What is iMessage and how does it work?

By Angelo Ilumba

Last updated 13 December 2023

In this Guide

What Is iMessage?
iMessage Syncing
Pros of iMessage
What If My Friends Don't Use iMessage?
Getting iMessage

Article summary

iMessage is Apple's instant/text messaging platform that allows users to send messages (as well as plenty of other things) to other Apple users through an internet connection. Syncing and integration across different devices and through iCloud help make using iMessage seamless in various parts of your life.

With an Apple ID and an Apple device you can get connected to iMessage and take advantage of this great messaging service.

Any proper Millennial or Gen Z-er will tell you that phone calls are just not a thing – except for maybe a way for scammers and robocallers to bomb your phone. In any given day, chances are you'll hear something like "I'll text you later," before you'll hear "I'll call you later."

Over the years, as cell phones and smartphones have become commonplace, so has texting. It seems, in fact, that texting is the preferred avenue of communication (over phone calls anyway). Of course, with Apple being the big player in the mobile world, it's no surprise that they have their own texting platform, iMessages, to help their users turn their iPhones, iPads, and Macs into the ultimate communication machines.

What is iMessage?

Quite simply, iMessage is Apple's text/instant messaging service. Through iMessage you can send texts, photos, videos, emojis, GIFs, contacts, location drops, and more to other Apple users. All of this is done through various forms of internet access (WiFi, mobile data, etc,) which means you don't have to use any of those text messages (SMS, MMS) that are part of your cell phone plan. With iMessage, you might not necessarily need to pay for unlimited text message (you'll still need them for texting people who aren't Apple users). Sure, you'll have to use data, but keep in mind, text messages don't use much data at all.

iMessage syncing

One of the best features about iMessage is the syncing between devices. As long as you have an Apple ID (you do if you have an iPhone), you can use it to sign onto iMessage through your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. All devices you are signed onto will receive your iMessages. You can seamlessly transition from one device to the next without missing a message.

The relatively recent integration of iCloud and iMessage makes syncing even better. Before, when you synced a new device all previous messages would not show up on the new device. Now, with messages saved to iCloud, your new devices can access your iMessage history so you will not feel like something is missing when you check your iMessages on your new iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

How to set up iMessage

All you need to have to set up iMessages is an Apple ID, which most people will set up when they first purchase their iDevice and install iTunes. If you’re already using iO5 or higher, you were probably prompted to turn iMessages on when you first updated or bought your Apple product. But if you need some guidance:

Go to Settings and select Messages (this applies to iPads and iPods as well as the iPhone).
You may be prompted to enter your Apple ID, or create one if you haven’t already.
Slide the iMessage option to On.
If you only own an iPhone, you can leave it there. If you want people to send messages to your Apple ID and not just your phone number, or you’re using an iPod or iPad, go to Send and Receive or Received At, depending what operating system you’re running, and enter your Apple ID and any additional address you’d like to be reached at.
You can select whether you’d like to enable other options, such as SMS messaging and group messaging (depending on your OS) and if you’d like to show a subject field or the character count.
You can also elect if you’d like to enable Read Receipts, meaning whomever you’re messaging will be able to see when you’ve read their last message.

Once you’re all set up, just compose your message as you would normally. If your contact also uses iMessage, your device will figure this out all by itself and switch from an SMS to an iMessage without your prompting. If they don’t, your message will go through as a regular text.

If you’re using an iPad or iPod and enter an address or phone number of someone who doesn’t use iMessage, the name will be highlighted red with an exclamation point and you won’t be able to send them anything (as you can’t send SMS through these devices). Are you an Android user? Learn how to use iMessage on Android.

iPad and iPhone showing the iMessage application

Pros of iMessage

iMessage is built into iPhones and is easy to setup
Can toggle between Apple ID and phone number
Since iMessage is linked to Apple ID and not your SIM, you can travel with iMessage relatively easily
Can see when another iMessage user is preparing a message for you
As of iOS 16 you can edit or unsend iMessages

What if my friends don't use iMessage?

Unlike external third party apps, iMessage is built into Apple’s iPhone normal texting application and can be turned on by default, so it’s easy enough to use even for the less technologically savvy among us.

But if you’re looking for an easy, free way to stay in touch with contacts across all platforms, there are several great messaging apps available that will work across all operating systems.

WhatsApp is probably the most popular—it’s similar to iMessage in that it utilizes your phone’s WiFi or data connection to send and receive messages, but is compatible with iPhones, Android and Windows Phone operated devices.

So if you’ve got a lot of contacts who don’t use Apple, it could be a worthwhile download for you and your friends and family.

Getting iMessage

Getting iMessage is really as easy as having an Apple ID and an Apple device.

Don't have an Apple device? With so many iterations of the Apple iPhone available, now could be your time to get a new Apple iPhone. Tip: you don't need the latest (and most expensive) iPhone to enjoy most of iOS features. You might be better off saving money by buying an older model.

Check out some of the iPhones available on the market today.

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