Wondering how to set up the Messages app on your Mac? Here's how!
Messages on macOS lets you communicate with friends, family, and coworkers across a variety of different platforms, including Apple's own iMessage, along with SMS and services from Google, Yahoo, and AOL. But if you're new to the Mac or have just never set up Messages, you might be wondering how to get started with the app.
Follow these simple steps, and you'll be chatting with your friends in no time at all.
How to set up Messages on the Mac
- Launch Messages from your desktop, dock, or Applications folder.
- Enter your Apple ID email address and password. If you have two-step or two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID, enter your verification code.
Click on Messages in the Menu bar and select Preferences.
Select the Accounts tab.
Select the phone number and email addresses at which you would like to be reached.
Choose which phone number or email address people will see when you start a new conversation.
Questions?
Let us know in the comments below!
Reader comments
How to set up iMessage on your Mac with macOS Sierra
So... I was using SMS and iMessage on my MBP without issue on El Capitan. I partitioned the internal HD and put Sierra onto the 2nd partition, and enabled two-step/factor authentication inside the Sierra setup.
...but I found that I need to wait for a few more software updates to some 3rd party things before I can use Sierra exclusively, so I always boot into El Capitan - but now the SMS relay part of Message/iMessage isn't working anymore! While booted into El Cap on my MBP, I can go to the SMS Relay settings on my iPhone (iOS 10, FWIW) and I see that my MBP is listed and enabled.
Any ideas how to fix? I don't know if this is due to Sierra existing with my Apple ID, or two-step being set up, or something being updated somewhere else.
Your timing for this article was perfect!
Trying to setup messages on my iMac and iPads. When I get into the preferences/settings box on both devices, there is no provision to add my phone number, just my email address(es). Trying to figure out what I'm missing.
Any pointers?
Try setting up Call Relay on your Mac. http://www.imore.com/how-set-up-and-use-call-relay-on-mac