How To Send And Receive Text Messages On A Mac

Several apps for iPhone and iPad with some updates have made it to the Mac OS as well in the recent past. Some of these apps include Maps, Messages, Notes, Photos, and iBooks. Amongst all, the Messages app has been one of the greatest updates so far as it lets you send and receive text messages on a Mac system without even taking out your phone. If you are busy over something on your Mac OS system and have no time to access your smartphone, then this feature comes a handy. You can reply to some important message through SMS message or even iMessage by sending or receiving messages through your Mac system itself.

In fact, there are two types of messages that you can send and receive on a Mac system. Normal text or SMS messages are routed through your iPhone. On the other hand, the iMessage is usually sent through the servers of Apple. If you wish to know how to send and receive text messages on a Mac, then read this article.

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Ways to Send And Receive Text Messages On A Mac

Sending Texts from the Mac OS

If you wish to send text messages from a Mac OS system, then here are some simple steps to do the same:

Step 1: Click on the Messages icon in the given messaging dock of your Mac OS. You can search for the same by pressing cmd+space-bar. Then, you just need to start typing the message.

Step 2: Now, you need to sign in using your Apple ID that has been linked to your iPhone.

Step 3: Click on the new message icon to start typing a new message. This appears as a square icon just beside the Search field.

Step 4: Now, you have to enter the number or name of the person to whom you wish to send the message. For this, take the cursor to the “To” field. Here, you can enter the number, email address, or even name. Then, press Enter.

Step 5: In case you have synced the Contacts of your iPhone with the Mac, then you can simply click the “+” icon to fill the list of “To” field directly from your Contacts.

Step 6: If your receiver has an iPhone, then the number would appear within a blue box. This implies that they would receive your message like an iMessage through the Apple’s servers.

Step 7: If the desired recipient is able to receive your text message, then simply start typing the message in the message field. Once you are finished, you can press return for sending it.

After you have logged in the Messages app with your Apple ID, then you can also receive the text messages on your Mac as sent by people using iPhone. These text messages would appear on your Mac OS as well as on your iPhone device.

Sending Text Messages to a Non-iPhone User from Your Mac

In case the recipient has another smartphone model (other than iPhone), then the contact box would display a red tone. When you would try sending them messages through your Mac, you will receive an alert saying the message was not sent. This doesn’t imply that you cannot send them text messages. For doing so, you have to set up the Mac OS such that it can send messages to non-iPhone users as well. Here are the steps to do the same:

Step 1: Ensure your connection to the iCloud on the Mac as well as iPhone using the same Apple ID.

Step 2: On your Mac system, head to System Preferences > iCloud. Here, sign in using your Apple ID.

Step 3: On your iPhone, go to Settings > iCloud to ensure that the Apple account ID that you are using on the Mac OS is the same.

Step 4: Open the Messages app on your Mac system.

Step 5: Head to Settings > Messages on your iPhone. Now, click on the option Text Messages Forwarding.

How To Send And Receive Text Messages On A Mac

Step 6: You will your Mac system listed there. There is also an on/off slider just beside the listing. For allowing your Mac OS to send and receive messages, you need to toggle the slider such that it turns green.

Step 7: You will receive a message indicating to enter the code as shown on the Mac screen. This would allow the iPhone text messages to be sent and received on the Mac system as well. Click on that number and wait for the device verification.

Step 8: Now, you can add the non-iPhone number of the desired recipient. This would gain the green box on the “To” field. Now, you can send the text messages to any number even if the recipient doesn’t have an iPhone.

By doing so, the recipient would receive a normal text message which has been routed through your iPhone. Therefore, this message would be allocated towards the text message allowance as per the smartphone contract. The best thing about this conversation of the text message will not be restricted only to your Mac system. you can view them on your iPhone as well.

Receiving Text Messages on a Mac

For receiving text messages (from some non-iPhone device) on the Mac OS, you have to set up both your Mac as well as your iPhone as per the steps mentioned above. This will enable you to receive text messages on your Mac OS with much ease.

Therefore, by following the series of simple steps, you can send and receive text messages on a Mac easily and in a hassle-free manner.

Read also- How To Change Icons On A Mac

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