The simplest way to switch to iMessage
iMessage is Apple's encrypted messaging service that works over Wi-Fi or data instead of your phone's text message plan. To start using it, turn on iMessage in your Settings app on iPhone or in Messages preferences on Mac — that's usually all you need to do. Once it's on, your iPhone or Mac will automatically send messages to other Apple users through iMessage (shown in blue) and fall back to regular text messages (shown in green) for non-Apple phones.
The switch happens in the background. You don't choose message by message. Your device looks at who you're texting and picks the right service automatically. If someone has an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, iMessage kicks in. If they have an Android phone or older device, you'll send a regular text instead.
This matters because iMessage messages are encrypted end-to-end, meaning Apple can't read them. Text messages sent through your carrier are not encrypted the same way. iMessage also lets you see when someone is typing, know when your message was delivered, and use features like message reactions and high-quality photo sharing.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on iMessage in Settings on iPhone or in Messages preferences on Mac, and it will automatically use iMessage for Apple users and text messages for everyone else.
- iMessage requires Wi-Fi or cellular data, while text messages work on any phone plan, so you'll fall back to texts if you lose connection.
- Messages to Apple users appear in blue (iMessage) and messages to non-Apple users appear in green (text), so you can see which service is being used.
- If you switch from iPhone to Android, you must turn off iMessage on your Apple account or Android users won't receive your messages.
How to turn on iMessage on iPhone
Open the Settings app and tap Messages. Look for the toggle next to "iMessage" and turn it on. Your phone will connect to Apple's servers using your Apple ID, which is the account you use for the App Store or iCloud. This takes a few seconds.
If you see a message saying "Waiting for activation," your phone is still connecting. This usually finishes within a minute. If it stays stuck, try turning the toggle off and back on, or restart your phone. Once it's on, the toggle will be green and you're ready to send iMessages.
You can also choose which phone number or email address other people use to reach you via iMessage. In the same Messages settings, tap "Send & Receive" and check the boxes next to the phone number and email addresses you want to use. Other people will see whichever one you've listed in their contacts for you.
How to turn on iMessage on Mac
Open the Messages app and click Messages in the menu bar at the top, then Preferences. Click the Accounts tab. If you don't see your Apple ID listed, click the plus sign to add it. Enter your Apple ID and password, then click Sign In.
Once you're signed in, check the box next to "Enable this account." You'll see options for which phone number and email address to use — check the ones you want. Close the preferences window and you're done. Messages will now use iMessage for Apple users automatically.
Why messages appear in blue or green
Blue means iMessage. Green means a regular text message sent through your carrier. This color difference is built into Apple's Messages app so you can see at a glance which service is being used. It also tells you something about encryption: blue messages are encrypted end-to-end, green messages are not.
If you're texting someone with an iPhone and the message appears green instead of blue, it usually means one of three things: they have iMessage turned off, they're not connected to Wi-Fi or data, or their Apple ID isn't set up correctly in Messages. You can still send them text messages, but you won't get the iMessage features like typing indicators or read receipts.
What happens if you switch to Android
If you leave iPhone and move to Android, you must turn off iMessage on your Apple account before you start using your Android phone. If you don't, text messages from iPhone users will be sent as iMessages to Apple's servers instead of as text messages to your Android phone, and you won't receive them.
To turn off iMessage, go to Settings > Messages on your iPhone and toggle iMessage off. You can also visit Apple's account page at iforgot.apple.com, sign in, and look for the option to deregister your phone number from iMessage. Do this before you sell or give away your iPhone, or before you switch your phone number to Android.
If you've already switched and missed messages, ask your contacts to send you a text message instead of an iMessage. You can also tell them to remove you from their contacts and add you back — this sometimes forces their phone to try text instead of iMessage.
iMessage vs. text messages: what's different
iMessage uses your internet connection, so you need Wi-Fi or cellular data to send and receive messages. Text messages use your phone plan and work even without data. If you're in an area with no Wi-Fi and no cell signal, iMessage won't send, but a text message might.
iMessage messages are encrypted end-to-end, meaning only you and the person you're texting can read them. Apple cannot read iMessages. Text messages sent through your carrier are not encrypted the same way — your carrier can see them, and so can law enforcement with a warrant. iMessage also includes features like typing indicators (you see when someone is typing), read receipts (you see when they've read your message), and the ability to react to messages with emoji.
Text messages have a 160-character limit per message, though most phones automatically split longer messages into multiple texts. iMessage has no character limit. iMessage also sends photos and videos at higher quality than text messages, which compress them to save data.
Troubleshooting iMessage problems
If iMessage won't turn on, first check that you're signed in with your Apple ID. Go to Settings > [Your Name] on iPhone and make sure you're logged in. Then go back to Settings > Messages and try turning iMessage on again. If it still says "Waiting for activation," restart your phone and try once more.
If you're signed in but iMessage still won't activate, check your internet connection. iMessage needs Wi-Fi or cellular data to connect to Apple's servers. Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or moving to an area with cell signal. If that doesn't work, sign out of your Apple ID in Settings > [Your Name], restart your phone, and sign back in.
If messages to a specific person are coming through as green instead of blue, ask them to check that iMessage is turned on and that they're connected to Wi-Fi or data. You can also try deleting the conversation and starting a new one. If the problem persists, it usually means their iMessage account isn't set up correctly on their device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use iMessage or can I stick with text messages?
You can turn off iMessage and use only text messages if you prefer. Go to Settings > Messages and toggle iMessage off. Your phone will send regular text messages to everyone. This uses your phone plan's text message allowance instead of data, and works on any phone you switch to without extra steps.
Will I be charged for iMessage?
No. iMessage is free and uses your Wi-Fi or cellular data plan. You won't see separate charges for iMessages on your phone bill. Text messages may count against your plan's text message limit if you have one, but most modern plans include unlimited texts.
Can Android users see iMessage features like typing indicators?
No. When you text an Android user, the message automatically sends as a regular text message, and you won't see typing indicators or read receipts. These features only work between Apple devices using iMessage. Android users will receive your messages, but through the text message system instead.
What if someone texts me but I have iMessage turned off?
You'll still receive text messages normally. Turning off iMessage doesn't affect your ability to receive texts. People texting you will just send regular text messages instead of iMessages, and you'll receive them the same way you always have.
Can I use iMessage on my iPad or Mac if I don't have an iPhone?
Yes. You can turn on iMessage on Mac or iPad using your Apple ID. You'll need to set up Messages on that device and sign in with the same Apple ID you use for other Apple services. You can send and receive iMessages from that device even if you don't own an iPhone.