Computers, Laptops & Tablets Apple How to Set Up iMessage on the iPad Text your friends on your Apple tablet by Daniel Nations Writer Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, The Spruce, and other publications. our editorial process Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Daniel Nations Updated on February 03, 2021 reviewed by Christine Baker Lifewire Tech Review Board Member Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design. our review board Article reviewed on Jul 12, 2020 Christine Baker Tweet Share Email Apple iPad Macs What to Know To set up, go to Settings > Messages > enable iMessage > Send & Receive > select phone number or email address.Tap the A to send animated GIFs, music, or stickers. This article explains how to set up iMessage on the iPad. Instructions apply to devices running iOS 8.1 and later. How to Set Up iMessage To set up iMessage on iPad, you'll need to make a few changes in the Settings app. Here's how to do it. First, go to the iPad's Settings by tapping the icon that looks like gears turning. Lifewire Scroll down the left-side menu until you locate Messages. Lifewire iMessage should be on (green) by default, but if the on/off slider next to it is set to off, tap the slider to turn iMessage back on. You may need to log in with your Apple ID at this point. Lifewire Next, you will want to configure how you can be reached on iMessage. Tap the heading that reads Send & Receive just below the "Send Read Receipts" setting. Lifewire The next screen will let you set up the addresses people can contact you at using iMessage. If you have an iPhone attached to your Apple ID, you should see the phone number listed here. If you have several iPhones that log into the same address, you may see several phone numbers. You will also see any email addresses you have attached to your account. If you see several phone numbers listed but you are the only user of the iPad, it may be better to uncheck any phone number that is not yours to prevent you from receiving text messages for other members of your family. Friends and family can also send text messages to the email address you check in on this screen. Tap a phone number or email address to activate it. You must have at least one destination checked on this screen if you have iMessage turned on. So if you want to uncheck your phone number but it is grayed out, you will need to check your email address or another phone number first. Lifewire Now that this is set up, you can use the Messages app to keep in contact with your friends and family without needing an iPhone. How to Send More Than Just Text in an iMessage In the Messages app, tap the heart with two fingers to draw a message to a friend. Tap the button with an A on it to send animated GIFs, music, or other stickers you have purchased through the App Store. The Photos icon lets you attach pictures and movies from your Camera Roll. You can also send money through iMessage with the Apple Pay button. The images section contains the animated GIFs that come with the iPad. There's enough variety there that you should be able to express almost any emotion. If you hold down the response bubble from a friend, you will see even more options to customize your text by adding a thumbs up or a heart to their response. Lifewire Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up. Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit