One of the most useful apps on the iPhone and iPad is definitely iMessage, which acts as a total instant messaging app, capable of sending and receiving simple SMS (like on any other phone or smartphone) but also replacing WhatsApp, Telegram and others as instant messaging apps (at least among users who own Apple products), so that you can send messages without having to consume SMS messages included in our offer or spend even a penny! In this guide we will show you in detail how to use the iMessage app on our iPhone or iPad (which does not exist on Android), also showing you the best functions that we can find exclusively within the app signed by Apple. We tell you right away that the app is not available on Android, so we can take advantage of most of the new features illustrated only between Apple devices.
How to use the iMessage app on iPhone and iPad
Below we have collected, in various chapters, everything you need to know to use the iMessage app on the iPhone or iPad, as well as various tricks and interactive features exclusive to Apple products.How to send and receive SMS
The Messages app on iPhone and iPad was born primarily as an SMS management app, the old text messages that were so popular in the first decade of 2000 but fell out of use from 2010 onwards, with the arrival of instant messaging apps via Internet.To send an SMS, simply tap the Messages icon, press the Write icon (bordered in blue) at the top right, decide the recipient to be added (also using the + key, so as to access the address book), fill in the message and finally tap the green arrow button next to the text field.
Unfortunately, via SMS we will only be able to write text and use some primitive emoticons, we will not have full access to all the iMessage features. The app also allows you to receive SMS, immediately showing the sender's name (if present in the address book) or the phone number in full (if the number belongs to a stranger).
How to activate iMessage to chat for free
If we want to make the most of the Messages app, we will have to activate the iMessage feature . To do this, open the Settings app, select the Messages menu and activate the button next to the iMessage item.
From now on, we will be able to send and receive messages for free to other iPhones, iPads and Macs using our Apple account, our e-mail addresses and the Internet (Wi-Fi or cellular data).
To send an iMessage let's go back to the Messages app, press the Write icon at the top right and start composing the message, adding the contact of a user who surely owns an iPhone, iPad or Mac.
As we can see, the send icon (in the shape of an upward arrow) has turned blue, a sign that we are using iMessage as a messaging service.
Note : if we want to send an SMS when iMessage is not available or we do not know if the user in question has an Apple device, just go to Settings -> Messages and activate the Send as SMS item, which will therefore remain available as a backup system.
Best features and tricks of iMessage
In addition to sending text messages, we can add a variety of content to our iMessages, so as to make the conversation truly complete (as if we were on WhatsApp!). The additional features are visible in the toolbar, positioned immediately below the text field; if we don't see them, just press the button in the shape of the App Store.
Let's just remember that most of these features will only be "visible" to other iMessage users.
How to add photos to messages
To add a photo to a chat, simply press the Camera icon and take the subject to share; if the photo is already present in the iPhone gallery, just press the Gallery icon in the toolbar and choose the image to share.
How to search for GIFs and images from the web
If we love to share GIFs or fish images from the web, we can do it without having to go through Safari every time by pressing directly on the Find images icon (in the shape of a magnifying glass). A section of images and GIFs widely used by other users will open immediately and we can search for others with the dedicated search field.
How to add and create Memoji Stickers
One of the most beautiful news in the iMessage app are the Memoji, special emojis animated with the faces of some characters or based on our face. To use the Memoji, just press the dedicated button in the toolbar (face icon) and choose which one to use; to create a personalized Memoji set, open the Memoji section, press the + symbol and follow the guided procedure to acquire our face and create our "avatar", which will make up the personalized Memoji (with various types of emotions and reactions ).
How to create graphic animations with your finger
Another unique feature of iMessage is Digital Touch, which allows you to create cute animations and effects with your fingers to add to live videos. To take advantage of this function, we press the heart-shaped icon with two fingers (in the toolbar), we start drawing in the dedicated area, we choose the stroke color and we press the arrow symbol to send it to the contact.
To make photos and videos and combine them with the effects of Digital Touch, we press the heart-shaped icon with two fingers, we tap on the camera-shaped symbol, we shoot our face or any subject then we start drawing, so as to create unique designs.
How to share the music you listen to
iMessage allows you to share the songs recently listened to within the messages, so that the other user can also listen to them (or buy them). To share the music, press the icon in the shape of iTunes, then choose which song to share; if we have nothing to share, we can also use the basic service, offered by the Listen to songs to share menu.
Add functions to iMessage
As we add apps to our iPhone, new features will appear within iMessage. To manually add new stickers, new memoji and new functions, just press the App Store icon (the one on the toolbar), so you can view all the functions that we can for free (and not) to our iMessage account. If the user receives content only in our possession, he will view it without problems but can add it only if he also proceeds to the addition from the dedicated App Store.
Conclusions
iMessage is a bitter rival of WhatsApp and Telegram on the iPhone, as it has innovative and easy-to-use features even for beginner users.Its only real limitation is related to its exclusive use in the Apple environment: only other users of the bitten apple can access all the functions as shown above.
If we are looking for valid alternatives to iMessage on iPhone and iPad, we recommend you read our guide to the Best Apps for messaging: WhatsApp and alternatives . If we are lovers of Emoji smilies, just read our article on How to Enable Emoji Smilies in Messages on Android, iPhone and iPad .
We also want to send SMS from the computer "> Receive and Send SMS from the computer (Android and iPhone).
