Sending and receiving of text and multimedia messages on the new #Apple iPhone 7 Plus (#iPhone7Plus) are now up to a new level with the more enhanced messaging #SMS/MMS services or iMessage. With iOS 10, Messages offers you with SMS/MMS messaging functions similar to that of the Facebook Messenger application.
Apparently, Apple has revamped its messaging tool with the latest iOS platform and added more features for you to use. Among the many interesting new features of the iMessage service on iOS 10 include but not limited to bubble effects, full-screen effects, own handwriting, invisible ink, stickers, Digital Touch, iMessage apps, and more. This content demonstrates the steps on how to use each and manage each of these features while using the Messages or iMessage services on your new iPhone. Feel free to refer to this content when necessary.
Apple iPhone 7 Plus SMS/MMS Messaging Guide
Setting up SMS/MMS and iMessage on your iPhone 7 Plus
Your iPhone’s Messages app uses a cellular connection to allow exchange of messages with other SMS and MMS devices as well as with other iOS devices and Mac computers via iMessage.
Meanwhile, sending of messages with Apple’s iMessage service is done through Wi-Fi or cellular connection to other iOS devices with iOS 5 or later platforms and Mac computers with OS X 10.8 or later versions. Messages sent through iMessage include videos, photos, and other information. Apple’s iMessage allows you to see when other people are typing as well as let them know when you have read their messages. It’s similar to that of Facebook Messenger.
You will need to sign in to your iMessage account using your Apple ID and password, for you to use the service. Here’s how to get started with iMessage on your new iPhone:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Messages.
- Turn on iMessage.
Note: All messages that you send and receive on your iPhone can also appear on your other Apple devices, if you are signed in to iMessage using the same Apple ID on all your devices. In this case, you will be able to send a message from whichever device nearest to you or start a conversation on any device and continue it on another using Handoff.
Handoff is an iPhone sharing tool used to pick up one device where you left off on another. In order to use this function, you need to sign in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on all your devices. Also, all your devices must be within the Bluetooth range of each other, that is approximately 10 meters.
To sign in to and use iMessage on your Mac computer, follow these steps:
- Open Messages.
- Select Messages.
- Go to Preferences.
- Click Accounts.
- Select iMessage in the Accounts list.
- Enter your Apple ID and password.
- Click Sign In.
All the SMS and MMS messages you send and receive on your iPhone can also appear on your other iOS devices and your Mac computer using a tool called Continuity. It’s a feature that allows your devices to work together for you to do more like making or receiving phone calls without picking your iPhone, and other multitasking gestures.
Sending and Receiving Messages on your iPhone 7 Plus
With your iPhone Messages app, you can send texts, photos, videos, and audio messages. Your messages can be personalized with animated effects, iMessage apps, and other cool features within the Messages app. For those who are new to the iOS 10 platform, here’s how to send, forward, delete a message or conversation on your new iPhone.
To send a message, follow these steps:
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap the Compose icon.
- Enter a contact recipient or go to an existing conversation.
- Tap the text field and then start typing your message.
- Once you’re done, tap the Send icon to send your message.
To start a conversation, follow these steps:
- Tap the Compose icon.
- Enter the recipient’s phone number or email address. Alternatively, you can tap on the Add contact (+) icon and then select a contact from the list. If you want to send the message to more than one recipient, just tap the Compose icon and then enter multiple recipients.
- Tap the text field.
- Enter your message.
- Once you’re done, tap the Send icon to send your message.
Quick Tips:
- Another way to start a conversation is by going to Mail, Calendar, or Safari apps. From there, touch and hold a phone number, and then tap Send Message.
- You can also start a conversation on the Home screen using 3D Touch. To do so, press the Messages icon from the Home screen and then tap on New Message.
- In case you would want to view what time a message was sent or received, drag a bubble to the left.
- You will see an alert (!) icon if a message cannot be sent. To send the message again, tap on the alert icon.
- You can name the conversation, add someone to the conversation, or leave the conversation by simply tapping the information (i) icon.
How to Forward a Message on your iPhone 7 Plus
If you want to forward a message you received from someone, follow these instructions:
- Open a message conversation.
- Touch and hold the message bubble that you want to forward.
- Tap More.
- Tap the Forward Message icon (Right Arrow).
- Enter a contact/recipient.
- Tap the Send Message icon.
How to Delete a Message or Conversation on your iPhone 7 Plus
Be sure to save important information from your messages because when you delete a message or conversation, there is no way for you to get it back. Here’s how to delete a message on your new iPhone:
- Open a Message conversation.
- In a message conversation, tap and hold the message bubble that you want to delete.
- Tap More.
- Tap the Trash icon.
- Tap Delete Message to confirm deletion of selected message.
- Tap Delete All located in the upper-left corner, if you want to delete all messages in the thread.
To delete a conversation, follow these steps:
- Open the Messages app.
- Swipe left over the conversation that you want to erase.
- Tap Delete to confirm action.
To delete more than one conversation at a time, follow these steps:
- Open Messages.
- Tap Edit located in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Tap the circle next to the conversation.
- Tap Delete in the bottom-right corner to confirm action.
To keep your messages for a certain period of time, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Messages.
- Tap Keep Messages.
- Select how long you want to keep your messages.
How to use Predictive Text on your iPhone 7 Plus
Predictive Text is a messaging feature on your iPhone that allows you to write and complete entire sentences with just a few taps. It works by giving you choices for words and phrases you’d probably type next as you type. Suggests are based on your previous conversations and writing style. You may opt to disable Predictive text if you don’t want to use it.
To turn this feature off, just touch and hold the emoji smile (default menu) or the globe icon and then tap the slider next to Predictive.
How to Mute Conversations on your iPhone 7 Plus
Your iPhone allows you to mute conversations and stop receiving message notifications on a conversation. Here’s how to mute conversations on your new iPhone:
- Go to the conversation that you want to mute.
- Tap the information (i) icon.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb.
When Do Not Disturb is turned on or enabled, a crescent moon icon appears next to the conversation.
Note: You will still be able to get other notifications on your device, or get all other messages and view notifications for them on the lock screen.
Alternatively, you can also enable Do Not Disturb to mute all your conversations on your iPhone. To do so, navigate to Settings-> Do Not Disturb-> and then select Manual or Scheduled. Using this feature will stop all notifications on your device.
Quick Tips:
- If you want to resume a conversation, simply tap the conversation in the Messages list.
- To preview a conversation and quickly reply, press the conversation in the Messages list, swipe up the screen, and then select a response.
- Alternatively, you can use Tapback to send a quick response that lets people know what you’re thinking.
- To respond to a message with Tapback, double-tap a message, and then select your response.
How to Find Attachments from a Conversation on your iPhone 7 Plus
The following steps will help you find attach files from a conversation:
- Open the conversation.
- Tap the information (i) icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.
- Go to Images and Attachments sections.
- Tap an image or attachment to open it.
Alternatively, you can also touch and hold the image or attachment to view other options such as Copy, Delete, and More.
How to Send and Share your Location in a Message
With the iOS 10 Messages app, you can also indicate your location in a message just like when using Facebook Messenger. Follow these steps:
- Open a message conversation.
- Tap the information (i) icon in the upper-right corner.
- Tap Send My Current Location to let your recipient see your location on the map.
- Alternatively, you can also tap Share My Location and then select the time duration you want to share your location for, like one hour, one day, or indefinitely.
The Messages app will set up temporary or permanent location sharing via Find My Friends based on your selection.
How to share Photos, Videos, and Audio Files in a Message
With your iPhone’s MMS or iMessage service, you can send messages with pictures, videos, and audio. Here’s how to share a photo or video on your new iPhone:
- Tap the Camera icon to get started.
- Proceed with any of the following actions:
- Quickly take a photo from within Messages by framing the shot in the viewfinder and then tap on dark circle icon.
- Select a recent photo or video by swiping left to browse through recent shots.
- Take a photo or video using Camera by swiping right, and then tap Camera.
- Select a photo or video from your Photo Library by swiping right, and then tap Photo Library.
- Tap the Send icon to send or X to Cancel your message.
- You can also mark up a photo by tapping in the message bubble, and then tap Markup. You then can use the Markup tools to annotate the photo.
Note: The size limit of attachments is usually determined by your carrier. Your attachments may be compressed when necessary.
How to send an Audio Message on your iPhone 7 Plus
Tired of typing? No problem, you can just say your message then. The following steps will teach you how to send an audio message with your iPhone’s Messages application:
- Touch and hold the Record icon to start recording an audio message.
- When you’re done recording, tap the Stop/End recording icon.
- To listen to your audio message before sending, tap the Play button.
- When all are set, tap the Send icon to send your audio message or X to cancel.
Note: Audio messages are automatically deleted in two minutes after you listen to them to save space on your iPhone. If you don’t want your audio messages to be removed from your device automatically in two minutes, tap the option to always keep them. To do so, navigate to Settings-> Messages-> Expire (below Audio Messages) -> and then tap Never.
How to use iMessage Digital Touch on your iPhone 7 Plus
Digital Touch is an iMessage feature that lets you send sketches, taps, kisses, heartbeats, and more. You can also add a Digital Touch effect to a photo or video.
Here’s how it works:
- Tap the heartbeat icon and then draw with one finger. You can also change the color and then start drawing again. Once you’re done, tap the Send icon to send your sketch.
- You can also express your feelings using a Digital Touch effect. To do so, just tap the heartbeat icon, and then use gestures on the canvas. Once you’ve finished the gesture, your feelings are sent automatically.
Other feelings and gestures you can use:
- Tap – tap with one finger to create a burst of color, change the color, and then tap again.
- Fireball – touch and hold with one finger.
- Kiss – tap with two fingers.
- Heartbeat – touch and hold with two fingers.
- Heartbreak – touch and hold with two fingers until the heartbeat image appears, and then drag down to break the heart.
Quick Tip:
- Messages may also use the recorded data with your Apple Watch or another sensor that records heartbeat data when you send a Digital Touch heartbeat.
Adding a Digital Touch to photos and videos
You can also add a Digital Touch effect to a photo or video. If you want to give it a try, follow these steps:
- Tap the heartbeat icon.
- Next, tap the Camera icon.
- To take a picture, tap the black circle.
- To record a video, tap the red circle.
- Now you can start adding a Digital Touch effect like a sketch or kiss to the photo or video.
- Once you’re done, tap the Send icon.
How to Create and Send Handwritten Messages on your iPhone 7 Plus
With the latest iMessage platform, you can send a handwritten message with your new iPhone 7 Plus and let the recipient see the message animate just as ink flows on paper. Here’s how to get started:
- Open the Messages app.
- Set it to landscape view or orientation.
- While in landscape orientation, tap the text field then tap the handwritten messages icon.
- Now start writing a message with your finger.
- Once you’re finished, tap Done.
- Tap the Send icon to send or X to cancel your handwritten message.
Quick Tip:
- You can also send a saved message. After you create and send a handwritten message, it will be saved at the bottom of the handwriting screen. To use it again, simply tap the saved message.
How to Animate Messages on your iPhone 7 Plus
Another new interesting feature of the iMessage tool on iOS 10 is animation. This means you can animate a single message with a bubble effect or fill the entire message screen with a full-screen effect. You can also send a personal message using invisible ink. Here’s how it works.
Follow these steps to use a bubble effect:
- After you type a message, press the arrow up icon.
- Tap the choices to preview different bubble effects available.
- Tap the Send icon to send.
Quick Tip:
- When you use invisible ink when sending a personal message, the message will remain blurred until the recipient swipes to reveal it.
Follow these steps to use a full-screen effect:
- After you type a message, press the arrow up icon.
- Tap Screen.
- Swipe left or right to preview different screen effects.
- Select your full-screen effect and then tap the Send icon to send your full-screen animated message.
How to Manage Message Notifications and Privacy on your iPhone 7 Plus
You can set your iPhone to configure and filter message notifications according to your preferences. Follow these steps to configure and manage notifications for messages on your new iPhone:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Tap Messages.
To set the alert sound for messages:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Sounds.
- Tap Text Tone.
To set a distinctive alert tone or vibration for certain contact:
- Open the Contacts app.
- Tap a contact.
- Tap Edit.
- Tap Text Tone.
To block unwanted messages, voice calls, and FaceTime calls from certain people:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Messages.
- Tap Blocked.
To filter unknown senders:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Messages.
- Turn on Filter Unknown Senders.
Choosing this option will turn off iMessage notifications from people who are not in your contacts and sorts them into a separate Messages list.
When viewing a message from an unknown sender, tap Report Junk below the message to delete it or send it to Apple.