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iPad User Guide

Get started with Messages on iPad

In the Messages app 👁 Image
, you can exchange texts, photos, videos, and more, with individuals, businesses, and groups. You can express yourself with backgrounds and animations, share TV shows and music, and use Messages to collaborate with others.

👁 The Messages settings pane with iMessage turned on.

Set up iMessage and sync across devices

When you and a friend both sign in to iMessage, you can send each other unlimited messages, no matter where you are in the world. Go to Settings 👁 Image
> Apps > Messages, then turn on iMessage. And if you have an iPhone, you can see the same messages you get there on your iPad too. On your iPhone, go to Settings 👁 Image
> Apps > Messages, turn on Text Message Forwarding, then choose your iPad in the list. (You must also be signed in to the same Apple Account on your iPhone.)

👁 A group conversation in Messages.

Chat as a group

You can chat with several people at once—like your family or a work group. Tap 👁 the Compose button
, enter the names of the people in the group, then type your message, or tap 👁 the Dictate key
to dictate it. To add media and more, tap 👁 the Add button
next to the text field. To add emoji, tap 👁 the Emoji key
or 👁 the Next Keyboard key
on your keyboard. To name the group, tap the group icons at the top of the conversation, then tap Change Name and Photo.

👁 The Add menu in Messages on iPad, listing several iMessage features: scheduled send, audio messaging, the App Store, GIF images, Digital Touch, location sharing, and music.

Go beyond texting

You don’t have to limit your communication to text. To add emoji, tap 👁 the Emoji key
or 👁 the Next Keyboard key
on your keyboard. To add media, polls, location sharing, and more, tap 👁 the Add button
next to the text field.

👁 A Messages conversation with a message scheduled to be sent later.

Schedule a message to deliver later

If it’s too late at night or too important to forget, schedule your message for a future time, instead of sending it as soon as you finish it. Tap 👁 the Add button
, tap Send Later, choose a time, then tap 👁 the Send button
.

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