iPhone Tips & Tricks #223: How To Set Up iMessage

One of the coolest features on iOS5 is the inclusion of an iPhone-specific messaging service that is similar to BBM but a lot more reliable as it is implemented in iOS.  Through iMessage, you can stand to save a lot of money because of the messaging over wifi system that allows for free texting and sending of pictures and videos.

To set up your iMessage service on your iPhone, all you have to do is launch the Settings application on your iPhone and then toggle the iMessage switch to On, only if it isn’t on already.  Also toggle Send Read Receipts to On if you want people to be notified when you have actually read their messages.  You will need to log in using your Apple ID.  It may take a while but Apple’s servers will then activate the service for you on your iPhone.  Just test it with someone else who has iMessage on their iPhone as well.

This works on all iPhone models running iOS5 and above.