iPhone User Guide

Get started with Messages on iPhone

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. To see the same messages you get on your iPhone on your other Apple devices, tap Text Message Forwarding, then turn on your other devices in the list. Be sure to sign in to the same Apple Account on the other devices, too.

👁 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 button
to dictate it. To name the group, tap the group icons at the top of the conversation, tap Edit, then tap Edit Name and Photo.

👁 The Add menu in Messages on iPhone, listing several iMessage features: audio messaging, the App Store, GIF images, Check In, Digital Touch, location sharing, and Memoji.

Go beyond texting

You don’t have to limit your communication to text. To add emoji, tap 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 messages 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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