as over-the-top messaging apps (OTTs). They send their own messages over the internet using their own networks and servers.
These text messages travel over existing telecom carrier networks and get stored on their servers.īut group messaging and group chat apps don’t necessarily send SMS text messages. Group text message apps send text messages to groups of contacts that have phone numbers. The biggest feature that separates types of group communication apps is what kind of messages they send and how they send them.
Group message types and how they get sent
Before you choose an app, you’ll want to know the differences between group texting apps, group messaging apps, and group chat apps.