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Despite the availability of a number of viable options, iMessage remains my top bet to communicate with people who are using the Apple ecosystem. Apart from being feature-rich, the messaging app is undoubtedly most secure. If you have switched to macOS, you would be (most probably) excited to set up iMessage on your Mac to start freewheeling conversations with your friends.
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Getting started with the Messages app for macOS is as upfront as it can ever get. All you have to do is just sign in and choose the email ID and phone number you wish to use.
How to Set Up iMessage on Mac
When you first open the Messages app, it asks you to login using your Apple ID. To have a seamless experience, you can sign in using the same ID that you use on your other devices.
Step #1. Launch the Messages app on your Mac and sign in using your Apple ID and password.
Note: if you have enabled two-step or two-factor authentication for your Apple ID, enter your verification code.
Step #2. Now, click on Messages in the Menu bar and choose Preferences.
Step #3. Next, click Accounts tab and then choose the phone number and email addresses you want to be reached at.
Once you have signed in, you can start chatting with your friends.
How to Start a Conversation in Messages App on Mac
Step #1. Open the Messages app on your Mac.
Step #2. Now, type in the message in the field at the bottom of the window.
Step #3. If you want to include emoji, click on the emoji button and select a cool one.
To include an image or another file, you need to drag or paste it into the message field.
If you wish to add the audio recording, click on the microphone button and then record your message.
Step #4. Once you are done, hit the return button to send the message.
With macOS Sierra, you can add Tapback to your message. Basically, it’s a quick response that allows you to express your feedback. Keep reading:
I Messages App
How to Add a Tapback to an iMessage on Mac
Step #1. Open the Messages app and open a conversation.
Step #2. Now, you have to control-click a message bubble to open a shortcut menu and select Tapback from the menu.
Step #3. Next, choose a click a Tapback to add it to the message bubble.
Your Tapback will be visible to everyone in the conversation who is using iMessage with macOS Sierra or iOS 10.
Don’t want to be disturbed by the notifications about a particular conversation? No problem, you have the option to turn off DND for a specific chat.
How to Enable Do Not Disturb for Individual iMessage Conversation on Mac
Step #1. Open Messages on your Mac and head over to the conversation in question.
Step #2. Click on Details at the top right corner and then check the box for Do Not Disturb.
Going forward, you won’t be disturbed by the incoming conversations.
How to Start FaceTime Video or Audio Call from iMessage on Mac
While chatting with your friends, you can start a video or audio call using FaceTime right from within the app.
Step #1. Open Messages app on your Mac → Individual conversation → Details at the top right.
Step #2. Now, select audio call or video call to begin the conversation.
How to Share Your Screen right from iMessage on Mac
Step #1. Launch Messages app on your Mac → Individual conversation → Details at the top right.
Step #2. Now, select .
No longer want others to know whether or not you have read their message. You have the option to disable read receipts for specific conversations for more privacy.
How to Disable Read Receipts for Individual Conversation in Messages App on Mac
Step #1. Launch Messages app on your Mac → Individual conversation → Details at the top right.
Step #2. Now, uncheck the box next to Send Read Receipts.
If you ever want to re-enable read receipts, follow the same steps and check the box in the end.
How to Delete an iMessage bubble on Mac
Step #1. Open Messages and go to the conversation.
Step #2. Now, you need to control-click the blank area of a message bubble that you wish to delete and select Delete.
Step #3. Click on Delete to confirm.
How to Delete an iMessage Conversation on Mac
Step #1. Open the Messages app on your Mac and then control-click a conversation.
Step #2. Now, select Delete Conversation and confirm.
How to Sync Messages with iCloud
With macOS High Sierra and iOS 11, you can sync your messages with iCloud. Jump over to this guide to know more.
That’s pretty much it!
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The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
In case you are not using it, consider using the Messages App on your Mac to communicate with your friends, relatives and business contacts. Using the Messages App on Mac provides you with certain advantages as discussed below.
Setup and Use Messages App on Mac
Just like your iPhone, the Messages App on Mac also allows you to send and receive unlimited number of free iMessages from all your Contacts using Apple Devices.
In addition to iMessage, the Mac Messages App can be configured to use carrier supported SMS Messaging and other popular messaging services like Outlook, Gmail and others.
The main advantage of using the Messages app on Mac is that you can be faster and more accurate while sending Messages, compared to sending Messages using the limited screen and virtual keyboard of an iPhone.
Also, it is really easy to search for and attach files and images to Messages sent from a Mac.
Setup iMessage Service on Mac
Follow the steps below to setup iMessage service on your Mac, in case you had missed setting up iMessage during the setup process of your Mac or want to confirm whether or not iMessage has been properly setup on your Mac.
1. Open the Messages app on your Mac by clicking on the Messages icon in the Dock of your Mac.
2. You will be prompted to sign-in using your Apple ID Email Address and Password (See image below)
Note: You may be asked to enter your verification code, in case you have enabled two-step authentication for your Apple ID
3. Next, click on the Messages tab in the top-Menu bar of your Mac and then click on Preferences option in the drop-down menu.
4. On the Preferences screen, click on the Accounts tab and make sure that the Email Address listed under “You can be reached for Messages at” is the same as your Apple ID Email Address (See image below)
New Message App For Macbook
This means that you are all setup to send and receive iMessages using your Apple ID. The advantage of using Apple ID Email Address with the Messages App on your Mac is that it allows you to access Messages on any Apple device linked to the same Apple ID.
How to Send iMessages From Mac
Sending an iMessage from your Mac is as easy as sending it from an iPhone.
1. Open the Messages App on your Mac
2. Next, click on the New Message icon to start a New iMessage on your Mac (See image below).
3. On the New Message window, you can either type your recipient’s Name, Email address, or phone number in the “To” field Or click on the +Plus icon and choose recipients from your Contacts List.
4. Next, type your Message and press the Return key on the keyboard of your Mac to send this Message.
5. You can include Emojis in your Message by clicking on the Emoji button (See image in step 2 above).
6. Adding Photos, Images and Files to your iMessage is also easy. You can simply Paste the image or drag it to the iMessage window.
Add Emails To Messages App on Mac
In addition to iMessage, the Messages App on your Mac supports most third party Messaging services like Outlook, Gmail, Hotmail and others. In order to use these services, you will need to add them to the Messages App on your Mac.
1. Open the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Next, click on the Messages tab in the top-Menu bar of your Mac and then click on Preferences option in the drop-down menu.
3. On the Preferences screen, click on the Accounts tab. Next, click on Add Email button and enter the new Email Address that you would like to associate with the Messages App on your Mac (See image below).
Similarly, you can add other Email Addresses to the Messages app on your Mac. This will enable you to check all your Email Accounts from within the Messages App on your Mac and use any Email Accounts to send Messages from Mac.
Setup SMS Messaging on Mac
In case you have an iPhone with an active Cellular plan, you can Setup the Messages App on your Mac to Send and Receive carrier supported SMS and MMS Messages from your Mac.
1. Open the Messages App by clicking on the Messages icon in the Dock of your Mac.
Leave the Messages App open on your Mac, so that it can receive a security code generated during the next steps.
Message App For Mac
2. Now, go to your iPhone and tap on Settings.
3. On the Settings screen, tap on Messages (See image below)
4. On the Messages screen, tap on Text Message Forwarding.
5. On the next screen, enable your Mac to send and receive text messages using your iPhone (See image below).
App For Apple Messages On My Computer
6. You will see a pop-up, prompting you to enter a six-digit verification code from your Mac (See image below).
7. Go to your Mac and you will see the six digit verification code waiting in the Messages App.
8. Enter the verification code into pop-up on iPhone and tap on Allow.
After this you will be able to send Carrier supported SMS and MMS Messages from your Mac using the Cellular Plan of your iPhone.