Sending and Receiving Messages

For important information about driving safely, see the Important Product Information Guide.

Messages lets you exchange text messages with anyone using an SMS-capable phone. Messages also supports MMS, so you can send photos, video clips (iPhone 3GS only), contact information, and voice memos to other MMS-capable devices. You can enter multiple addresses and send a message to several people at the same time.

NOTE: MMS is available only on iPhone 3G or later. SMS or MMS support may not be available in all regions. Additional fees may apply for use of Messages. Contact your carrier for complete information.

You can use Messages whenever you’re in range of the cellular network. If you can make a call, you can send a message. Depending on your phone plan, you may be charged for the messages you send or receive.

Send a message: 

Tap New message icon, then enter a phone number or name, or tap Blue dot with plus sign and choose a contact from your contacts list. Tap the text field above the keyboard, type a message, and tap Send.

The Messages icon on the Home screen shows the total number of unread messages you have.

The Messages application icon with a counter on the upper-right corner that indicates the number of unread text messages.

Your conversations are saved in the Messages list. Conversations that contain unread messages have a blue dot Blue dot next to them. Tap a conversation in the list to see that conversation or add to it.

A screen showing text messages in a conversation. At the top of the screen is the title bar with a Messages button on the left, a progress bar showing how much of the message has been sent in the center, and a Clear button on the right. Below the title bar are the text messages sent and received during a conversation, and a photo included in the conversation. At the bottom of the screen are from left to right: a Camera button, a text entry field, and the Send button.

iPhone displays the 50 most recent messages in the conversation. To see earlier messages, scroll to the top and tap Load Earlier Messages.

Send a message to more than one person: 

Tap New message icon, then add recipients. If you enter a phone number manually (instead of selecting it from Contacts), tap Return before entering another entry.

Replies from any of the recipients are sent only to you, not to the other people you texted.

Reply or send a message to a person (or group) you’ve texted before: 

Tap an entry in the Messages list, then type a new message in the conversation and tap Send.

Send a message to a favorite or to a recent call: 

  1. From the Home screen tap Phone, then tap Favorites or Recents.

  2. Tap Blue dot with right arrow next to a name or number, then tap Text Message.

  3. If multiple phone numbers appear, tap the one you want to text.

When MMS is available, Messages allows you to include a subject in your text messages. You can turn this feature on or off in Messages settings. It is turned on by default.

Include or remove the subject field: 

In Settings, tap Messages, then tap Show Subject Field to turn it on or off.

NOTE: The subject field and the Show Subject Field setting don’t appear if MMS isn’t supported by your carrier.

Turn MMS messaging on or off: 

In Settings, tap Messages, then tap MMS Messaging to turn it on or off. You may want to turn MMS Messaging off, for example, to prevent sending or receiving attachments when fees apply.

NOTE: The MMS Messaging setting doesn’t appear if MMS isn’t supported by your carrier.