The iOS 17.2 beta causes a very annoying bug for people subscribed to Free. SMS messages are no longer sent correctly due to what appears to be a configuration error on Apple’s side.
iOS 17.2 is available in beta for developers on the many iPhones compatible with this version of Apple’s OS. The update includes an interesting new application to discover… but also a very annoying bug for Free Mobile customers.
Indeed, Tiino-X83, a well-informed Internet user on Free published several messages on X (ex Twitter) to point out a very annoying problem. Since he installed the iOS 17.2 beta on his iPhone, he has been unable to send SMS messages normally.
What is actually happening? In the iOS 17.2 beta, Apple is forcing IMS — “Internet Message Support” — for calls and texts. In other words, the update forces these types of communication to go through Wi-Fi or the 4G (LTE) network.
For calls, no problem – also note that Free activated VoWiFi in 2022 (much behind the competition). However, SMS via 4G are not yet available with IMS if you are a Free subscriber. Let us point out that SMS in 4G (and 5G) usually work with Free, it is really in IMS that the operator has not yet opened this service, undoubtedly for several technical reasons, but we do not know what they are.
Normally, iOS is able to detect this incompatibility and switches automatically so as not to create a problem. Unfortunately, the iOS 17.2 beta does not adopt this behavior.
A temporary solution
In a first message, Tiino-X83 explained that sending and receiving SMS messages became impossible. In another publication, he corrects the information by explaining that only sending SMS is affected.
Contacted by Frandroid, Tiino-X83 claims that there is a little trick to get around the problem, but it is really a backup solution while waiting for a fix. “ The only way around [le souci] is to activate Wi-Fi calling, then be connected to Wi-Fi (you must “ Free Wifi Calls » is displayed in the status bar) », he explains to us.
Free is aware of the problem, Apple has been contacted
Our interlocutor also indicates that he contacted Free and that the teams of the mobile operator and himself “ sent the reports » to Apple and that they are currently “ waiting for a response “.
Tiino-X83 also mitigates the problem by reminding that it is a beta version and that this problem should not appear in the stable version of iOS 17.2. However, he adds that “ This is really the first time that there is such a big problem in a beta “. Let’s hope that the situation does not drag on and that it will be resolved in the public beta.
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