Send and receive text messages on iPad

Use the Messages app to send and receive texts, photos, videos, and more using the iMessage or SMS/MMS service. With iMessage, you can enhance your messages with bubble effects, invisible ink, full-screen effects, and more.

The Messages list on the left and a conversation on the right. At the top of the Messages list, in the left and right corners respectively, are the Edit and Compose buttons. At the top right of the conversation window is the More Info button. Along the bottom of the conversation window, from left to right, are the Attach Media, Digital Touch, and Messaging Apps buttons, the text field, and the Record Audio button.

Start a conversation

In Messages, you can have a conversation with one or more people.

In your Messages list, tap .
Enter the phone number or Apple ID of each recipient, or tap , then choose contacts.
Tap the text field, type your message, then tap to send it.
An alert appears if a message can’t be sent. Tap the alert to try sending the message again.

Resume a conversation

Ask Siri. Say something like:

“Send a message to Eliza saying how about tomorrow”
“Reply that’s great news”
“Read my last message from Bob”

Learn how to ask Siri

Or do the following:

In the Messages list, tap the conversation.
Tip: To search for contacts and content in conversations, pull down the Messages list, tap the search field, then enter what you’re looking for.
Tap the text field, then type your message.

Tip: To replace text with emoji, tap or to switch to the Emoji keyboard, then tap each highlighted word.

You can quickly reply to a message with a Tapback, like a thumbs up or a heart. Double-tap the message bubble that you want to respond to, then choose your response.

Switch from a Messages conversation to a FaceTime call

In a Messages conversation, you can initiate a FaceTime call with the person you’re chatting with in Messages.

In a Messages conversation, tap the profile picture or the name at the top of the conversation.
Tap FaceTime.

Use Business Chat

(U.S. only; beta) In Messages, you can communicate with businesses that offer Business Chat. You can get answers to questions, resolve issues, get advice on what to buy, make purchases with Apple Pay, and more.

Search for the business you want to chat with using Maps, Safari, Search, or Siri.
Start a conversation by tapping a chat link in the search results—for example, , the company logo, or a text link (the appearance of the chat link varies with the context).
You can also initiate a chat with some businesses from their website or iOS app. See the Apple Support article How to use Business Chat.

Note: Business Chat messages you send appear in dark gray, to distinguish them from iMessages (in blue) and SMS/MMS messages (in green).

Helpful?

iPad User Guide

Send and receive text messages on iPad

Start a conversation

Resume a conversation

Switch from a Messages conversation to a FaceTime call

Use Business Chat