dont think you can with the stock message app unless you root and install a mod for it.

you can if you use handcent though as your messaging app. theres an option in settings to not convert to mms if messages exceeds 3 sms

 

You can't change it in the stock app - that's what Skimminstones said.

 

Any message you compose that has 480 characters or more will be converted into an MMS. This is a restriction on SMS technology, I think?, due to the amount of data involved.

In fact the limit is 160 characters per text but latest technology allows you to string 3 x 160 blocks together as one message, then it's up to the receiving device to put the 3 blocks together as they were composed.

So either break up your messages into 480 character messages, carry on composing and send as MMS, or send an email instead.

 

Messages > Menu > Settings > Creation mode. And select Restricted.

Edit:

If this doesn't work then just look out for the little warning message when composing.

 

dude, just download handcent and use that

 

I use handcent and it still converts long sms' to mms. even though it's set not to do it.

 

in which case it cant be done. End thread!

 

I think that's true. I remember doing something like 5 messages once. Of course it might have been changed to MMS without you noticing it. No warning ever came up like in SGS2. Regardless, why do you write such long sms?

 

Hi,
Also annoyed about the auto convert from "free" to "charged" messages and I'd like to switch it off. Either allow more messages to be concatenated or just stop allowing entry at the end of the third message. Simples.

In reply to anyone who thinks that more than three SMS cannot be done due to some limit in the protocol, my daughter just got a new (white) SGS2 on Orange (same as me) and she sent me a 4 x SMS message today...(screengrab)...but when I try it the "0/3" changes to "1KB" and the "converting" popup appears.

Her phone is evidence that it can be done. She's on 2.3.4, I just went from 2.3.3 to 2.3.5 and I still can't get to the 4th SMS.
Must be a "deep"/hidden config setting of some kind. I guess the carriers just want the money.

 

Download and install Handcent > settings > send message settings > uncheck auto convert
and away you go.
In the stock app settings uncheck notifications and that will allow only hancent notification in the task bar

 

On stock application it is not possible. Use "GoSMSPro". I'm using it on my SGS2 and you can send more than 3 text messages as sms. It wont convert it to an mms. Plus it is free, with lot of customizations and without any ads.

 

Disable notifications in the standard messaging app (the "stock" one) if using third-party apps so as not to receive duplicate notifications.

 

Handecent will switch off the stock notification for you.

Start Handcent.
Menu - settings
Application Settings
Default Messaging Application
Select "All (SMS & MMS)"

Then, to stop it converting to sms make sure as others have said, go into :
menu - setting
send message settings
Untick "Auto converto to MMS"

 

GO SMS Pro did the trick for me.

 

messages>settings>multimedia message limit> set your own limit......

 

Not what the OP asked. That multimedia message limit does not prevent changing of SMS into MMS.

 

No way to fix the issue in the stock messaging app. Had to install Handcent. by the way you can report the issue here :

code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=2318

 

All SMS on any phone has a limit. An N900 (great phone still) sends any size SMS, but check your bill you'll find a l ong text will use more than one standard text. It is the way some phones handle SMS that is different.