iPhone sending messages as email

[swampcritter2]

I have an android phone. My friend has an iPhone 14. His Message app is set to “Send as SMS.” But when he sends me a message, I receive an email. The return address on the email is his phone number ([email protected].) Why is this happening and how do we fix it?

[FuzzyLogic]

Is it possible they are sending to a number that doesn't accept SMS (such as a land line)? I can't think of any other reason why it would arrive as an email.

[swampcritter2]

The only number my friend has for me is my cellphone number. He doesn't have my land line number. I'm thinking that this problem must be caused by some settings or processes on the iPhone, because once the message is handed off to the carrier, there would be no way for the carrier to determine my email address.