I’m not a fan of the “war” between Android and Apple when it comes to SMS/texting. The rest of the world doesn’t use SMS/RCS/iMessage as much as WhatsApp and the like, so the US is pretty much lagging behind everyone else on this anyway.
That being said, I have to admit Android did a good job with this!
They aren’t, as they require you to pay a monthly fee with a carrier to receive SMS. Data-only plans do not receive SMS.
Roaming charges also apply. As a Canadian, it costs me $14-16 per DAY to receive a text if I leave the country.