iMessages are messages sent over the internet between iOS devices. With iMessage, iPhones, Macs, iPads and iPod Touches can receive messages when connected to Wi-Fi (wireless network) or a 3G/4G network. Your iDevice will automatically send an iMessage when you send a message to another iMessage user.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Understanding the basics
Step #1. Send iMessages using Messages app
Messages from iMessage are sent through the Messages app, just like your Text messages. iMessage and SMS to the same person will be bundled into one conversation.
Step 2. Send messages to other Apple users without having to use your carrier's SMS plan
iMessage makes it possible to send messages to other Apple users. iMessages don't take text limit into account. The appropriate message will be sent automatically. You don't have to switch when you message different people.
Messages sent to other iMessage users will be blue. Text messages will be green
Step 3. Enable iMessage on all your Apple devices
iMessages are delivered to all your connected Apple devices as long as they are connected to the internet. iMessage is not available on Android devices or Windows computers.
Step 4. Connect to a wireless network or a mobile data network to use iMessage
iMessage requires an internet connection. You will need to be connected to a WiFi or 3G/4G network to use it. If your iPhone is not connected to a network, iMessage will automatically switch to SMS mode. If you are not connected to a wireless network with your iPod or iPad, you will not be able to use iMessage.
iMessages do not count towards your carrier's payment plan. iMessages do count towards your mobile data unless you are connected via WiFi
Part 2 of 5: Enable iMessage
Step 1. Create an Apple ID
iMessage requires a free Apple ID. You will log in with this ID on every device. iMessages will be synced across all your devices.
You can create a free Apple ID at appleid.apple.com/account. You will need to enter a valid email address to verify the account
Step 2. Sign in to your iOS device with your Apple ID
Once you have an Apple ID, you can use it to sign in to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. You can use your ID to log in on multiple devices.
- Open the Settings app and select 'Messages'.
- Turn on 'iMessage' and press 'Use your Apple ID for iMessage' (iPhone only).
- Enter your Apple ID and password. iMessage may take some time to activate.
Step 3. Enable iMessage on your OS X computer
You can send and receive iMessages through your OS X computer with Mountain Lion or later.
- Open the Messages app. You can find it in your Dock or in the Applications folder.
- Click on the 'Messages' menu and select 'Preferences'.
- Make sure your Apple ID is selected. If you're not signed in with your Apple ID, you'll need to click the + button and sign in.
- Check the 'Enable for this account' option. You can now send and receive iMessages.
Part 3 of 5: Sending and receiving messages
Step 1. Set the address where you can be reached
On an iPhone, iMessages can be sent to your phone number as well as to your email address. If you have multiple email addresses linked to your account, choose the one you wish to use.
- Open the Settings app on your device and select "Messages".
- Tap 'Send & Receive' and then tap an address to enable it. You can also add another e-mail address at which you wish to be reached. You can only have one Apple ID email address associated with the device at a time.
- Select the address or number with which you wish to send messages.
Step #2. Open the Messages app
Like text messages, iMessages are sent through the Messages app.
Step 3. Press the Compose button to start a conversation
You can now start a new conversation with anyone from your contact list. It will only be an iMessage conversation when the other person is also using iMessage.
Step 4. Check the 'Send' button
You can tell whether a message is a standard SMS or an iMessage by looking at the color of the Send button. If the button is blue, the message will be sent as an iMessage. If the button is green then it will be sent as an SMS.
iPads and iPods can only send messages to other iMessage users
Step 5. Add photos and videos
You can add media to your messages just like a text message. iMessage makes it possible to send these without charging your provider's MMS plan.
- Press the Camera button in the lower left corner of the conversation.
- Press the Gallery option to view all the photos and videos on your device.
- Tap a photo or video to add it to your post.
- Send the message. If you send a message over a mobile data network, you will be charged.
Part 4 of 5: Getting more out of iMessage
Step 1. Send a voice message with iMessage
You can send voice messages to your iMessage contacts. This does require iOS 8 or later.
- Open a conversation in Messages.
- Press and hold the microphone button in the lower right corner.
- Keep your finger there and say the message you wish to record.
- Swipe up to send the recorded message.
Step 2. Send information about where you are
You can share locations with all your contacts who use iMessage via Apple Maps.
- Open the Maps app and find the location you want to share.
- Tap the Share button in the top right corner.
- Select 'Message' from the list of options. Press 'Send' to send the location. When the recipient taps on the map in the call, the Maps app will launch.
Step 3. Disable iMessage previews on your device's lock screen
By default, previews of messages will appear on your device's lock screen. If you prefer a little more privacy, you can turn this off.
- Open the Settings app and select 'Notifications'.
- Press the 'Messages' option and then scroll down to 'Show previews'. Turn this off.
Step 4. Set old iMessages to be deleted automatically
Old messages can take up a lot of your device's storage space, especially messages with photos and videos attached. By default, your device will save the entire message history. You can set your iOS device to automatically delete old messages if you are using iOS 8 or later.
- Open the Settings app and select 'Messages'.
- Press the 'Keep messages' option and select either '30 days' or '1 year'. You will be asked if you want to delete messages on your device that are older than the time limit you have set.
Step 5. Leave group conversations if you don't want to receive notifications
You can leave a group conversation if you no longer want to receive notifications. This only works when 'all' participants are using iMessage and iOS 8 or later.
- Open the conversation you wish to leave.
- Tap the 'Details' option in the top right corner.
- Scroll down and tap "Leave This Conversation." If this option is gray, at least one participant is not an iMessage user on an iOS 8 or later device.
Step 6. Turn on or off 'Received read' to show or hide that you have read a message
Any iMessage contact will be able to see whether or not you have read their latest message. You can disable this if you do not wish to share this information.
- Open the Settings app and select 'Messages'.
- Turn 'Send read receipts' on or off depending on your preferences.
Part 5 of 5: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Check your connection
iMessage requires an internet connection. If you can't load web pages then something is wrong with your network connection and this is not iMessage's fault. Try disconnecting from the wireless network and then reconnecting. You can also try rebooting your device.
You can check the status of the iMessage service at apple.com/support/systemstatus/
Step 2. Check the settings of iMessage if you can't send normal text
Sometimes one of the iMessage settings can cause problems with the service.
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device and select "Messages".
- Make sure 'Send as SMS' is turned on. This will cause messages to be sent as SMS messages when iMessage is not available.
- Press the 'Forward text message' option and uncheck Forward all. Forwarding allows you to send and receive SMS on all your iCloud devices, but this is known to cause problems.
Step 3. Check the date and time settings
iMessage may fail to activate and connect to the iMessage servers if the date and time are incorrect.
- Open the Settings app and press 'General'.
- Select 'Date & Time' and then check that your location settings are correct.
Step 4. Restart your device if you cannot send or receive messages
Sometimes problems with iMessage can be solved with a quick reboot. On your iOS device, press the Power button. Use the slider to turn off your device. Press and hold the Power button to turn the device back on.
Step 5. If iMessage continues to cause problems, perform a system restore
Sometimes a system restore is the only way to fix problems with your iOS device. You can make a backup via iTunes and then load it after the restore to protect your data.
- Connect your iOS device to your computer and open iTunes. Select your iOS device from the top row of buttons.
- Click the Back Up Now button. This will back up your iOS device to the computer.
- Click the Restore iPhone/iPad/iPod… button.
- Wait for your device to recover and reset. Select the backup you just created when you set up the device. Click here for more detailed instructions.
Step 6. Disable iMessage when switching to a phone that is not Apple
Turn off iMessage before switching phones, otherwise you may not be able to receive text messages from your old iMessage contacts.
- If you still have your iPhone, open the Settings app and select 'Messages'. Turn OFF 'iMessage'. It may take a while for iMessage's servers to process this change.
- If you no longer have the iPhone, go to selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage and enter your phone number. You will receive an SMS on your new phone with the code. Enter this code in the second field of the site to disable iMessage.