You add people to iMessage by starting a new conversation with them

iMessage doesn't have a "contacts" or "friends" list the way some apps do. Instead, you start a conversation directly with anyone whose phone number or Apple ID email address you have. Once you send that first message, the conversation appears in your message threads. If that person also uses iMessage on an Apple device, the message will show in blue; if they use Android or another non-Apple phone, it will show in green and send as a regular text message instead.

The process is straightforward: open the Messages app, tap the compose button (a pencil and paper icon), type or paste the person's contact information, and send your first message. That's the entire process. There's no separate step to "add" someone before you can message them.

Key Takeaways

  • Start a new iMessage conversation by opening Messages, tapping the compose button, and entering a phone number or Apple ID email address.
  • iMessage automatically sends blue messages to Apple device users and green text messages to Android users — no setup required.
  • You can add multiple people to one conversation by entering several phone numbers or email addresses separated by commas.
  • Your phone stores the conversation history with each person once you send that first message, so you don't need to manually save contacts in iMessage itself.

Starting a one-on-one conversation

Open the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. In the upper right corner, you'll see a compose button — it looks like a pencil writing on a piece of paper. Tap or click it.

A new message window opens with a field labeled "To:" at the top. Type or paste the person's phone number (including the country code if they're outside your country) or their Apple ID email address. As you type, your phone may suggest contacts from your address book. You can tap a suggestion to select it, or finish typing the full number or email and tap the blue send button when you're ready.

Type your message in the text field at the bottom and send it. The conversation now appears in your Messages list, and you can continue messaging this person from there.

Adding multiple people to one conversation

If you want to message several people at once, the process is the same — but you enter multiple phone numbers or email addresses in the "To:" field, separated by commas. For example: 555-123-4567, friend@icloud.com, 555-987-6543. Each person you add will see the other participants and can reply to the whole group.

Keep in mind that group conversations work differently depending on who's in them. If everyone uses iMessage on an Apple device, the conversation is a true group chat where people can see when others are typing and can react to individual messages with emoji. If even one person uses Android, the group conversation becomes a standard text message group, and those advanced features won't work.

Using contacts you've already saved

If you've already saved someone's phone number or email in your phone's Contacts app, you don't need to type it again. When you tap the compose button and start typing their name, your phone will show their contact card. Tap it to add them to the "To:" field. This is faster than typing the full number and reduces the chance of typos.

If a contact has multiple phone numbers or email addresses on file, your phone will show all of them. Tap the one you want to use for this conversation. iMessage will remember which number or email you used and default to it next time you message that person.

What happens when you message someone for the first time

When you send your first message to someone, a few things happen behind the scenes. iMessage checks whether the recipient has an Apple device and an active iMessage account. If they do, your message sends as an encrypted blue message. If they don't, it automatically falls back to a standard text message (SMS), which shows in green.

The person receives your message on whatever device they use most often, or on the device they've set as their default for that contact. They don't need to "accept" you or add you back before they can reply — they can respond immediately. Once they do, the conversation appears in their Messages list just as it appears in yours.

Finding and reopening past conversations

After you send that first message, the conversation stays in your Messages list. You can scroll through your list to find it, or use the search bar at the top of the Messages app to search by the person's name, phone number, or the content of a message you remember sending. Tap the conversation to open it and continue the chat.

If you delete a conversation by accident, the message history is gone unless you have a backup of your phone. iMessage doesn't store deleted conversations on Apple's servers — they exist only on your device. If you think you might want to keep a conversation, don't swipe left on it and tap delete.

Blocking and unblocking people

If you don't want to receive messages from someone, you can block them without having to delete the conversation. Open the conversation, tap the person's name or number at the top, scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller." That person can still send you messages, but they won't reach your phone, and you won't see notifications.

To unblock someone, go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts (on iPhone) or System Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts (on Mac), find their name, and tap "Unblock." They'll be able to message you again, and you'll see their messages in real time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I message someone if I don't have their contact saved?

Yes. You can type their phone number or email address directly into the "To:" field without saving them as a contact first. If you message them regularly, you might want to save them to your Contacts app so you don't have to type their information each time.

What's the difference between blue and green messages?

Blue messages use iMessage, which is encrypted and works only between Apple devices. Green messages are standard text messages (SMS) that work on any phone. iMessage is faster and includes features like read receipts and typing indicators, but green messages are more reliable if the recipient doesn't have an Apple device.

Do I need an Apple ID to use iMessage?

You need an Apple ID to send iMessages, but you don't need one to receive them. If someone sends you an iMessage and you don't have an Apple ID set up, you'll receive it as a regular text message instead. To send iMessages, go to Settings > Messages and sign in with your Apple ID.

Can I message someone who has blocked me?

You can type a message and hit send, but it won't reach them. You won't get a notification that you've been blocked — the message will simply appear to send normally. If you suspect someone has blocked you, try calling them; if the call fails, they may have blocked your number.

What happens if I message someone and they don't respond?

Nothing automatic happens. The conversation stays in your Messages list, and you can send another message whenever you want. If you're worried about bothering someone, it's fine to send a follow-up message after a few days — there's no limit to how many times you can message someone.