How to use iMessage

With the release of the latest iOS software, comes a new feature that rivals the BBM feature that users have been craving for so long.

Although it appears it’s not as easy to set up as you would think. Today we are going to give you a run down on how to get started with iMessage.

Firstly perhaps you’re unaware of this feature in your newly upgraded iPhone/iPad/iPod touch, so here’s a quick brief of what iMessage actually is.

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iMessage

iMessage is a new messaging service for all iOS5 users. You can send unlimited text message via wi-fi or 3G from your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch to anyone with one of those devices. iMessage is built into the messages app so you can send text, photos, videos, locations, and contacts. You can also keep everyone in the loop with group messaging.
You can track your messages with delivery receipts and optional read receipts, see when someone is typing and enjoy a secure encryption for text messages. iMessage is cross device compatible. So you can start a conversation on your iPhone and continue it later on your iPad.

Setting up iMessage

Let’s get started with setting up iMessage.

You should first be running the iOS 5 software, if you aren’t then do a Software update via iTunes first.

Once you’re up and running tap on the settings icon and scroll down to messages. You will then be asked to enter your apple id. Your apple id is the email address that you use for purchasing stuff on iTunes. If you don’t have an account yet you will be prompted to create one.

If you’re doing this on an iPhone people will already be able to iMessage you by using your phone number, but you can also supply an email address so that other iOS enabled devices can iMessage you too.

If you are doing this on an iPad or iPod touch then you can only use iMessage with contacts email addresses, so you must supply one when setting up in order for others to contact you. Any email address that you have will do. It will then verify the email by sending out an email to it that you must open and click on the verify link.

Once the email address has been verified you will be taken to the settings screen for the Messages app. In this screen you have a number of options including enable/disable iMessage, Turn on Read Receipts, or allow your message to be sent as an SMS if iMessage is unable to send the text. This will only work on iPhone.

You can also add more email addresses to receive you iMessages at or turn on/off a subject field.

Sending a message

Now that we’ve got iMessage all set up you will want to send a text. Start by tapping the new message button in the top right corner of the screen. Here you will be asked to choose a contact or begin typing out a contacts name/email address. Once you’ve typed out the contact details iMessage will check it to ensure that it is iMessage enabled.

If it is, you’ll see the email address, phone number, or (if the address is in your contacts) person’s name light up in a blue bubble, acknowledging that you can go ahead and compose your message. In the future, when you type that person’s name or email address, you’ll see a little blue chat bubble next to it in the drop-down menu, signifying that this contact is iMessage-enabled

If you’ve typed in an address or phone number that does not correspond with an iOS device, one of two things will happen, depending on which iOS device you’re using. If you’re on an iPhone, your outgoing message will change into an SMS (or, if you’re messaging a group, a Group MMS), and your contact’s name will highlight in green. If you’re using one of Apple’s other iOS devices—an iPod touch or an iPad—your contact’s name will light up in red with an exclamation point next to it, and you won’t be able to send anything. When you get into a conversation with someone on an iPhone, you’ll be able to tell whether it’s an SMS/MMS or iMessage conversation by the color of your chat bubbles; green for SMS, blue for iMessage.

And that’s pretty much it.

This guide should help you to get started on your way to using iMessage.
Feel free to click one of the share buttons at the top of the page to help others get their iMessage set up.

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