Set up Messages on iPhone

In the Messages app , you can send text messages in two different ways:

Over Wi-Fi or cellular service, using iMessage with others who also use iMessage on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. Your iMessage texts appear in blue bubbles.
With SMS/MMS messages forwarded from your iPhone to other devices. Your SMS/MMS messages appear in green bubbles.

Texts you send and receive using iMessage don’t count against your SMS/MMS allowances in your cellular messaging plan, but cellular data rates may apply.

iMessage texts can include photos, videos, and other content. You can see when other people are typing and send read receipts to let them know when you’ve read their messages. You can also undo and edit sent messages. For security, messages sent using iMessage are encrypted before they’re sent.

SMS messages are short text messages, while MMS messages may include text, graphics, audio, video, and other media. For more information, see the Apple Support article What is the difference between iMessage and SMS/MMS?

Turn on iMessage

When you communicate with others using iMessage, you can use more apps and features, like read receipts, undo send, message editing, audio messages, collaboration, inline replies, and more.

Go to Settings > Messages, then turn on iMessage.
To select the phone numbers and email addresses you want to use with iMessage, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, then choose from the available options below “You can receive iMessages to and reply from.”

Turn on Messages in iCloud

When you turn on Messages in iCloud, every message you send and receive on your iPhone is saved in iCloud. And, when you sign in with the same Apple ID on a new device that also has Messages in iCloud turned on, all your conversations show up there automatically.

Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud, then turn on Messages (if it’s not already turned on).

After you turn on Messages in iCloud, any messages or attachments you delete from iPhone are also deleted from your other Apple devices (iOS 11.4, iPadOS 13, macOS 10.13.5, or later) where Messages in iCloud is turned on. See Set up iCloud for Messages on all your devices in the iCloud User Guide.

Note: Messages in iCloud uses iCloud storage. See Manage Apple ID settings on iPhone for information about iCloud storage.

Share your name and photo

In Messages, you can share your name and photo with others. You decide whether to share it whenever you send or receive a message from someone new.

Your photo can be a Memoji or custom image. When you open Messages for the first time, follow the instructions on your iPhone to choose your name and photo.

You can change your name, photo, or sharing options.

In the Messages conversation list, tap Edit in the top-left corner.
Tap Edit Name and Photo, then do any of the following:
- Change your picture: Tap Edit below the circle, then choose an option.
- Change your name: Tap the text fields where your name appears.
- Turn sharing on or off: Tap the button next to Name and Photo Sharing.
- Change who can see your name and picture: Tap an option below Share Automatically (Name and Photo Sharing must be turned on).

Your Messages name and photo can also be used for your Apple ID and My Card in Contacts .

Note: Your name and photo may not appear as expected when you send messages to recipients who are using non-Apple devices.

Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to other devices

You can set up your iPhone so that when you send or receive an SMS message, it appears on your other Apple devices.

Go to Settings > Messages.
Tap Text Message Forwarding, then turn on any devices you want to include.
If you’re not using two-factor authentication, a six-digit activation code appears on your other device; enter this code on your iPhone, then tap Allow.

To manually forward a message, see Forward and share messages on iPhone.

Helpful?

iPhone User Guide

Set up Messages on iPhone

Turn on iMessage

Turn on Messages in iCloud

Share your name and photo

Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to other devices