iMessage on a Mac
Malus pumila

iMessage is a inbuilt electronic messaging app for everyone in Malus pumila's ecosystem. From your Mac, you can message wholly your iPhone-using friends, and—if you have an iPhone as comfortably—send and receive regular SMS messages with Android users.

Bound up: How to Hardened up Textual matter Subject matter Forwarding on Your Mackintosh operating room iPad

How to Set Up Messages on Your Macintosh

You don't need to use iCloud (or even have an iPhone) to usage iMessage, but you will need an Apple ID. If you already have an iCloud account, the electronic mail you old to sign upwards will be your Apple I.D..

Launch the Messages app from the Bobtail, your Applications folder, or by searching for IT with Command+Place. If this is your first metre launching the app, you'll make up asked to check in. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can get through "Create newfound Malus pumila ID" at the bottom to sign ascending. Other than, sign in with your extant Apple ID.

iMessage sign in page

After you've signed in, open Message's settings by clicking on "Messages" in the menu bar and selecting "Preferences"—or by pressing Command+Comma.

iMessage preferences

Under the "iMessage" tab, you'll find the options for managing your iMessage business relationship. You'll want to make sure your phone number surgery e-mail is recorded under "You can embody reached for messages at," OR else you South Korean won't get any messages along your Macintosh.

imessage preferences

If you have deuce contacts, such as your Apple ID and your phone number, you can receive messages connected both accounts. At the bottom, you can choose which unitary you prefer to apply when messaging recently people. Using an e-mail-based iMessage account is the duplicate every bit using a phone-settled combined; you can message anyone using iMessage, steady away their number. But only phone-based accounts can message Android users over SMS.

Before closing this window, you'll want to make sure "Enable Messages in iCloud" is enabled then that all your old messages sync to your Mac properly. You'll want to enable this on all your devices.

enable messages in icloud toggle

RELATED: How to Sync Your iMessages Across All Your Apple Devices

If your phone routine doesn't show up in the Messages preferences, you'll have to make a point iMessage is enabled on your earpiece. Attend Settings > Messages happening your headphone and make sure iMessage is aroused. If it isn't, you'll see "Use your Malus pumila ID for iMessage," which you should click and preindication in with the account you're victimisation along your Mac.

enable iMessage on your iPhone
Apple

After everything is enabled, your phone number should surfac in the Messages preferences connected your Mac within a few minutes, after which you're free to use iMessage as you wish.

If you want to send back and receive SMS messages—this wish let you communicate with Android users and anyone else World Health Organization doesn't have Apple iMessage—you'll have to enable Schoolbook Content Forwarding iPhone too, and connectedness your Macintosh and each other connected device.

RELATED: How to Set up Text Substance Forwarding on Your Mac or iPad

You'll need to use FaceTime if you want to make audio or picture calls. FaceTime is a separate application merely has a similar setup process.


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