Apple gave the iPhone 7 Plus a major messaging upgrade with iOS 10—bringing cool features like full-screen effects, Digital Touch, invisible ink, and even handwritten messages.
Here’s everything you need to know to set up, use, and customize Messages, SMS, MMS, and iMessage on your iPhone 7 Plus.

Setting Up SMS, MMS, and iMessage

Go to Settings > Messages.
Turn on iMessage.
Sign in with your Apple ID if prompted.

Tip: To sync your conversations across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, sign in with the same Apple ID on all devices and turn on Handoff.

How to Send and Receive Messages

Sending a New Message

Open Messages.
Tap the Compose icon.
Enter a phone number, email address, or select a contact.
Type your message.
Tap the Send icon.

Starting a Group Message

Open Messages.
Tap Compose.
Add multiple recipients.

Managing Messages: Forward, Delete, Mute

Forward a Message

Touch and hold the message.
Tap More > Forward.
Enter the recipient and send.

Delete a Message or Conversation

Touch and hold a message > Tap More > Tap Trash.
Swipe left over a conversation and tap Delete.
To bulk delete: Tap Edit in Messages > Select conversations > Tap Delete.

Note: Deleted messages can’t be recovered, so double-check before deleting.

Mute a Conversation

Open the conversation.
Tap the Info (i) icon.
Turn on Do Not Disturb.

You’ll still receive other notifications—just not from that chat.

Customize Your Messaging Experience

Use Predictive Text

Predictive text offers word suggestions while you type.
To disable it:
- Touch and hold the globe or emoji icon on your keyboard.
- Toggle Predictive off.

Send Handwritten Messages

Turn your iPhone to landscape mode.
Tap the handwriting icon.
Write your message with your finger.
Tap Done and send.

Add Bubble and Full-Screen Effects

Bubble Effects:

After typing a message, press and hold the Send button.
Choose a bubble effect (like Slam, Loud, Gentle, or Invisible Ink).

Full-Screen Effects:

After typing a message, press and hold the Send button.
Tap Screen and swipe to preview full-screen effects (like balloons, lasers, fireworks).
Tap Send.

Using iMessage Features

Send Photos and Videos

Tap the Camera icon inside Messages.
Snap a photo, record a video, or pick from your Photo Library.
Tap Send.

Send Audio Messages

Hold the Record button (mic icon).
Speak your message.
Release and tap Send.

Quick Tip:
Audio messages auto-delete after two minutes unless you set it to Never in Settings > Messages > Audio Messages > Expire.

Share Your Location

Open a conversation.
Tap the Info (i) icon.
Tap Send My Current Location or Share My Location.

Use Digital Touch

Tap the Heart with two fingers icon.
Draw or send heartbeats, taps, kisses, and more.
You can even add these effects to a photo or video.

Manage Message Notifications and Privacy

Customize Notifications

Settings > Notifications > Messages to change alert sounds, banners, badges, and previews.

Set Unique Text Tones

Open Contacts.
Tap a contact > Edit > Text Tone.

Block Unwanted Senders

Settings > Messages > Blocked > Add contacts to block calls and texts.

Filter Unknown Senders

Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders to sort iMessages from people not in your contacts into a separate list.

Find Attachments in a Conversation

Open a conversation.
Tap the Info (i) icon.
Scroll to see Images and Attachments.

iPhone 7 Plus SMS, MMS, and iMessage Guide