How to enable and active (or re-activate) iMessage
iMessage lets you send and receive SMS-like text messages, and MMS-style multimedia messages just like a phone. Instead of a just a phone number, however, it uses your email address, and it only works with other Apple devices, like other iPads, iPhones, iPod touches, and Mac. Before you can start using messages, and sending texts, photos, videos, voice memos, locations, and contact cards, however, you need to set it up.
If you set up your device using iCloud there's a change iMessage is already set up as well, and good to go. If not, we'll show you how to get started, and get messaging, quickly.
How to enable iMessage on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad
When you first update or turn on iOS 5, you'll be asked to login
When you first install, or first start using, iOS 5 for the first time, you'll be asked to login with your iCloud account, or create one if you don't have one already. Once you do that, iMessage is automatically enabled for you. If you don't think it's enabled, or you want to check:
- Launch Settings
- Tap Messages in the sidebar on the left
- Toggle iMessage to On (if it isn't already)
How to enable iMessage on your Mac
When you first install, or first start using, OS X Mountain Lion for the first time, you'll be asked to login with your iCloud account, or create one if you don't have one already. Once you do that, iCloud is automatically created for you. If you don't think it's enabled, or you want to change settings, you can also do that manually.
- Launch Messages on your Mac
- Click on the *Messages** menu and choose Preferences (or just type CMD+,)
- Make sure the Enable this account is checked.
How to re-activate iMessage on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iMac
iMessage is a service run on Apple's servers, and the first time it connects it needs to activate and register the Apple ID you're using with the device you're using. The way it does that is by having you login with your Apple ID. If the connection is ever lost for some reason, it may ask you to do it again.
If for some reason it looks like iMessage is stuck on the Activation screen, wait for a few minutes, then try the following, in the following order:
- Turn iMessage off and then on again, wait a few minutes
- Turn Airplane mode on and then off again, turn iMessage off and then on again, wait a few minutes
- Make sure your iPad is on Wi-Fi, reboot your iPad, turn iMessage off and then on again, wait a few minutes
- Wait and try again later -- Apple's servers can get overwhelmed or experience outages just like anyone else's
If none of that works, jump into our forum and we'll troubleshoot with you.
Once iMessage activates you can send and receive texts and multimedia messages with other Apple users just like SMS and MMS.
There are 6 comments. Add yours.
Sending SMS- and MMS-like messages from a non-phone iOS device? But only to other Apple devices? There are already a number of apps in the App Store that let you do this, without the Apple-only restriction. Many even give you a phone number to receive regular SMS texts from any cell phone. (Google Talk, TextFree, etc.)
What is the appeal of platform-specific messaging programs like iMessage and BBM? Is it just for people who don't want to be your friend if you have a different kind of cell phone?
Use case: you have a iPhone and iPad. You will always have the phone but not the pad with you. When using the iPad you want to be able to handle your SMS/MMS right on the pad just like you do with email. iMessage is great but you still want to communicate with non ios users without constantly switching devices.
How do you do this without going to GV which is only SMS? How can the two devices be synced so if you respond on one device the other keeps the same threads and dismisses the notifications.
This seems like a usability case that Apple would be great at addressing and should address. Have they and I am missing something?
In some respects it seems as if the iPad should become a large phone when using it, having the option to even control the iPhone with ease. Putting the iPad up to your ear is silly, but with a headset this integration would be really astounding.
I have both an iPhone and an iPad. For some reason, I can't get iMessage on my iPad to sync with my phone. Any ideas?
I don't get it. iMessage seems like it could have been awesome a decade ago, but who really IMs these days? People text. But iMessage isn't even IMing. It's IMing to a limited specific group of people. I realize Apple is thinking of iMessage as another way to bring people into the Apple ecosystem, but the limitation makes it less user friendly, not more.
If I could use iMessage with google voice texting, it would be my go-to app. But just for messaging other Apple users? Even my Apple friends are more likely to send a text - often with Google Voice.
All of my iPhone s are showing up except my son's. If he is out of town (roaming), does that make a difference? It wont take his cell number. He is out of state at college. Thanks
I don't have I message