14 iMessage Tricks You Were Too Embarrassed to Ask

We all may be hopelessly addicted to our iPhones, but that doesn't mean we fully know how to use them. Chances are, you could use some texting tips and tricks to make life easier. Whether you're a seasoned iPhone user with a few questions or you're just very late to the smartphone game (Hi, Mom!), these tips will help you make the most out of your iMessages.

Additional reporting by Margaret Cullum

01
How Do I Enable and Disable Read Receipts?
Nicole Nguyen

How Do I Enable and Disable Read Receipts?

Enabling read receipts means that the person you text can see when you've read their text message. This, obviously, has pros (transparency) and cons (you look like a jerk for not responding right away).

Open the Settings app, select Messages, and slide to enable or disable Send Read Receipts. Once it is enabled, the receipt will say "Read [time here]" beneath your latest text.

02
How Do I Write a Tex Message in All Caps?
Nicole Nguyen

How Do I Write a Tex Message in All Caps?

When the keyboard is open, double tap the shift key to turn it into the caps lock key. YOU'RE WELCOME.

03
How Can I Send Text Messages From My Mac Computer?
Margaret Cullum

How Can I Send Text Messages From My Mac Computer?

Messages for Mac comes with OS X Mountain Lion (version 10.8) and up. It's basically the best way to send texts from school or work without looking down at your phone all. the. time.

Apple has a great tutorial on how to set up Messages with your Apple ID. Essentially you'll need to sign in with your Apple ID on both your computer and mobile device. Then you'll need to open the Settings app, select Messages, and enable iMessage on your iPhone. Tap on where it says Send & Receive, and make sure the correct Apple ID and phone number is associated with your device.

Where it says "Start New Conversations From," you may want to select your phone number. Or else when you text people, your Apple ID email address would show up instead, which would be weird.

04
How Do I Share My Location in a Text Message?
Margaret Cullum

How Do I Share My Location in a Text Message?

To send your current location, tap on the person's name at the top of the message, then click the "info" button on the right to expand the message details. Click "Send My Current Location" at the top, and it will send a map with a pin at your exact location. The recipient can click on your location to open it in Apple Maps, and it automatically offers directions to get there from wherever they are.

05
How Can I Block an Annoying Texter?
Margaret Cullum

How Can I Block an Annoying Texter?

If a salesperson, frenemy, or a random Craigslist patron keeps texting you, block them. To block someone's number on an iPhone, go to their contact page and scroll down. Click "Block this Caller" at the very bottom, then click "Block Contact." They will no longer be able to text, call, or FaceTime you.

06
What Do I Do If My iMessages Are Not Going Through?
Nicole Nguyen

What Do I Do If My iMessages Are Not Going Through?

Is iMessage working? Or is he just not that into you? If you're having trouble sending or receiving messages, your iMessage may have stopped working. Check Apple's System Status to make sure iMessage isn't down. If iMessage isn't down and it's just your phone, first try turning iMessage off and on again. Go to Settings then Messages and click the green button to disable iMessage. Click it again to turn it back on. If that doesn't work, reset the network settings. Go to Settings then General, and scroll to the bottom and click Reset and Reset Network Settings.

07
How Do I Delete a Text Message?
Nicole Nguyen

How Do I Delete a Text Message?

In a text message thread, press and hold your thumb on an individual text. A menu bubble will pop up. Press "More..." and you'll then be able to select one or more texts. Tap the trash can at the bottom left when you're ready to delete.

08
How Do I Get the Emoji Keyboard on My Phone?
Nicole Nguyen

How Do I Get the Emoji Keyboard on My Phone?

Open the Settings app, and then select General. Scroll down to Keyboard, and tap where it says Keyboards. Then Add New Keyboard and select Emoji.

Now when you're sending an email or texting, tap the little world icon on the bottom left of your keyboard (left of the spacebar) to access emoji icons. Voilà! Now, try your hand at some unexpected uses for emoji.

09
How Do I Know If I'm Sending an iMessage?
Margaret Cullum

How Do I Know If I'm Sending an iMessage?

iMessage is exclusive to iPhone users. It's great because you won't use up your texts (if your plan has limited texts) since it uses Internet instead of your carrier network. You can group chat, you can tell when the message has been delivered, and you can send multimedia like video, images, and GIFs easily.

It's helpful to know when you're not using iMessage, so you can keep a close eye on your SMS limits. In a thread, if you see green bubbles, that means you are not using iMessage and texting someone who has disabled iMessages or uses an Android or Windows Phone device.

10
How Do I Force My Phone to Send an SMS Message Instead of an iMessage?
Nicole Nguyen

How Do I Force My Phone to Send an SMS Message Instead of an iMessage?

If an iMessage is not going through, a red exclamation point will appear. Tap that exclamation point and select "Send as Text Message."

11
How Do I Use Accents in a Text Message?
Nicole Nguyen

How Do I Use Accents in a Text Message?

If you're feeling fancy, you can press and hold each letter to reveal every accent available to that letter!

12
How Do I See When a Text Message Was Sent?
Nicole Nguyen

How Do I See When a Text Message Was Sent?

In a text message thread, swipe your finger to the left — anywhere on the screen — to see timestamps for each text on the right.

13
How Do I Set Up Keyboard Shortcuts?
Nicole Nguyen

How Do I Set Up Keyboard Shortcuts?

Keyboard shortcuts are awesome for phrases you text all the time like, "On my way" or "I'm late."

Set them up in the Settings section, then tap on Keyboard. Scroll to the bottom and tap Add New Shortcut to set up your own. Now every time you type "omw" (for example) it will automatically correct to, "On my way!"

14
How Do I Easily Move the Cursor in a Text Message?
Margaret Cullum

How Do I Easily Move the Cursor in a Text Message?

If you want to move the cursor but have a hard time clicking on the right spot, hold down the space bar and drag your finger in the direction you want it to go. This lets you navigate the cursor with more control, and you won't cover up any words with your finger.

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