Set up Messages on iPad

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. iMessage texts appear in blue bubbles.
Through your cellular service as SMS/MMS messages. 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 about the difference between iMessage and SMS/MMS, see the Apple Support article About iMessage and SMS/MMS.

Sign in to iMessage

When you sign in to iMessage on your iPad, your messages are kept up to date, backed up, and available on all your Apple devices where you’re signed in with the same Apple ID. When you communicate with others using iMessage, you can use more apps and features, like read receipts, undo send, message editing, audio messages, collaboration, 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.”

Use Messages in iCloud

When you turn on Messages in iCloud, every message you send and receive on your iPad 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 iPad 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 iPad for information about iCloud storage.

Share your name and photo

In Messages, you can share your name and photo when 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 iPad 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.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide

Set up Messages on iPad

Sign in to iMessage

Use Messages in iCloud

Share your name and photo