iMessage: The ultimate guide

iMessage: The ultimate guide | iMore.com Skip to main content AndroidBlackBerryiPhone / iPadWindows PhonewebOS

Join our iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Apple TV community today!   Register or Login Here

iMore iPhone iPad Forums Apps Accessories Reviews How-To Podcasts Free wallpapers: iPhone & iPad Guides: iOS, iCloud, Siri, photography, jailbreak Free: iPhone apps & games, iPad apps & games Shop Online Cases Chargers Screen protectors Headsets & More Free shipping on orders over $50 iMessage: The ultimate guide By Allyson Kazmucha, Thursday, Sep 20, 2012 a 8:55 pm 1

Everything you need to know about setting up, securing, sending, and receiving iMessages on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.

iMessage is Apple's proprietary service that allows you to send and receive free, SMS- and MMS-like messages on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac from any other iMessage user. Not only can you send regular text, photo, and video messages with iMessage, but contacts, voice memos, and locations as well. iMessage works on any device running iOS 5 or higher, and any Mac running OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or higher. Whether you need help setting up or using any or all of the features, you've come to the right place!

Also note, we'll be updating this guide regularly as Apple introduces more iMessage features, so make sure you bookmark this page and check back frequently!

How to enable and activate (or re-activate) iMessageHow to add additional email addresses to iMessageHow to enable read-reciepts for iMessageHow to copy, forward, and delete iMessagesHow to increase privacy with iMessageHow to send texts using iMessageHow to send photos using iMessageHow to send videos using iMessageHow to send contact cards using iMessageHow to send map locations using iMessageHow to send Voice Memos with iMessageHow to turn on and off read receipts in iMessageHow to set up, configure, and secure iMessage

iMessage is super easy to start using right out of the box but you'll need to configure a few things first. Whether you're on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac you'll only have a few steps to complete before you'll be sending all kinds of content via iMessage. The process may be slightly different depending on what device you're setting up so make sure to check out our guides on getting it configured.

How to enable and activate (or re-activate) iMessageHow to add additional email addresses to iMessageHow to enable read-reciepts for iMessageHow to copy, forward, and delete iMessagesHow to increase privacy with iMessageHow to send texts using iMessage

iMessage integrates into the default Messages app so there's nothing special you need to do to send an iMessage as opposed to a text. As long as the person you're sending a text message to is also using an iMessage enabled device (aka iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac), it will just work. If they don't have iMessage enabled, any messages sent from iPhone will go through as a standard text message (carrier rates will apply to the sender and receiver).

How to send texts using iMessageHow to send photos using iMessage

More often than not, your iPhone is always on you which means you probably use it to capture a lot of moments. You'll most likely want to share them with friends and family. iMessage makes it super simple to do so and you can use it on any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. If the other person isn't using iMessage, they'll just receive a standard SMS (messaging rates will apply). Whether you want to share pictures from your iPhone or from iPhoto on your Mac, we can help you start sharing your images in no time.

How to send photos using iMessageHow to send videos using iMessage

iMessage works with other iOS devices and Macs to let you easily send all kinds of content without paying your carrier for a special messaging plan (data rates will still apply if you aren't on Wi-Fi), including any videos you've recorded on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. iMessage is built right into the same Messages app and Share Sheet that sends SMS and MMS to your non-iPhone using friends, so you don't have to do anything extra to use it either.

How to send videos using iMessageHow to send contact cards using iMessage

iMessage, and even traditional SMS makes it super simply to quickly send contact information from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. As long as you have the information listed in your iOS Contacts app, you're always only a few taps away from sharing a vCard file (vcf) containing phone numbers, email, street addresses, and much more.

How to send contact cards using iMessageHow to send map locations using iMessage

You can quickly share your location with friends, family, and colleagues using iMessage. Whether you're lost or need someone to give you directions, or you're waiting and want to help someone find you, iMessage is as simple as hitting the share button and sending. The person on the other end will be sent your location instantly.

How to send map locations using iMessageHow to send Voice Memos with iMessage

The iPhone and iPod touch have a built-in Voice Memo app that can be handy for recording lengthy thoughts or instructions. Whether you need to dictate instructions to someone or want to share lecture notes from a class, iMessage makes it easy. Once they receive it they'll be able to play it directly through the Messages app.

How to send Voice Memos with iMessage

If you've got an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 5 or higher or a Mac running OS X Mountain Lion, you can use iMessage to send free text, photo, and video messages to anyone else in the world as long as they're using an iMessage capable device as well. Read receipts allow your contact to see whether or not you've viewed a message yet. While some people may consider read receipts to be a bit stalker-ish, others may find them useful for work and business situations.

How to turn on and off read receipts in iMessageHow to get more help with iMessage

If you need more help setting up, using, or trouble-shooting iMessage on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Mac, head on over to our iMessage forum and ask away!

Allyson Kazmucha

How-to, Jailbreak, and DIY Editor at iMore, Founder of PXLFIX, Potter pundit, the ninja in your iOS.

More Posts

 

7 27 146 More of: Featured, iMore Guides
More of: Imessage Tips, Messages Tips, iMessage ultimate guide, how to, Beginner Tips ? PreviouslyiPhone 5 Retina wallpapers Next up ?iOS 6 will be good for Apple... eventually There is 1 comment. Add yours. GrannieTheGeek says: Sep 20, 2012 at 11:07 pm - 9 hours ago

This was a great read. I thought I knew everything there is to know about iMessage but I didn't. I love the ability to send Voice Memos. Thank you.

Reply Contact iMoreSEND US NEWS  |  SUBMIT AN APP

Shop iMore

THE #1 ACCESSORY STORE | 2 MILLION+ ORDERS SHIPPED

Browse All Accessories Cases and Skins Chargers Cradles Bluetooth Headsets Screen Protectors See all accessories Browse Accessories For Your Phone iPhone 4S Cases Chargers Car Kits & more The new iPad Cases Chargers Screen Care & more iPhone 4 Cases Chargers Car Kits & more iPad 2 Cases Chargers Screen Care & more iPhone 3GS Cases Chargers Car Kits & more iPad Cases Chargers Screen Care & more Shop iMore

THE #1 ACCESSORY STORE | 2 MILLION+ ORDERS SHIPPED

View All Devices STORE AD CONTENT Follow iMore(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1&appId=213678485361751"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

Follow @iMore!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");


Facebook
Twitter
Google+
RSS
YouTube
iTunes Wear iMore Download iMoreiMORE APP  |  iMORE FORUMS  |  MOBILE NATIONS

Watch iMoreMORE SHOWS  |  MORE VIDEOS

Tell iMore
Team iMore
Rene
Georgia
Leanna
Chris
Ally
Simon
Chris
Michelle Headlines iPhone 5 launch live from the Regent Street Apple Store in London iPhone 5 London launch gallery How to track your iPhone 5 delivery if you’re in the UK PSA: Don't leave negative reviews for non-widescreen apps -- developers are updating as fast as they can! All headlines Help & how-to How to setup and start using your new iPhone 5 How to add a location or report a problem in iOS 6 Maps How to put your iPad into "Guest User" mode with Guided Access How to manually update to iOS 6 over-the-air (OTA) All help & how-to Apps & games The best games to show off your new iPhone 5 Rovio's Bad Piggies appear in first gameplay trailer Verticus is Stan Lee's first iOS game iTunes and App Store get major facelifts for iPhone 5 All apps & games Accessories Zooka Bluetooth Wireless Speaker review iMore Editors' Choice for September 16, 2012 iControlPad 2 hits Kickstarter with full keyboard, game controls, and open source Win a FREE Jot Touch Bluetooth pressure sensitive stylus from Adonit and iMore! Enter Now! All accessories iPhone iPhone 5 launch live from Apple Store Montreal iPhone 5 launch live from the Regent Street Apple Store in London iPhone 5 London launch gallery iMore show 314: iOS 6 review + iPhone 5 buyers guide All iphone More iPad iPhone 5 launch live from Apple Store Montreal iPhone 5 launch live from the Regent Street Apple Store in London iPhone 5 London launch gallery iMore show 314: iOS 6 review + iPhone 5 buyers guide All more ipad iOS 5 + iCloud iPhone 5 launch live from Apple Store Montreal iPhone 5 launch live from the Regent Street Apple Store in London iPhone 5 London launch gallery iMore show 314: iOS 6 review + iPhone 5 buyers guide All ios 5 + icloud Jailbreak State of the jailbreak: iOS 6, iPhone 5, and more How to tethered jailbreak iOS 6 and install Cydia Add page animations and transitions to your iPhone or iPad with DisplayCandy [jailbreak] Dash brings fluid card style multitasking to your iPhone [jailbreak] All jailbreak Device reviews The new iPad (2012) review iPhone 4S review 2011 iPod touch review White iPhone 4 review All device reviews Comparisons iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S3: Which phone should you get? Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3 vs HTC One X vs. BlackBerry 10 vs. Nokia Lumia 920: Spec Shootout! Google Nexus 7 vs. iPad 3, unboxing and first impressions -- from iMore! Apple iPad or Google Nexus 7: Which one should you get? All comparisons Features iOS 6 will be good for Apple... eventually Forums: WiFi woes, Siri on the iPad and is swapping colors an option? Forums: Waiting in line, Still flabbergasted that they called it the iPhone 5 Forums: Apple Care, Waiting for launch day, Case or no case for your iPhone 5? All features Contests Announcing the winner of the FREE iPhone 5... And a 2nd chance to win! Weekly Photo Contest: Panoramas with iOS 6! Contest Winners: Pad & Quill cases and the Jot Touch stylus from Adonit! Here's your chance for a bonus entry on Facebook in iMore's Follow and Win giveaway! All contests Mobile Nations YouTube Channel Follow Us on Twitter Join us on Facebook Mobile Nations RSS Feed 8,381,907 Readers Per Month Mobile Nations brings you the very best of Android Central,
CrackBerry, iMore, webOS Nation, and WPCentral   iOS 6 reviewApple releases iOS 6 for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPadHow to manually update to iOS 6 over-the-air (OTA)How to update iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to iOS 6 via iTunesDeal of the Day: 50% off Seidio SURFACE Reveal Case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4Counting down to iOS 6!   Samsung's latest commercial: The next big thing is already hereT-Mobile U.S.A. announces John Legere as new CEOLive from New York City with HTC!Motorola RAZR i initial video reviewDeal of the Day: Seidio ACTIVE Case for Samsung Galaxy NoteThe Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will hit 5 US carriers by mid-November BlackBerry 10 L-Series gets a early hands-on teardownWant some funky new sound effects on your BlackBerry? Check out Sound Effects FreeBlackBerry theme roundup - September 19, 2012Deal of the Day: Save 52% on the iGrip Headrest TABLET Kit for Blackberry PlayBookLeaked OS 7.1.0.714 for the BlackBerry Torch 9860 Team behind HTC 8x for Windows Phone 8 explain that iconic designHTC 8X Windows Phone joins the T-Mobile lineupHTC 8X Windows Phone headed to AT&THTC 8X and 8S Windows Phones both heading to Three UKTrade in your old phone for up to $300 with HTC's new "Trade Up" programPoll - Which HTC 8X Windows Phone colour would you choose? ZTE to launch Firefox OS smartphone, not webOSMaybe it's time to stop hating on HP?ScienceApps going all-in on LunaCE with stack launching and big notifications [video]What would a webOS smartphone need to be competitive today?App Giveaway: sinceWhen+TouchPad Go charity raffle gets a little sweeter   iPhone / iPad ForumsAndroid ForumsBlackBerry ForumsWindows Phone ForumswebOS Forums Copyright 2012 Mobile Nations ? Terms and Conditions ? Privacy Policy

View the original article here