Messages User Guide

for macOS Monterey

The Messages window with several conversations listed in the sidebar at the left, and an active conversation at the right. The conversation includes confetti message effects, a photo, and a Tapback on the last message.

Send unlimited messages

If your friends have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or a Mac, you can send them unlimited messages using iMessage. Include photos (even Live Photos), Tapbacks, message effects, and more.

How to send messages

The Messages window with several conversations listed in the sidebar at the left, and the transcript showing at the right. The message bubbles are green, indicating they were sent as SMS text messages.

Text anyone, on any device

If you have an iPhone, you can send SMS texts to anyone with any device, right from Messages on your Mac. When they text you back, you don’t have to jump up to get your iPhone—just reply on your Mac.

How to set up your iPhone for SMS text messages on your Mac

Details view, with the call, video, and screen sharing buttons under your friend’s name.

Go from texting to talking

When you’re in the mood to talk with your friends face-to-face or share your screen, you can do it directly from a message conversation.

How to make a FaceTime video call from Messages

The Mac desktop with two windows open: the Messages window with five photos shared as a stack in a conversation, and the Photos window with the the same photo (and others) in the Shared with You section of the library.

Find content shared with you

Easily find links, photos, and other content shared with you in Messages in a new Shared with You section in the corresponding app, such as Photos or Podcasts. You can pin shared content to elevate it and find it more easily in the Details view of the conversation, in Messages search, and in Shared with You.

How to keep track of shared content

To explore the Messages User Guide, click Table of Contents at the top of the page, or enter a word or phrase in the search field.

If you need more help, visit the Messages Support website.

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