Apple iPhone XR iMessage Guide: How to send an iMessage on your iPhone XR

Need help with the iPhone XR iMessage feature? If so, then this post will help you use and manage iMessages on your iPhone XR. If you’re still new to the iOS platform, then this guide will help you get started in making the most of your phone’s advanced messaging feature. Read on to learn more.

iMessage is a built-in instant messaging service embedded into Apple’s built-in Messages app. It allows you to send messages, photos, videos, audio files and other multiple media contents to phone numbers or email addresses of recipients with Apple devices. The iMessage system showcases various cool features that every iOS user will surely enjoy. Such features include sharing user’s location, send animated GIFs and stickers, share music, being able to send audio voice messages, a confirmation that a message was sent, read, and see if the recipient is replying to your message. Your iMessage is also synced with your iCloud account.

If however, you are looking for a solution to a problem, drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already addressed the most common issues with this phone. Find problems that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work for you or if you need more help, then feel free to contact us through our iPhone issues questionnaire.

Getting started with iMessage on iPhone XR

By default, iMessage is not enabled on an iOS device. Thus, you need to activate it manually. If you haven’t enabled it during the initial setup process, then you can switch it on through your phone settings. Prior to setting up your device for iMessaging, you need to activate your Apple ID beforehand.  Once you already have activated your Apple ID, you can proceed and set up your iPhone for iMessage.

Before using iMessage, be sure to know about these basic facts and requisites:

  • iMessages are sent over to other iOS devices or Macs via cellular data or Wi-Fi.
  • When an iMessage is sent over a cellular data connection, it will be counted against end-user’s data usage.
  • When an iMessage is sent to other non-Apple devices, or to iOS devices with earlier version of iOS, it will be billed as an SMS or MMS message or unless you are subscribed to a message plan.
  • An Apple ID or a valid phone number is a requisite to use iMessage on your iPhone.
  • The color of the Send button and text bubble will determine the type of message you are sending. For iMessage, the colors of the Send button and text bubbles are blue. While the regular SMS/MMS is green for both Send button and text bubbles.
  • A bubble icon is an indication that the recipient is typing a response to your iMessage.
  • When the iMessage was not sent successfully, a red exclamation mark appears next to the iMessage. You can resend the iMessage by tapping the exclamation mark.

After learning the basics on iMessage, you can start by setting up your iPhone XR for iMessage.

How to Set Up iMessage on your iPhone XR

This instant messaging (iMessage) service won’t work unless it’s enable on your iOS device. And here’s how to enable this feature on your iPhone XR:

  1. From the Home screen, go to Settings.
  2. Tap Messages.
  3. Toggle the switch indicator next to “iMessage” to turn the feature on.
  4. Scroll down to and toggle the switch indicator next to “Send as SMS” to turn it off/on. When this function is enabled, the iMessages will be sent via text messages once the service is unavailable.
  5. Slide your finger upward to return to the Home screen.

Now that you have successfully set up iMessage on your iPhone XR, you are now all set to use the service and begin sending iMessages on your device.

How to Send an iMessage from your iPhone XR

Messages are automatically handled and determined by the Messages app based on your phone’s messaging setup and the receiver’s settings, network connection, and carrier plan. A message is considered as an iMessage when it is sent from an Apple to Apple device over Wi-Fi or cellular data, while Apple to non-Apple is either SMS or MMS message. Here is how to send your first iMessage from your iPhone XR:

  1. From the Home screen, tap the Messages app.
  2. To compose a message, select the New Message icon located at the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Tap the + icon to choose a contact, or manually enter a phone number or email address. The message can also be sent to multiple recipients.
  4. Type in your message. Tap the Camera icon to attach photo and video. If you want to send an audio message, tap the Microphone key. If you want to access App attachments to iMessage, tap the App Store icon.
  5. Tap the Send icon to send the message.

Follow the same steps to send your next iMessage to other Apple device users/recipients from your iPhone XR.

How to Send a Group iMessage from your iPhone XR

iMessages are protected by end-to-end encryption and go through Apple instead of end-users carrier. With group iMessage, anyone included in the group is capable of sending and receiving photos, videos, and audio messages, can view all replies from the group, share their locations, add or remove people from the group, mute notifications, and leave the group. Here is how you send a group iMessage:

  1. From the Home screen, tap the Messages app.
  2. Select the New Message icon.
  3. Tap the + icon to add recipients from your contacts. Or you can also manually type in the recipients’ phone numbers/email addresses.
  4. Type in your message with or without attachments, and then tap the Send icon.

When sending MMS message on your iPhone, see to it that MMS messaging is enabled. To do so, just go to Settings-> Messages->MMS Messaging and make sure that the optioned is enabled.

How to Delete an iMessage from your iPhone XR

Either you are trying to free up some storage space from your iPhone’s memory or just want to remove old and unwanted messages from your device, you can refer to these steps to delete iMessages that are no longer useful from your iPhone XR:

  1. From the Home screen, tap the Messages app.
  2. Then, select the desired message from the Messages screen.
  3. Tap More.
  4. Tap Delete to confirm.
  5. To delete all messages, select Delete All.
  6. To delete a message thread, select and drag the desired message to the left. Then, select Delete.

Note: Deleted messages and conversations can only be recovered by restoring them from the backup.

If you want to make use of the iMessage service but still concerned about data usage, you have the option to turn on “Low Quality Image Mode” in the iMessage settings to save data. Otherwise, switch to using Wi-Fi internet instead.

Another advantage of using iMessage is that you won’t be charged international rate when sending messages to your family and friends in other countries who are also iOS users. In addition, a phone number is not needed when using the iMessage on your phone with no cellular data plan. All you need is a valid iCloud email address and a stable Wi-Fi internet connection on your iPhone to get started in making the most of your phone’s cutting-edge messaging feature.

If you’re having trouble using iMessage on your iPhone XR or encounter some errors related to iMessage, feel free refer to the troubleshooting guides we’ve posted on the iPhone XR T/S page.

I hope that we’ve been able to help you fix the problem with your device. We would appreciate it if you helped us spread the word so please share this post if you found it helpful. Thank you so much for reading!

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