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Send and reply to messages on iPad

You can send text messages, images, and much more. You can reply within a conversation or to specific comments in a thread. You can even use Siri to listen and respond to your messages.

To fully use all the features in the Messages app, make sure you set up Messages.

Siri: Ask Siri something like, “Read my last message from Antonio.” Learn how to use Siri.

A Messages conversation list on the left and a conversation transcript on the right. An unread messages is marked with a blue dot.

Start a conversation

You can send a text message to one or more people to start a new conversation.

A Messages conversation list on the left and a conversation transcript on the right. At the top, tapping the contact icon opens conversation details.

  1. Go to the Messages app on your iPad.

  2. Tap the Compose button at the top of the screen.

  3. Tap the To field, then enter the phone number, contact name, or Apple Account of each recipient.

    To choose recipients from your contacts, tap the Add Contact button.

  4. Do any of the following:

  5. Tap the Send button to send.

    If a message can’t be sent, an alert appears. Tap the Send Failure button to try sending the message again.

To return to the conversation list from a conversation, tap the Back button.

If Apple Intelligence* is turned on, you can create custom emoji—called Genmoji. See Create your own emoji with Genmoji.

If you’re having problems, see the Apple Support article If you can’t send or receive messages on your iPhone or iPad.

Reply to a message

Messages are grouped by conversation in the conversation list. A dot indicates you haven’t yet read one or more messages in that conversation.

  1. Go to the Messages app on your iPad.

  2. In the conversation list, tap the conversation that you want to participate in.

  3. Tap the text field, create your message, then tap the Send button to send your message.

If Apple Intelligence* is turned on, you can use it to suggest a reply to a message you receive. See Use Apple Intelligence in Messages.

Tip: Find out when a message was sent to you. Drag the message bubble to the left to see timestamps for all messages in the conversation.

Reply inline to a specific message

You can respond to a specific message inline. An inline reply quotes the message you’re responding to. This keeps a busy conversation organized by clarifying which response relates to which message.

Composing an inline reply in a group conversation in Messages. Another person in the conversation is mentioned, so their name appears in blue, bold text.

  1. Go to the Messages app on your iPad.

  2. In the conversation list, tap the conversation that you want to participate in.

  3. Do one of the following:

    • Swipe right on the message bubble that you want to reply to.

    • Touch and hold the message bubble that you want to reply to, then tap Reply.

  4. Enter your message, then tap the Send button.

    Note: Everyone in a group conversation can see your inline reply. To reply privately, tap the group icon at the top of the conversation, touch and hold the icon of the person you want to message privately, then tap Message.

  5. To return to the main conversation, tap the blurred background.

Touch and hold a message to react with a Tapback, such as a thumbs-up or a heart.

Tip: To copy part of a message, touch and hold the message, tap Select, select the text you want to copy, then tap Copy.

Reply to messages from your Lock Screen

You can reply to messages on your Lock Screen without opening Messages. See Turn on Lock Screen features.

Why are some bubbles blue and others green?

If a message can be sent using iMessage, you see a blue Send arrow the Send button, and the message appears in a blue bubble.

If you can’t use iMessage (which happens, for example, when a recipient isn’t using an Apple device), you can use SMS, MMS, or RCS. Messages sent with SMS, MMS, or RCS appear in green bubbles.

For more information, see the Apple Support article What is the difference between iMessage, RCS, and SMS/MMS?

Note: Content may not appear as expected when you send messages to recipients who are using non-Apple devices.

Use Live Translation

If Apple Intelligence* is turned on, you can use it to automatically translate text in Messages. See Translate messages and calls.

*Apple Intelligence is available in beta with support for the following languages: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all languages or regions. For more information on language and feature availability and system requirements, see the Apple Support article How to get Apple Intelligence.
See alsoUnsend and edit messages on iPadHave a group conversation in Messages on iPadCollaborate on projects with Messages on iPad
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