iMessages are messages between iOS devices that are sent using an internet connection. With iMessage, iPhone, Mac, iPad, and iPod Touch devices can receive messages when connected to a Wi-Fi (wireless internet) or 3G/4G network. Your iOS device will automatically send an iMessage if you message another user who is also using iMessage.
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Part 1 of 5: Understanding the Basics of Using iMessage
Step 1. Send an iMessage using the Messages app
Like SMS, iMessages are also sent via the Messages application. iMessages and SMS sent to one person will enter into the same conversation.
Step 2. Send messages to fellow Apple users without using your carrier's SMS rates
With iMessage, you can send messages to other Apple users. iMessage will not put a character limit on your messages. The message will be sent automatically. No need to change apps if you want to send messages to different people.
Messages sent to other iMessage users will be blue, while SMS messages will be green
Step 3. Enable iMessage on all your Apple devices
iMessages will be sent to all your Apple devices as long as they are connected to the internet. iMessage is not available on Android devices or Windows computers.
Step 4. Connect the device with wireless network or mobile data to use iMessage
iMessage requires an internet connection. You need to be connected to a Wi-Fi or 3G/4G network to use it. If your iPhone is not connected to the internet then iMessage will change to SMS. If your iPod or iPad is not connected to a wireless network then you cannot use iMessage.
iMessage won't reduce your credit, but it will reduce your cellular data if you're not on Wi-Fi
Part 2 of 5: Enabling iMessage
Step 1. Create an Apple ID
To use iMessage, you need an Apple ID. You need to sign in to each device using this ID. iMessage will be synced across your devices.
You can create an Apple ID for free at appleid.apple.com/account. You need to enter the correct email address to verify the account
Step 2. Sign in to your iOS device using your Apple ID
When you already have an Apple ID, you can use it on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. You can use your ID on multiple devices.
- Open Settings and select "Messages".
- Press "iMessage" to activate it and tap "Use your Apple ID for iMessage" (iPhone only).
- Enter your Apple ID and password. Wait a moment for iMessage to activate.
Step 3. Enable iMessage on your OS X computer
You can send and receive iMessages from your OS X computer running OS Mountain Lion or later.
- Open the Messages app. You can find it in the Dock or in the Applications folder.
- Click the "Messages" menu and select "Preferences".
- Make sure your Apple ID is selected. If you haven't signed in with your Apple ID, click the + button and sign in.
- Check the "Enable this account" option. Now you can send and receive iMessages.
Part 3 of 5: Sending and Receiving Messages
Step 1. Select the email address you want to use to receive messages
On iPhone, iMessages can be sent to your phone number or email address. If you have multiple email addresses in your account then you can select the one email you want to use.
- Open Settings on your device and select "Messages".
- Tap "Send & Receive," then tap the address to change it. You can also add other email addresses that you want to use. You will only be able to have one Apple ID email address associated with your device.
- Select the email address or phone number you want to use to send the message.
Step 2. Open the Messages app
Like SMS, iMessages are also sent via your Messages app.
Step 3. Tap the "Compose" button to start the conversation
You can start new conversations with people on your contact list. iMessage can only be used if they also use iMessage.
Step 4. Check the "Send" button
You can tell whether a message is an SMS or an iMessage by looking at the color of the Send button. If the button is blue then the message will be sent as an iMessage. If the button is green then the message will be sent as an SMS.
iPads and iPods can only send messages to fellow iMessage users
Step 5. Attach images and videos
You can attach media to your messages. With iMessage, you can send them without using your carrier's MMS rates.
- Tap the Camera button on the lower left side of your conversation screen.
- Tap the Photo Library option to view all the photos and videos on your device.
- Tap the photo or video to attach it to your message.
- Send a message. If you send messages over the cellular data network then your data plan will be reduced.
Part 4 of 5: Getting to Know iMessage More
Step 1. Send a voice message using iMessage
You can send voice messages to your iMessage contacts. To use this service, iOS 8 or later is required.
- Open a conversation in Messages.
- Press and hold the microphone button on the bottom right side of the screen.
- Press and hold with your finger and say the message you want to record.
- Swipe up to send the recorded message.
Step 2. Submit your map location information
You can share your location from Apple Maps with people in your iMessage contacts.
- Open the Maps app and search for the location you want to share.
- Tap the Share button on the top right of the screen.
- Select "Message" from the list of options. Tap "Send" to send the location. When the recipient taps the map in their conversation, the Maps app appears.
Step 3. Turn off iMessage message preview on your device's locked screen
By default, a preview of the message will appear on the locked screen of your device. If you want more privacy then you can disable it.
- Open Settings and select "Notifications".
- Tap the "Messages" option, then swipe down to the "Show Previews" section. Turn off this section.
Step 4. Set old iMessages to be deleted automatically
Old messages can occupy your device memory, especially those with video and image attachments. By default, your device will save your entire message history. You can set your iOS device to automatically delete old messages if your iPhone is using iOS 8 or later.
- Open Settings and select "Messages".
- Tap the "Keep Messages" option and select "30 Days" or "1 Year". You will be asked if you want to delete all messages on your device that are older than the specified time limit.
Step 5. Leave group messages if you don't want to be disturbed
You can leave a group message if you don't want to get notifications. This can be done if all members are using iMessage and iOS 8 or later.
- Open the conversation you want to leave.
- Tap the "Details" option at the top right of the screen.
- Swipe down and tap "Leave this Conversation". If this option cannot be tapped then one of the conversation members is not using iMessage on an iOS 8 or later device.
Step 6. Tap "Read Receipts" to show or hide the information that you have read the message
All of your iMessage contacts can see whether or not you have read their last message. You can turn off this option if you do not wish to share this information.
- Open Settings and select "Messages".
- Press "Send Read Receipts" to turn it on or off as you wish.
Part 5 of 5: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Check your connection
iMessage requires an internet connection. If you can't load the web page then something is wrong with your network connection, not iMessage. Try to disconnect and reconnect to the wireless network again. You can also restart your device.
You can check the status of the iMessage service at apple.com/support/systemstatus/
Step 2. Check your iMessage settings if you can't send plain texts
Usually some iMessage settings can cause some problems with the carrier.
- Open Settings on your iOS device and select "Messages".
- Make sure "Send as SMS" is active. This will ensure that if iMessage is not available, the message will be sent in the form of a regular SMS.
- Tap the "Text Message Forwarding" option and turn off all message forwarding. Through message forwarding, you can send and receive SMS from all your iCloud devices. However, this often results in a lot of problems.
Step 3. Check your date and time settings
iMessage could not be activated and connected to the iMessage server with the wrong date and time.
- Open Settings and tap "General".
- Select "Date & Time", then make sure your location settings are correct.
Step 4. Restart your device if messages can't be sent or received
Usually your iMessage problem can be resolved by restarting your device. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on your iOS device. Drag the power slider to turn off your device. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button to turn your device back on.
Step 5. Perform a system restore if iMessage still won't work
Usually a system restore is the only way to fix problems on your iOS device. You can make a backup using iTunes and reload it after restoring it to protect your data.
- Connect your iOS device with your computer and open iTunes. Select your iOS device on the set of buttons on the top row.
- Click the Back Up Now button to back up your iOS device on your computer.
- Click the Restore iPhone/iPad/iPod… button.
- Wait until your device is restored and restarted. Select the backup you made when setting up the device. Click here for more detailed instructions.
Step 6. Disable iMessage if you are moving to a non-Apple device
Turn off iMessage before changing your phone or you can't receive messages from your old iMessage contacts.
- If you still have your iPhone, go to Settings and select "Messages". Press "iMessage" to turn it off. Wait a moment for the iMessage server to finish processing the changes.
- If you don't have an iPhone anymore, go to selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage and enter your phone number. You will receive an SMS with a code on your new phone. Enter this code in the second column of the site to disable iMessage.
