A device may receive, from an application function device (AF), a message intended for a destination user device, wherein the message conforms to a first format. The device may obtain, from a unified data management device (UDM), information indicating that the destination user device is capable of receiving messages that conform to a second format. The device may convert, based on the information indicating that the destination user device is capable of receiving messages that conform to the second format, the message from the first format to the second format. The device may send, after converting the message from the first format to the second format, the message to a short message service function device (SMSF) via a direct connection between the device and the SMSF, wherein the SMSF sends the message to the destination user device.