Text Messaging Basics
The Message app lets you send text messages to other devices. Messages sent to other Apple devices can include stickers, emojis, and even money.
Your Message app sends text messages to anyone who can receive text messages including Android smartphones. iMessage texts are limited to Apple devices and have many more options for emojis, animations, and more. In addition, iMessage texts are fully encrypted. When you send a message to someone not using an Apple device, you may be limited by that person’s text app to just plain text or to text with photos/videos. Your messages to non-Apple devices may not be fully encrypted or secure from eavesdropping. iMessage has many great features, but you cannot use them with non-Apple users.
Message security
iMessage texts sent between Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macs) are encrypted for privacy. Messages sent to non-Apple devices may not be encrypted. iMessage colors the messages to indicate if they are within the Apple iMessage system.
- iMessages sent between Apple devices (iMessages) appear in blue.
- Messages with non-Apple devices (SMS/MMS) appear in green.
Make sure iMessage is turned on
iMessage should be turned on by default. If you don’t see all of the options for animations, emojis, and GIFs, double-check your iMessage settings and make sure iMessage is turned on.
- Go to Settings
> Messages, then turn on iMessage. - Select the accounts to use with iMessage in Messages > Send & Receive.
Sending a basic message
- Open Messages
. - Tap
(New message). - 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. - Tap the Text Message window.
- Type your message using the keyboard.
- Tap
to send.
Alternatively, you can start a conversation from other iOS apps by touching and holding a phone number and then tapping Send Message.
Adding additional people to the conversation
You can create a group conversation by tapping and entering additional phone numbers, email addresses, or adding recipients from your Contacts app. If all of your selected participants are using Apple devices, your message will read “Group iMessage” at the top. If your contacts include non-Apple devices you’ll see “New Group MMS” at the top.
Opening an existing conversation
- Open Messages .
- Select an existing conversation from the list. Conversations are organized chronologically. Your most recent conversations will be at the top.
- 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.
- Open a conversation or start a new one.
- Tap
in the bottom area of the keyboard or within the text box to dictate a message. - Dictate your message. 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.
You can easily send a message to someone using Siri. Just say “Siri send a message to (name of contact)” and dictate a message.
Unsending an iMessage
You can unsend an iMessage for up to two minutes after sending it.
- Touch and hold the message bubble, then tap Undo Send.
- 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 iMessage
You can edit a iMessage up to five times in the first 15 minutes of sending it.
- Touch and hold the message bubble, then tap Edit.
- 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.
Sending a voice message in iMessage
You can send an audible voice message instead of text.
- Open a conversation or start a new one.
- Tap
, then tap Audio . - Speak (or sing) your message. Tap
to stop recording. - Touch
to listen to your message before sending it, tap to send, or tap to cancel.
Sending a photo in iMessage
You can send an image from your Photos app or take a photo to send in iMessage.
- Open a conversation or start a new one.
- Tap , then tap Photos (to select a previously taken picture) or Camera (to take a new picture).
- Tap Send when ready.
Marking favorites
Add the people you text frequently to favorites and they will show up at the top of your Message app for convenience.
- Open the person you want to add in Contacts.
- Tap Add to Favorites and then Messages.