Enabling iMessages on your iPhone 12 is a breeze. It’s just a matter of a few taps, and you’ll be sending and receiving messages in no time. Essentially, you need to head over to your settings, find the messages section, and switch on the iMessage toggle. Simple as that! Ready to dive in and get those messages flowing?
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Enable iMessages on iPhone 12
Before we jump into the steps, let’s talk about what enabling iMessages will do for you. iMessage is Apple’s messaging service that allows you to send texts, photos, videos, and even voice messages over Wi-Fi or cellular data to other Apple devices. It’s different from regular SMS texts and has a lot of cool features, like read receipts and animated effects. Now, let’s get those iMessages turned on.
Step 1: Open Settings
Open the Settings app on your iPhone 12.
The Settings icon usually looks like a gear and is found on your home screen. Tapping this will open up the vast world of options and adjustments you can make to your phone.
Step 2: Scroll to Messages
Scroll down in the Settings menu until you find the option labeled “Messages.”
This is where you control all the settings related to messaging on your iPhone, not just iMessages, so it’s a good place to get familiar with.
Step 3: Toggle iMessage On
Find the iMessage switch and toggle it to the ‘on’ position. It will turn green when it’s enabled.
This is the main event. By switching this on, you’re telling your iPhone that you want to use iMessage to send and receive messages.
After completing these steps, iMessage will activate, which could take a few moments. Once it’s on, you’ll be able to start sending messages right away to anyone else with an Apple device. Remember, iMessages only work between Apple devices, so if your friend has an Android, you’ll still be sending regular text messages to them.
Tips for Enabling iMessages on iPhone 12
- Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi or have cellular data enabled to activate iMessage.
- If you have trouble activating iMessage, try restarting your iPhone and then attempting to enable iMessage again.
- Verify that your Apple ID is correctly set up on your iPhone, as iMessage uses your Apple ID to send messages.
- You can customize iMessage by going into the “Send & Receive” option in the Messages settings. Here, you can add an email address or change which number iMessage sends from.
- If you want to send messages from your Mac or iPad as well, make sure you log in with the same Apple ID and enable iMessage on those devices too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if iMessage is activated?
Once iMessage is activated, the switch in the Settings will be green. You’ll also see a confirmation message below the switch that says “iMessage is now on.”
Can I use iMessage with my phone number or do I need an email address?
You can use iMessage with your phone number, an email address, or both. You can set this up in the “Send & Receive” option in the Messages settings.
Will enabling iMessage cost me anything?
iMessage uses Wi-Fi or cellular data, so if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, it could use your data plan. However, there are no additional charges from Apple to use iMessage.
Can I send iMessages to non-Apple devices?
No, iMessage only works between Apple devices. Messages sent to non-Apple devices will be sent as regular SMS texts.
What if I change my mind and want to turn off iMessage?
You can turn off iMessage at any time by going back to the Messages settings and toggling the iMessage switch off.
Summary
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down to Messages.
- Toggle iMessage to ‘on’.
Conclusion
Enabling iMessages on your iPhone 12 is a quick and painless process that opens up a world of communication possibilities. With iMessage, you can enjoy a richer messaging experience, complete with read receipts, typing indicators, and all sorts of fun animations. It’s a great way to stay connected with other Apple users, and best of all, it’s free to use over Wi-Fi.
If you’re new to the iPhone or haven’t used iMessage before, give it a try. You might find it’s your new favorite way to chat with friends and family. And hey, if you ever run into trouble or have more questions, Apple’s support site is filled with helpful guides and FAQs to get you back on track. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and enable iMessages on your iPhone 12 and start messaging away!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.