How to Message On Your Apple Mac Pro

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

How to Send Messages on Your Apple Mac Pro

Sending messages on your Apple Mac Pro is an essential part of communication, whether you're sending text messages, iMessages, or even multimedia messages. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods and features for sending and managing messages on your Mac Pro.

1. Using the Messages App:

Learn how to access the Messages app on your Mac Pro, either from the Dock or Applications folder.

2. Sending a Text Message:

Send a text message to a contact using their phone number.

Click the compose icon (pencil) in the Messages app, enter the recipient's phone number, type your message, and press Return.

3. Sending an iMessage:

Send an iMessage to a contact with an Apple device using their email address or phone number.

Open a conversation in the Messages app, type your message, and press Return.

4. Sending Multimedia Messages:

Compose multimedia messages by clicking the camera icon to attach photos, videos, documents, or other files to your messages.

Click the microphone icon to record and send voice messages.

5. Managing Conversations:

Organize your message conversations by creating groups or labeling contacts.

Use the sidebar to access your conversation list.

6. Group Messaging:

Create group messages by selecting multiple contacts in a conversation.

Name the group and send messages to multiple people at once.

7. Message Effects:

Add message effects like balloons, confetti, or invisible ink to your messages to make them more engaging.

Click the App Store icon to access additional stickers, apps, and games.

8. Message Search and Organization:

Easily search for specific messages or conversations by using the search bar.

Organize messages by archiving or deleting old conversations.

9. Privacy and Security:

Learn how to enable read receipts, block contacts, or set up two-factor authentication for enhanced message security.

10. Troubleshooting Message Issues:

If you encounter issues with sending or receiving messages, troubleshoot problems like connection issues, notifications, or activation errors.

With this comprehensive guide, you should be proficient in sending and managing messages on your Apple Mac Pro. Whether it's text messages, iMessages, or multimedia messages, the Messages app on your Mac Pro offers a convenient and feature-rich way to communicate with friends and colleagues.

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If you are still having trouble, refer to the Step-By-Step Guide below, or Contact Support.Com for Personalized Assistance.

1. Introduction: MacBookPro: How to Message

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. It also supports several other messaging services that work with Apple and non-Apple devices. iPhone owners can use it for SMS and MMS messages, too.

This guide will go over basic setup and usage for messaging on your MacBook Pro.

2. macOS: Setup Messages

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.

1. Click the Messages app icon within your dock across the bottom of the screen.
   

1. Sign in with your Apple ID. 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. It would also be the same Apple ID you would use if you have an iPhone or iPad.
   

1. To add a third-party messaging service, choose Add Account from the Message menu.
   

1. Then choose an account provider and follow the onscreen instructions from that provider.
   

1. To disable a messaging service or change its settings, choose Preferences from the Messages menu, then click Accounts.
   

3. macOS: Have a Conversation

1. Click compose at the top of the Messages window.
   

1. 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.
2. Type your message in the field at the bottom of the window, then press Return to send it.
3. To include emoji, click the Smiley Face.
   

1. To include an image or other file, just drag or paste it into the message field.
2. To include an audio recording, click the microphone and record your message.
   

1. After starting a conversation, click Details in the corner of the window to take other actions, including:
2. Choose not to be disturbed by notifications about this conversation.
3. Use FaceTime to start an audio call or video call.
   

1. Share your screen.
   

1. See the recipient's location if they're sharing their location with you.
2. Review all of the photos and files that were exchanged in the conversation.
3. 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, you can also use Siri to send, read, and reply to Messages. For example, you can tell Siri:

• "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."

4. macOS: Add a Tapback to Messages

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. Here's how to do it:

1. Control-click a message bubble to open a shortcut menu.
2. Choose Tapback from the menu.
3. 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 iOS 10. Other iMessage users see "Liked" or "Laughed at" or "Emphasized," for example, followed by the text of that message.