Messages lets you quickly and easily chat over iMessage or SMS/MMS — all you have to do is set it up!
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 Macs. 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 chance 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 activate iMessage for iPhone or iPad
- How to add multiple email address to iMessage on iPhone and iPad
- How to turn read receipts on or off in iMessage for iPhone or iPad
- How to turn message previews on or off in iMessage for iPhone and iPad
- How to set up and use SMS/MMS relay to send and receive texts on your iPad
How to activate iMessage for iPhone or iPad
If you set up your iPhone using iCloud, chances are iMessage was activated along with it. If not, or if you ever need to re-activate it, it's simple to do!
- Launch the Setting app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on Messages.
- Turn iMessage to On and wait for it to activate.
Once iMessage activates you can send and receive texts and multimedia messages with other Apple users just like SMS and MMS! These instructions work for times when you need to re-activate iMessage as well due to a network error. Just toggle it on and off and you should be good to go!
How to add multiple email address to iMessage on iPhone and iPad
If you have additional email addresses you want to link to iMessage, be they iCloud/Me/Mac, Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail accounts, it's easy to set them up as well.
- Launch the Settings app from your Home screen.
- Swipe up to scroll down the menu.
Tap Messages.
Tap Send & Receive.
- Tap Add Another Email.... It is located underneath the You can be reached by iMessage at: section.
Type in the email address you'd like to add and hit return on your keyboard.
You'll receive an email asking you to confirm you have access to the entered email account. Once you do that you're ready to start sending iMessages from the newly added address!
How to turn read receipts on or off in iMessage for iPhone or iPad
Read receipts let your contacts see whether or not you've viewed their iMessages. While some people may consider read receipts creepy, others may find them useful for work and business situations.
- Launch the Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Messages.
Now either turn Read Receipts on or off depending on your preference.
How to turn message previews on or off in iMessage for iPhone and iPad
By default, iOS will show a short preview of your iMessage (or SMS) on both the Lock screen and Home screen. If you'd rather have your notification only show the sender's name, however, you can easily adjust the settings of the Messages app to do so.
- Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap Notifications.
Tap Messages.
Tap the Show Previews switch to turn it off.
Reader comments
How to set up and activate iMessage for iPhone and iPad
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
Hi, I've been on iPhone for a while and love it. But:
My sister just got an iphone, her iMessage is activated etc, but because she wasn't on iPhone before, we sent normal texts to each other. How do I change that to send as iMessage now? Normally with new contacts it detects whether they have iMessage automatically...
Also the same problem with someone else who was in a bad reception area once where iMessage couldn't work so I sent them a message as text, and now it keeps sending them texts even though they have an iphone...
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Can't send video or fb messenger