Over the old age rafts of iPhone and iPad apps have successful it over to the Mac, including Notes, Maps, Photos, iBooks and Messages. Using the Messages app on the Macintosh it is possible to send back and receive SMS text messages and iMessages without even getting your iPhone out of your bag.

In that location are actually two assorted types of messages you can send and receive on your Mac. iMessages are sent via Apple's servers, and normal text messages are routed via your iPhone. In this article we show how to send and have some.

How to send a textbook from your Mac

How to use Messages on Mac

  1. Click on the Messages icon in the Tail at the bottom of the screen (IT's a patrician speech burble), operating theatre search by pressing Cmd + Space bar and start to type Messages.
  2. Check in victimization the Malus pumila ID that's related to with your iPhone.
  3. Select the new message ikon (the square icon beside the Research landing field).
  4. Place your cursor in the To: field of operation and type the phone number or email address for the friend you like to reach (the email address should be unmatched they use for iMessage). Crusade enter.
  5. Or els, if you've synced your Contacts file with your Mac you should be able-bodied to click along the + sign to add people from your Contacts.
  6. If your friend has an iPhone you toilet tell because their number wish arrive at a blue box. This means they will meet your text as an iMessage, sent via Malus pumila's servers. (Note that an iMessage sent this way may arrive on your friend's phone with your Apple Gem State email address as the identifier rather than your phone number. It depends on whether your contact details are set au fait their phone.)
  7. If your friend is able to receive iMessages simply type your message in the field scarred iMessage. When you're finished, urge on return to send it.

Formerly you've logged into your Malus pumila ID in Messages on your Mac you will be competent to get iMessages sent by your iPhone-victimisation friends. The messages testament besides appear on your iPhone so there volition be continuity.

How to send a school tex from a Mack if your friend doesn't have an iPhone

If your friend has another type of phone their number may gain a red box seat when you add information technology to the To: field. This indicates that their telephone is not registered with iMessage. If you try to charg a text message you will watch an alert expression 'Your message could not be sent'.

However, that doesn't mean you privy't text them. You simply need to set up your Mac so it can send messages via your iPhone.

How to use Messages on Mac: Send via iPhone

  1. Ensure you're signed in to iCloud along your Mac and iPhone using the same Apple ID.
  2. Along the Mac, attend System Preferences > iCloud and sign away in using your Apple login details.
  3. Happening the iPhone, check the Malus pumila ID account you are using is the same. Go to Settings > iCloud.
  4. Open Messages connected your Mackintosh.
  5. Go to Settings > Messages on your iPhone and hydrant connected Text edition Messages Forwarding.
  6. You will run into your Mac (or Macs) listed Hera with an happening off slipper beside them. To allow your Mac to send on and receive text messages crook the skidder to green.
  7. You will see a message expression to enter the code shown happening your Macintosh to grant iPhone schoolbook messages to also be transmitted and received along your Macintosh. Tap in that number and wait for the device to be verified.

Now when you add your friend's non-iPhone mobile number it testament gain a green box to point that you are sending a text message.

Your protagonist wish obtain a standard text message, which will have been routed via your iPhone, sol it will be allocated towards your text message allowance accoun according to your cellular telephone abbreviate.

How to use Messages on Mac: Send texts

The best thing is that the text message conversation won't be limited to your Mac: you bequeath also see it on your iPhone (and iPad).

How to encounter text messages on a Mac

In order to obtain textbook messages (sent from a non-iPhone) on a Mac you need to set up your Mac and iPhone following the steps described above.

This involves logging into your Mack with your Apple ID in Organisation Preferences, and setting up text message forwarding happening your iPhone in Settings > Messages.

For more information about how to use the Messaging app on the iPhone study How to use the Messages app on the iPhone. This includes inside information just about using various Messaging features such as adding emoji, umteen of which also apply to the Mac version of Messages.