iPhone's messaging application, Messages, allows you to send and receive SMS (text) messages using your cell phone. Read on for more information on using this application to exchange messages, share media files and manage your conversations.
STEPS
METHOD 1 OF 7: TEXT MESSAGE BASICS
Compose A Text
1
OPEN THE MESSAGES APPLICATION.
2
TAP THE COMPOSE BUTTON. This button resembles a pencil writing on a piece of paper and is located in the upper right corner of your Messages list.
3
ADD A RECIPIENT(S). There are several ways you can do this:
Type the desired recipient's name. Select a name from the result(s).
Tap the add button (the plus sign in the To field of your message). This will bring up your entire contact list. Scroll through the list and tap the name of your intended recipient. This name will appear in the To field of your messages.
Enter the desired recipient's phone number or email address directly into the To field.
4
TAP THE TEXT MESSAGE FIELD.
5
COMPOSE YOUR TEXT.
6
TAP SEND.
Reply To A Text Or Continue A Conversation
1
TAP THE CONVERSATION FROM YOUR MESSAGES LIST.
2
ENTER YOUR TEXT MESSAGE.
Forward A Conversation Using IOS 7
1
TAP AND HOLD THE MESSAGE THAT YOU\'D LIKE TO FORWARD UNTIL A SMALL MENU POPS UP. Click "More...".
2
SELECT ALL THE MESSAGES YOU\'D LIKE TO FORWARD AND CLICK THE ARROW IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER.
3
SPECIFY A RECIPIENT AND CLICK SEND.
Forward A Conversation Using IOS 6 And Before
1
OPEN THE CONVERSATION FROM YOUR MESSAGES LIST.
2
TAP .
3
SELECT THE INDIVIDUAL MESSAGE(S) YOU WOULD LIKE TO FORWARD.
4
TAP FORWARD. The selected messages will appear in the body of a new text message.
METHOD 2 OF 7: USE PICTURE CHARACTERS
1
ENABLE PICTURE CHARACTERS.
Go to your iPhone's Settings > General > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard. Choose Emoji from the list to enable the picture characters keyboard.
2
INSERT A PICTURE CHARACTER IN A MESSAGE.
While typing your message, tap the button resembling a globe, located directly to the left of the space bar on your keyboard. The special characters menu and options will appear.
3
SWIPE THROUGH CHARACTERS TO FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.
4
RE-TAP THE GLOBE BUTTON TO RETURN TO YOUR MESSAGE.
METHOD 3 OF 7: SHARE A PHOTO OR VIDEO
1
CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT EITHER IMESSAGE OR MMS IS ENABLED IN YOUR MESSAGE SETTINGS. (See "Message settings" section below for more info on this.)
2
OPEN A NEW MESSAGE AND CLICK THE CAMERA BUTTON.
If the photo or video you wish to send is already saved to your phone, tap Choose Existing. After choosing the photo you wish to send, tap the blue Choose button at the bottom right of your screen. This will insert your media file into your message and take you back to the message, where you have the option of entering text or simply pushing Send.
To take a new photo or create a new video, tap Take Photo or Video if you want to take a new pic or make a new video to send. Once you've taken your pic or created a video and are satisfied with the result, click the blue Use button at the bottom right of the screen. This will insert your media file into your message and take you back to the message, where you have the option of entering text or simply pushing Send.
METHOD 4 OF 7: A CONVERSATION
1
OPEN THE CONVERSATION YOU WISH TO .
2
TAP THE BUTTON AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THE SCREEN. You now have two options:
Select the individual message(s) you wish to delete. Tap the red Delete button. In iOS 7, instead of clicking edit, tap and hold the message and click "More...". This should allow you to select message(s) for deletion.
Tap the Clear All button at the upper right of the screen. To confirm, click Clear Conversation.
METHOD 5 OF 7: DELETE AN ENTIRE CONVERSATION
1
SWIPE THE CONVERSATION YOU\'D LIKE TO DELETE FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
2
TAP THE RED DELETE BUTTON THAT APPEARS NEXT TO THE CONVERSATION.
METHOD 6 OF 7: SEARCH A CONVERSATION BY KEYWORD
1
TAP THE SEARCH FIELD AT THE TOP OF YOUR MESSAGES LIST.
2
ENTER YOUR SEARCH TERM. As you type, potential matches will appear.
3
TYPE IN MORE OF YOUR KEY WORD TO NARROW DOWN YOUR RESULTS.
4
BROWSE THE RESULTS TO FIND THE DESIRED MESSAGE.
METHOD 7 OF 7: MESSAGE SETTINGS
1
GO TO SETTINGS > MESSAGES TO SET YOUR SMS AND MMS PREFERENCES.
Turn iMessage on or off.
Turn read notification on or off.
TIPS
A blue dot to the left of a message in your Messages list indicates that a message is unread.
iMessage allows you to send messages to other iOS users over Wi-Fi or your cellular connection.
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