The Apple Messages App

Messaging has come a long way since the days of simple text-only messages! Yes, you can still send only text, but if you have a data connection (cellular or Wi-Fi), you can send photos and videos. If you send messages between Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, Mac computers), you can also send doodles, heartbeats, fireworks, confetti, and other fun animations in iMessage (iMessage is Apple’s enhanced message protocol that only works on Apple devices). Messages may be in green or blue.

• iMessages sent between Apple devices (iMessages) appear in blue.
• Messages with non-Apple devices (Android) appear in green.

Sending a basic message

1. Open Messages  .
2. Tap  (New message).
3. Enter the phone number or email address of the recipient(s), or tap to open your Contacts list. Tap contacts to add them to the message recipients.
4. Tap the Text Message window.
5. Type your message using the keyboard or tap the microphone icon to dictate a message to be transcribed.
6. Tap  to send.

Opening an existing conversation

1. Open Messages  .
2. Select an existing conversation from the list. Conversations are organized chronologically. Your most recent conversations will be at the top.
3. If you can’t find a conversation, use the search window at the top. Type in the name or phone number of a recipient.

Using Siri for messages

You don’t have to type your message; you can dictate and let Siri do the work.

1. Open a conversation or start a new one.
2. Tap in the bottom area of the keyboard or within the text box to summon Siri.
3. Speak your message (you must be connected to the Internet). Your voice message will be transcribed and displayed in the message box. You can correct or type in additional text if you wish. Tap  when finished to send your message.

“Unsending” a message

You can unsend a message for up to two minutes after sending it.

1. Touch and hold the message bubble, then tap Undo Send.
2. A note confirming the message was unsent will appear in both your and the recipient’s conversation transcripts.

If the recipient uses iOS 16 or later, the message will be erased from their device. If the recipient is using a device with iOS 15.6 or earlier, iPad OS 15.6 or earlier, macOS 12 or earlier, or is using SMS (as opposed to iMessage), the original message will remain in the conversation.

Editing a sent message

You can edit a message up to five times in the first 15 minutes of sending it.

1. Touch and hold the message bubble, then tap Edit.
2. Make any changes, then tap to resend with edits or to cancel. If edits are applied, the message is marked as Edited in the conversation. Both you and the recipient can tap Edited to view the original message.

If the recipient is using a device with iOS 15.6 or earlier, iPad OS 15.6 or earlier, macOS 12 or earlier, or is using SMS (as opposed to iMessage), they receive a new message with your updated text.

iMessage apps

Some apps on your device can use iMessage, giving you the option to respond in new and creative ways. Tap  to open the App Drawer and view connected apps within Messages. Apple Cash and Digital Touch are shown below in the app drawer.

You can send a song from Spotify, your location from Maps, emojis you download from the App Store, and more. You can find more apps to use in Messages in the App Store for Messages.

Sending a voice message

You can record an audible voice message to send to other iPhone or iPad users.

To record and review a message before sending it:

1. Open a conversation or start a new one.
2. Tap  in the iMessage App drawer, then tap .
3. Speak clearly into your device. Tap to stop recording.
4. Touch  to listen to your message before sending it, tap  to send, or tap  to cancel.

To record a message and send it immediately:

1. Open a conversation or start a new one.
2. Tap  in the iMessage App drawer, then touch and hold .
3. Speak clearly into your device. Your audio message will be sent when you lift your finger.

Customizing your iMessage apps

Scroll to the end of your connected apps and tap More   to add and remove connected apps.

Sending a photo in Messages

• Tap the camera button to the left of the message field to open the Camera app for a new photo or video.
• Tap Photos   in the app drawer to choose from a photo or video already on your device.

Using Digital Touch

You can send sketches, kisses, heartbeats, and even a selfie video using iMessage.

1. Tap in the app drawer.
2. Choose a color for your effect.
3. Use your finger(s) to tap or draw an effect shown on the chart below.

Express yourself with emojis

Tap  to access several libraries of emoticons–smiley faces, cute puppies, and a whole lot more.

Spice up your iMessage with confetti and balloons

There are some fun ways to send animated iMessage animations to other Apple users. You can add effects to the message bubbles or the entire screen. First, type or dictate a message, then:

1. Touch and hold .
2. Select Bubble or Screen (at the top of your screen).
3. Touch the bubble option or tap Screen to view and select screen effects. Swipe right to preview more Screen animations. You can see previews of any selection you make.
4.  When finished with your selection, touch .

Tapbacks and Replies

Want a quick way to respond without typing? Double-tap a message bubble to access six quick emoji replies. Tap your selection and the emoji will get pinned to the message bubble.

You can also tap Reply to make a separate thread within the conversation.

Troubleshooting

If your phone is not sending iMessages to other Apple users, check the following:

• Go to Settings > Messages and tap the iMessage switch to the On position.
• Check if there are any non-Apple users in the message. If you send a message to a group of people and any of those people are not Apple users, the message will send as a regular SMS message.
• Check that you have access to the Internet (Wi-Fi or otherwise). Since Apple uses the internet to send iMessages, it will send messages as regular (SMS) messages if no Internet is available