How To Use Messages On iPad Mini
Learn how to use Messages on your iPad Mini.
How to send and receive messages on iPad
Using the Messages app and the built-in iMessage service, you can send unlimited text messages over Wi-Fi or cellular data connections to other iOS and OS X Mountain Lion users. Messages can include photos, videos, and other info. You can see when other people are typing, and notify them when youve read their messages. iMessages are displayed on all of your iOS devices logged in to the same account, so you can start a conversation on one of your devices, and continue it on another device. iMessages are encrypted for security.
Note: Cellular data charges may apply.
- Start a text conversation: Tap compose icon, then tap and choose a contact, search your contacts by entering a name, or enter a phone number or email address manually. Enter a message, then tap Send.
Note: An alert red color exclamatory appears if a message cant be sent. Tap the alert for more info or to try to send the message again.
- Resume a conversation: Tap the conversation in the Messages list.
- Hide the keyboard: Tap keyboard icon in the lower-right corner.
- Use picture characters: Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard, and then tap Emoji to make that keyboard available. Then while typing a message, tap Emoji keyboard globe icon to bring up the Emoji keyboard.
- See a persons contact info: Tap contact icon. Scroll to the bottom of the Info pane to see actions you can perform, such as making a FaceTime call.
- See earlier messages in the conversation: Scroll to the top (tap the status bar). Tap Load Earlier Messages, if needed.
- Send messages to a group: Tap compose icon, and then enter multiple recipients.
How to manage conversations on iPad
Conversations are saved in the Messages list. A blue dot indicates unread messages. Tap a conversation to view or continue it.
- Forward a conversation: Select the conversation, tap right curved arrow share icon, select parts to include, then tap Forward.
- Edit a conversation: Select the conversation, tap right curved arrow share icon, select parts to include, and then tap Delete. To clear all text and attachments without deleting the conversation, tap Clear All.
- Delete a conversation: In the Messages list, swipe the conversation, and then tap Delete.
- Search a conversation: Scroll to the top of the Messages list to reveal the search field, and then enter your search. You can also search conversations from the Home screen. See How to use searching.
- Add someone to your contacts list, or share a contact: Tap a phone number or email address in the Messages list, then tap Add to Contacts.
How to send photos, videos, and more on iPad
You can send photos, videos, locations, contact info, and voice memos. The size limit of attachments is determined by your service provideriPad may compress photo and video attachments when needed
- Send a photo or video: Tap Camera icon.
- Send a location: In Maps, tap for a location, tap Share Location, and then tap Message.
- Send contact info: In Contacts, choose a contact, tap Share Contact (below Notes), then tap Message.
- Save a photo or video you receive to your Camera Roll album: Tap the photo or video, tap right curved arrow Share icon, then tap Save Image.
- Copy a photo or video: Touch and hold the attachment, then tap Copy.
- Save contact info you receive: Tap the contact bubble, and then tap Create New Contact or Add to Existing Contact.
- Add someone to your contacts from the Messages list: Tap the phone number or email address, then tap Add to Contacts.
Messages settings on iPad
- Go to Settings > Messages to set options for Messages, including:
- Turning iMessage on or off
- Notifying others when youve read their messages
- Specifying a phone number, Apple ID, or email address to use with Messages
- Showing the Subject field
- Manage notifications for messages
- Set the alert sound for incoming text messages
Note: This article will work on all iPads using iOS 6; including iPad Mini, iPad 2, The New iPad (iPad 3), iPad 4 (iPad with Retina display).