Send messages on Mac

1. In the Messages app on your Mac, click the Compose button to start a new message (or use the Touch Bar).

2. Type a name, an email address, or a phone number in the To field for every person you want to send a message to. As you type, Messages suggests matching addresses from your Contacts app or from people you’ve previously sent messages to.

   You can also click the Add button to the right of the To field. Click a contact in the list, then click the email address or phone number.

   If you’re restricted to sending and receiving messages with only certain people, an hourglass icon appears next to those people you can’t send messages to.

3. Enter your message in the field at the bottom of the window. You can include any of the following:

   • Text: Type text in the message field. You can use typing suggestions, if available.

     Tip: Press Option-Return to insert a line break in a message.

   • Audio messages: Click the Record Audio button to send an audio message.

   • Emoji: Click the Emoji Picker button (or use the Touch Bar) to add emoji to your message. If you add three or fewer emoji, they appear as large emoji.

   • Photos: Click the Apps button , then select the Photos button . See Send photos from your library.

   • Memoji Stickers: Click the Apps button , then select the Memoji Stickers button . See Use Memoji stickers and #images.

   • #images: Click the Apps button , then select the #images button . See Use Memoji stickers and #images.

     Note: Sending images and GIFs isn’t available in all countries or regions.

   • Message effects: Click the Apps button , then select the Message Effects button . See Use message effects.

   • Files or web links: Drag or copy and paste files or web links.

4. Press Return on your keyboard or click the Send button to send the message.

When a message contains a request to do something at a particular time or a request where you provide an answer, you can create a reminder. For example, if someone sends a message such as:

• “Call me at 6:00 PM”: Control-click the underlined text and choose Create Reminder.

• “Can you get milk tomorrow?”: After you reply “Yes” (or something similar), a suggested reminder appears in the Reminders app under Siri Suggestions.

See Add, change, or delete reminders.

With macOS Big Sur, you can mention other people in a conversation to call their attention to a specific message. Depending on their settings, this notifies them even if they have muted the conversation.

Mentions are available when you use iMessage.

1. In the Messages app on your Mac, select a conversation.

   To search for contacts and content in conversations, click in the Search field in the top-left corner and enter what you’re looking for. Or, choose from the suggested contacts, links, photos, and more.

   If you’re restricted to sending and receiving messages with only certain people, an hourglass icon appears next to those people you can’t send messages to.

2. Begin typing a contact’s name in the message field at the bottom of the window.

   After you type the person’s name, it becomes dim—click it, then select the contact’s name when it appears.

   You can also mention a contact in Messages by typing @ followed by the contact’s name.

To change your notification preferences when you’re mentioned in Messages, go to Messages > Preferences, click General, then select (or deselect) “Notify me when my name is mentioned.” See Manage notifications from Messages.

With macOS Big Sur, you can reply to a specific message in a conversation inline to improve clarity and help keep conversations organized.

Inline replies are available when you use iMessage.

1. In the Messages app on your Mac, select a conversation.

   To search for contacts and content in conversations, click in the Search field in the top-left corner and enter what you’re looking for. Or, choose from the suggested contacts, links, photos, and more.

   If you’re restricted to sending and receiving messages with only certain people, an hourglass icon appears next to those people you can’t send messages to.

2. Control-click the message or attachment, then choose Reply or press Command-R (or use the Touch Bar).

3. Enter your message in the field at the bottom of the window, then press Return on your keyboard or click the Send button .

You can forward a message (or an attachment such as a photo or video) from a conversation.

1. In the Messages app on your Mac, select a conversation.

   To search for contacts and content in conversations, click in the Search field in the top-left corner and enter what you’re looking for. Or, choose from the suggested contacts, links, photos, and more.

   If you’re restricted to sending and receiving messages with only certain people, an hourglass icon appears next to those people you can’t send messages to.

2. Control-click the message or attachment, then choose Forward.

3. Add a recipient, then press Return.

   The message or attachment is sent.

   You can’t forward a message to someone who’s restricted by communication limits in Screen Time.

If you’re using macOS 10.15 or later, iOS 13 or later, or iPadOS 13 or later, you can send messages to some businesses. Business Chat helps you get answers to questions, resolve issues, get advice on what to buy, make purchases with Apple Pay, and more.

1. On your Mac, search for the business you want to chat with using Maps or open an email from the business.

   See Find a location in Maps.

2. To start a conversation, click Message in the Map Info screen or click a link from the email.

   If this is the first time you’ve messaged this business, a new conversation is created. Otherwise, you can continue your conversation.

   You can’t send a message to a business that’s restricted by communication limits in Screen Time.

3. Enter your message in the field at the bottom of the window, then press Return. You can include any of the same content as you can when you send messages to people.

See the Apple Support article How to use Business Chat.