One of the conveniences that the Apple Messages feature (formerly known as "iMessage") offers is that you can receive messages across multiple Apple devices. In order to receive messages between devices, you need to register a phone number on your iPhone and use the same Apple ID on all of your devices. This wikiHow teaches you how to add a phone number to Apple Messages on iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers.
Step
Method 1 of 2: On iPhone and iPad
Step 1. Open the settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by a gray gear icon located on the device's home screen. If you don't find it, you can view this icon in your app library or by searching for it.
If you're using an iPad, complete these steps on the iPhone first, then return to the iPad to activate the phone number
Step 2. Swipe the screen and touch Messages
This option is in the fifth group of settings menu.
Step 3. Touch Send & Receive
Step 4. Type in your Apple ID and password if you don't automatically sign in to your account
If you are prompted to sign in to your Apple ID, touch “ Sign In ” to access the account first. If you want to use a different Apple ID, select “ Use Other Apple ID ”, then log in using the desired account username and password.
After logging in, the phone number will automatically be added to the page
Step 5. Touch the phone number if there is no blue tick next to it
If you don't see the blue tick to the left of the number, touch the number to add it. That way, you can use the phone number in Apple Messages.
Method 2 of 2: On MacOS
Step 1. Open the Messages app on a Mac computer
This app is marked by a green icon with a white chat bubble. You can find it in Launchpad and in the “Applications” folder.
Make sure you've set up a phone number on your iPhone before you can add a number to the Messages app on a Mac
Step 2. Sign in to your Apple ID
If this is your first time opening the Messages app or your computer isn't yet connected to your account, you'll be prompted to sign in to your Apple ID. Make sure you're signed in to the Apple ID that's also used on the iPhone. This way, the appropriate phone number can be added to the Apple Messages app on the computer.
Step 3. Click the Messages menu
It's in the top-left corner of the menu bar.
Step 4. Click Preferences on the menu
Step 5. Click the iMessage tab
This tab is the second tab at the top of the window.
Check the Apple ID at the top of the window. If you are signed in to a different ID than the ID that is active on the iPhone, click “ Sign Out ” and enter the appropriate ID.
Step 6. Check the box next to the phone number
If the box is checked, you don't need to make any changes. As long as your number is checked, you can use it in the Messages app.
Step 7. Select an option from the "Start new conversations from" menu
If you want people you're messaging from a computer to know that messages were sent via a phone number, and not an Apple ID, select your number from this drop-down menu at the bottom of the window. Otherwise, you can choose an Apple ID.