How to Deregister iMessage From Your Phone Number

Apple on Sunday launched a new method that allows user to decouple their phone number from iMessage.  This will come in handy when switching away from an iPhone to a “non-Apple device”.  This resolves the long-awaited issue of users who’ve switched away form the iPhone, but forget to disable iMessage.

The site Apple has created has allowed users two methods to disassociate your phone number from iMessage.  One, for users who have an old iPhone laying around, and the other for users who don’t.  The steps are fairly simple, though we’ve put together a simple tutorial on how to do so.

With an existing iPhone

Step 1: Put your existing (active) SIM card into the iPhone.

Step 2: Ensure you’re connected to a cellular data network.

Step 3: On the iPhone, select settings, messages, and turn the iMessage toggle to off.

Without an iPhone

Step 1: On Apple’s site there should be a text entry box asking you for your phone number. Go ahead and type in your phone number.

Step 2: Apple will then send an SMS verification code to your device currently connected with that SIM card.  Type in the 6-digit verification code Apple has sent to that device.

Step 3: Tap submit, and you have successfully decoupled your phone number from iMessage.  All of your iMessage friends should now be able to send as SMS or Text Message.

Since the launch of iMessage in 2011, users have complained that when switching away from an iPhone, messages still come through as iMessage, not text message.  Apple confirmed earlier this year they had no idea how to resolve this issue.