Got a new iPhone or iPad and can’t figure out how to send iMessage? Well, it’s rather simple. And to help you through it, here’s my quick guide to using iMessage on iPhones and iPads.
How to Send iMessage on iPhone
To send iMessage on using iPhone, open the Messages app, tap the compose button, and select the contact you want to message. Then, type in your message and hit Send. This will send an iMessage to that contact.
Once your iPhone is set up correctly, sending iMessages is easy. Here is how to do it:
- Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
- At the top right of your screen, tap the Compose button.
- Enter the phone number or contact name of the person you want to message. Alternatively, tap the + icon to search through your contact list.
- Type your message in the text box and hit Send (marked by an upward arrow in a blue circle).
How to Send iMessage on iPad
To send iMessage using an iPad, navigate to the Messages app. Then, tap Compose > enter the number or contact name > tap the text field > type the text > hit Send. And that’s done! Sending iMessage on iPads is that simple.
Sending iMessages on an iPad is equally simple. Here’s how to do it:
- Navigate to the Messages app.
- In the left (Messages) pane, tap the Compose icon on the top right.
- Enter the phone number or the contact name of the recipient. Alternatively, you can tap the + icon to search your contacts lists or enter the Apple ID of the recipient.
- Now in the right pane, tap the text field at the bottom, and start typing your message.
- Once you’re done, hit Send (marked by an upward arrow in a blue circle).
How to Send iMessage Instead of Text Message
To send iMessage instead of text messages, disable the Send as SMS option in the Messages app. Additionally, you can add your Apple ID email address to your Messages app to get the best out of it.
Sending an iMessage instead of a text message is very straightforward. Just make sure that you have iMessage enabled on your device and are sending iMessage to an apple user.
Here’s how to send iMessage from your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device:
1. Toggle Off Send As SMS
Toggling off the Send As SMS feature on your iPhone or iPad allows you to take advantage of the free and faster iMessage service. To toggle off Send As SMS:
- Simply open the Settings app on your device.
- Navigate to Messages.
- In the Messages menu, you will see the Send As SMS option. Simply tap this switch to turn it off.
And now, any time you initiate an SMS conversation with someone who is an iOS user, your phone will send an iMessage instead of a text message.
2. Add Your Apple ID Email Address
Adding your Apple ID email address is an excellent way to get the most out of iMessage. This is because it allows you to access your messages and other content across multiple devices, including both Macs and iPhones. To add an Apple ID email address, simply follow these steps:
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad, and tap the Messages icon.
- Then select the Send & Receive option.
- You should now see an Apple ID section, tap it and enter your Apple ID email address in the text box provided.
- Tap Done to save your changes and you are all set.
Why Am I Still Not Able to Send iMessages?
If you’re unable to send iMessages, it could be an issue with your iMessage settings or server. Or else, it could be due to an outdated OS, poor internet connection, and incompatible cellular data plan. It could also be due to an error on the recipient’s end, or they may have blocked you.
If you’re still unable to send iMessages despite disabling the Send as SMS option, it could be due to the following:
1. Incorrect Settings
The iMessage settings on your device might be misconfigured, which could prevent you from sending messages. To fix this, make sure that:
- iMessage is turned on in your device’s settings.
- Your phone number and Apple ID are selected in the Send & Receive section of the iMessage settings.
- You are connected to a stable Wi-Fi or cellular data network.
2. Outdated Software
If your device’s software is outdated, it might cause issues with various features and apps of your Apple device, including iMessage. To make sure that your device is running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS and to update it, do the following:
- Navigate to the Settings app and select General.
- Then tap Software Update.
- Download and Install the latest update by following the on-screen instructions.
3. iMessage Server Issues
Sometimes, the iMessage service may be down or experiencing issues that could prevent you from sending messages. To find out if that’s the case:
- To see any reported issues with the iMessage service, visit the Apple System Status page. If there are issues, there is nothing you can do except wait for them to be resolved by Apple.
- But if there are no reported issues, try turning iMessage off and on again. To do this, navigate to the Settings app > Messages and toggle the iMessage switch off and on.
4. Internet Connectivity Issues
Unlike SMS, sending and receiving iMessages require internet connectivity. So, here’s what you can do:
- Make sure you have a working internet connection when trying to send an iMessage (especially if you are trying to use Wi-Fi).
- If available, consider using both Wi-Fi and cellular data, as this will ensure your messages get sent quickly, even if one source of connection fails momentarily during the transmission of the message.
5. Cellular Data Plan Incompatible with the Apple Messaging Service
It is also possible that the current data plan you are using is not compatible with the Apple Messaging service. To fix this issue, here’s what you can do:
- Check that your current carrier plan allows for sending of messages through the Apple messaging service – some carriers may require additional fees for this feature, depending on your region or country of residence.
- Also, check that all settings related to MMS and SMS are enabled for optimal performance with the messaging service in Settings > Messages > MMS Messaging & SMS/MMS settings in iOS 11 or later versions and Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding & Send as SMS in earlier versions of iOS.
6. Issues on the Receiver’s End
So, you have tried almost everything on your end but can’t seem to send iMessage instead of SMS? Then, it’s possible that the issue is at the recipient’s end. Here are two possibilities:
- The recipient is using a non-iOS device like Android or Windows. If that’s the case, you can use other methods such as email or third-party apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger instead, as they offer better cross-platform compatibility than iMessage.
- Receiver’s iMessage is turned off. If that is the case, contact them through other means and ask them to turn on their iMessage.
7. Blocked Phone Number or Email Address
If the other person has blocked you, you can’t send them iMessages. Here’s what you can do:
- If you think you have been blocked by mistake, try contacting the person and asking them to unblock you.
- But if you are sure that you have been blocked intentionally, there is nothing you can do except respect the other person’s decision to not communicate with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to know someone is using iMessage or Text Message?
If you are using iMessage, all your messages will appear as blue bubbles. However, if you are sending texts through a default messaging app on Android, your messages will appear in green bubbles.
Do I need the internet to use iMessage?
Yes, you need an internet connection to send and receive text messages, photos, videos, and other media through iMessage. You can use iMessage over Wi-Fi or cellular data (3G, 4G, or LTE). But if you don’t have an internet connection, you will not be able to use iMessage.
What media can I send using iMessage?
You can send and receive various forms of media like photos, videos, documents, and text using iMessage. This includes:
1. Photos and videos taken with your device’s camera or saved on your device’s camera roll, as well as GIFs and Live Photos.
2. Audio messages recorded on iMessage, or the ones saved on your device.
3. Your current location or the location of a place you are interested in.
4. A person’s contact information.
5. Documents such as PDFs, Word documents, and Excel spreadsheets.
How to send a text through iMessage without the internet?
Sadly, you can’t send a text through iMessage with a proper internet connection. So, if your device doesn’t have access to the internet, you’ll need to send text messages through your iPhone’s default messaging app.
How do I make sure my iPhone is sending iMessages?
To make sure your iPhone is sending iMessages:
1. Navigate to the Settings app.
2. Find and tap Messages.
3. Make sure that the switch for iMessage is turned on.
