Send Messages on an iPad

This article teaches you how to use your iPad's Messages feature to contact other iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Mac users.

Steps

Enabling Apple Messages

1. Open your iPad's Settings. It's the grey app with gears on it that you'll likely find on the Home Screen.
2. Tap Messages. This option is in the bar on the left side of the screen, close to the bottom of the iPad's screen.
   • Depending on your iPad's orientation and screen size, you may first have to scroll down.
3. Slide iMessage right to the "On" position. It's at the top of the "Messages" page; the switch should turn green, thereby indicating that the Apple Messages feature is enabled.
   • If this switch is already green, Apple Messages are already enabled.

Using Apple Messages

1. Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi. Unless your iPad has cellular data, you'll need to be connected to the Internet to send a message to a fellow Apple user. To do this:
   • Open Settings if you closed it.
   • Tap Wi-F at the top of the options bar on the left side of the screen.
   • Look for a blue checkmark to the left of a network's name, or slide Wi-Fi right if it's disabled.
2. Open Messages. This app is green with a white speech bubble icon on it.
3. Tap a contact's name. You should see the names of people who have messaged you (if applicable) on the left side of your iPad's screen. Selecting one will open a conversation with them.
   • If you don't see any contacts here, tap the "New Message" icon, which resembles a square with a pencil on it, and type in a contact's name, phone number, or Apple email address.
   • You can also tap the + icon in the far-right side of the "To" field to select a contact's name.
4. Tap the text field. It's the white bar at the bottom of the screen. You should see an on-screen keyboard pop up.
5. Type in a message. You'll use the on-screen keyboard to do so.
   • You can also tap the camera icon in the left side of the text field to select a photo or video from your iPad's camera roll. Tapping a photo or video will add it to your message, at which point you may keep typing.
6. Tap the "Send" arrow. It's the white arrow on a blue background in the right-hand corner of the text field. Doing so will send your message; when it arrives in your recipient's Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod, you'll see a "Delivered" stamp below the message.
   • If you don't immediately see "Delivered" below the stamp, don't worry--your message may not be delivered until your recipient connects to Wi-Fi.

Tips

• While you can't message non-Apple users with Apple Messages unless your iPad has cellular data, you can download a third-party messaging app like WhatsApp or Create-an-Account-in-WeChat-Using-Your-iOS-Devices to bridge the gap between your friends' technology and your own.
• Apple Messages can be sent over Wi-Fi or cellular connections. If your iPad has cellular data, you can message from anywhere with coverage.

Warnings

• If the contact or number you add to the To: field is not registered with iMessage, a warning will appear to let you know that the message can’t be sent.

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See also

• Make a Heart Symbol on iPhone or iPad
• Turn Off the Selfie Flash on iPhone or iPad
• Forget a Network on iPhone or iPad
• Set Side Switch Function On an iPad
• Crop Photos on an iPad With the Photos App
• Add Websites to an iPhone or iPad's Reading List to View Offline
• Delete Pictures on an iPad
• Back Up an iPad
• Use Siri on an iPad
• Install Apps On an iPad

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What links here

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