Mar 10, 2020 iMessage could get even better later this year. IMessage on macOS is a new Catalyst version of the Messages app, ported over from iOS. It easier for Apple to bring Messages for Mac in. May 26, 2020 In addition to iMessage apps, Apple Pay and message effects, we could see support for stickers, GIFs and more. Messages on the desktop also might become much easier to use.
Better Imessage App For Mac Download
With Messages for Mac, you can send unlimited messages to any Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that uses iMessage, Apple's secure-messaging service. iPhone owners can use it for SMS and MMS messages, too.
Set up iMessage
iMessage is the Apple messaging service you get automatically with your Apple ID.If it's not already set up, you're asked to sign in when you first open the Messages app. Sign in with same Apple ID that you use with Messages on your iPhone and other devices. It's usually the same Apple ID that you use for iCloud, the iTunes Store, the App Store, and the account you created when you first set up your Mac.
Have a conversation
- Click at the top of the Messages window.
- Address your message by typing the recipient's name, email address, or phone number. Or click and choose a recipient. If they're in your Contacts app, Messages finds them as you type. To start a group conversation, just add more recipients.
- Type your message in the field at the bottom of the window, then press Return to send it.
- To include emoji, click.
- To include an image or other file, just drag or paste it into the message field. Or use Continuity Camera to capture a photo or scan directly from your iPhone or iPad camera.
- To include an audio recording, clickand record your message.
- After starting a conversation, click Details in the corner of the window to take other actions, including:
- Choose not to be disturbed by notifications about this conversation.
- Use FaceTime to start an audio call or video call .
- Share a screen .
- See the recipient's location—if they're sharing their location with you.
- Review all of the photos and files that were exchanged in the conversation.
- Add a group name, add members to a group, or leave a group. If the group has four or more members, you can remove members: Control-click the member's name, then choose Remove from Conversation.
With macOS Sierra or later, you can also use Siri to send, read, and reply to Messages:
- ”Send a message to Susan and Johnny saying I'll be late' or ”Tell Johnny Appleseed the show is about to start” or ”Text a message to 408 555 1212.”
- ”Read the last message from Brian Park” or ”Read my new messages.”
- ”Reply that's great news” or ”Tell him I'll be there in 10 minutes.”
Add a Tapback to a message
macOS Sierra introduces Tapback to the Mac. A Tapback is a quick response that expresses what you think about a message, such as that you like it or think it's funny. In the image above, the heart next to ”See you then!' is a Tapback. Here's how to do it:
- Control-click a message bubble to open a shortcut menu.
- Choose Tapback from the menu.
- Click a Tapback to add it to the message bubble.
Your Tapback is visible to everyone in the conversation who is using iMessage with macOS Sierra or later or iOS 10 or later. Other iMessage users see 'Liked' or 'Laughed at' or 'Emphasized,' for example, followed by the text of that message.
iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch also have Tapback, as well as other message effects available only on those devices. Most such affects look the same on your Mac when you receive them. Others appear as a description of the effect, such as ”(sent with Loud Effect).”
Send text messages to anyone from your Mac
If you have an iPhone with a text messaging plan, learn how to set up text message forwarding so you can send and receive SMS and MMS messages from your Mac.
Delete a message or conversation
When you permanently delete a message or conversation, you can't get it back. So make sure that you save important information from your messages.
To delete a message:
- Open a message conversation.
- Control-click the blank area of a message bubble that you want to delete.
- Choose Delete.
- Click Delete.
To delete a conversation:
- Control-click a conversation.
- Choose Delete Conversation.
- Click Delete.
Learn more
- To learn more about Messages, choose Messages Help from the Help menu in Messages.
- If you get an error when trying to sign in to iMessage, learn what to do.
FaceTime is not available in all countries or regions.
Messages on macOS lets you communicate with friends, family, and coworkers across a variety of different platforms, including Apple's own iMessage, along with SMS and services from Google, Yahoo, and AOL. But if you're new to the Mac or have just never set up Messages, you might be wondering how to get started with the app.
Follow these simple steps, and you'll be chatting with your friends in no time at all.
How to set up Messages on the Mac
- Launch Messages from your desktop, dock, or Applications folder.
- Enter your Apple ID email address and password. If you have two-step or two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID, enter your verification code.
Click on Messages in the Menu bar
Source: iMore
- Click Preferences.
Click Accounts tab.
Source: iMore
- Select the phone number and email addresses at which you would like to be reached.
Choose which phone number or email address people will see when you start a new conversation.
Source: iMore
How to set up Messages in iCloud in macOS
Messages in iCloud keeps both your iMessages and standard SMS in sync between your Mac and your iOS devices, and also lets you download your messages when you set up a brand new device.
- Open Messages from your Dock or Applications folder.
Click Messages in the Menu bar.
Source: iMore
Click Preferences.
Click the Accounts tab.
Source: iMore
Click on your iMessage account.
Click the checkbox next to Enable Messages on iCloud.
Source: iMore
Click the Sync Now button to sync immediately.
Source: iMore
And that's how you turn on iMessage sync.
How to set up Messages in iCloud in iOS
To fully take advantage of Messages in iCloud, you'll need to turn it on for any iOS or iPadOS devices you own.
Questions?
Let us know in the comments below!
Update June 2020: Updated for the latest macOS.
Best Imessage Apps
macOS Catalina
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