iMessage (Messaging Service)

iMessage is a messaging service used for exchanging text messages, photos and videos between all iOS devices, including iPhone, iPad and the iPod Touch. Texts, multimedia messages, and even your location on the map can be shared with persons or groups. iMessage also supports video chats.

iMessage

iMessages are automatically pushed to all iOS 5 (and later) devices, so you can go on with your chats anywhere, anytime. When sent to a non-Apple device, an iMessage is converted into SMS. iMessages appear in blue bubbles on the right side of the screen; unlike the text messages which show up green. Like many other messengers, it requires an access to the Internet either through Wi-Fi, or mobile (3G, 4G). For Mac and iPads, simply log in with your Apple ID. To receive messages sent to your iPhone, add the number to your Mac or iPad.

iMessage is very comfy to use. You can see if your iMessages have been delivered or read, or if a contact in your list is typing right now. End-to-end encryption ensures nobody can wiretap your communication via iMessage and decrypt the texts while they are in transit. And when we say nobody, we mean nobody means nobody, Apple engineers included. iMessages can be saved in iCloud Backup and retrieved from it if needed, but a user can turn off this option if they want.

Unlike other messengers, iMessage has its own batch of Apps, Games and Stickers available in the iMessage Apps Store. The store in question, as well as iMessage Service, and Messages framework come in a bundle with iOS 10 and MacOS Sierra onwards. iMessage Apps can be created as standalone iMessage apps, or as an extension to the existing iOS apps. There’s no coding needed to create Standalone Stickers iMessage App either. Speaking of which, these stickers often feature pop-culture icons like Super Mario from the famous Nintendo game, or Pac-man. With iMessage Apps, a user can look up the weather forecast, book a hotel or a table in a restaurant, and even pay contacts.

Features:

• Announced on: June 6, 2011.
• Introduced on: October 12, 2011.
• Supported operating systems: iOS 5 or later, OS X Mountain Lion or later, WatchOS.
• Crossover: PieMessage (under development).
• Android support: SMS only.
• Windows support: No.
• Supported messages types: texts, photos, videos, documents, contacts, group messages.
• Group chat support: Yes.
• Video chat support: Yes.
• Networks: Wi-Fi, mobile phone Internet.
• Special features: Delivery and read receipts, typing indication, secure end-to-end encryption.

How to send an iMessage if the network is down?

• Tap and hold the text message until the menu appears.
• Select Send as text Message option.

or

1. Open Settings.
2. Activate Send as SMS.

How to retrieve Deleted iMessages or Texts?

1. Login to icloud.com with your Apple ID and password.
2. Click on Text Messages (make sure you have turned on the backup option in your iMessage or else the entry will not be there).
3. Go to your iPhone and choose Settings, iCloud.
4. Turn off Text Messages.
5. Select: Keep on My iPhone in a pop-up menu.
6. Turn text messages back.
7. Tap Merge, and wait. It usually takes the deleted text messages a few minutes to appear back on your iPhone.

How to send and share location with iMessage for iPhone and iPad?

1. Launch the Messages app.
2. Tap on the conversation in which you would like to send your location.
3. Tap on Details in the upper right-hand corner.
4. Tap on Send My Current Location.

How to send and share up-to-the-minute location with iMessage for iPhone and iPad?

1. Launch the Messages app.
2. Tap on the conversation in which you would like to share your location. It can be with an individual person or with a group, as long as everyone in it is using iMessage.
3. Tap on Details in the upper right-hand corner.
4. Tap on Share My Location.
5. Choose the duration for which you’d like to share your location. The app will set up a temporary or permanent Find my Friends session.

Miscellanea

The iMessage protocol is based on the Apple Push Notification Service (APNs)—a proprietary, binary protocol to set up a Keep-Alive connection with the Apple servers. Every connection features its own unique code, which acts as an identifier for the route that should be used to send a message to a specific device. The connection is encrypted with a client side certificate, that is requested by the device on the activation of iMessage.

Android phones therefore are left in the cold. The only iMessage app for Android called PieMessage, cannot support group chats and iMessages Apps. Besides, you still need a running Mac desktop or laptop to work as an iMessage server for your Android cell.

Yet, the end-to-end encryption does not guarantee 100% security against social engineering and man-in-the-middle-attacks. Since the security system does not provide reliable authentication of contacts, there is no way to say if the person you are messaging with is not an impostor.

List of Most Useful iMessage Apps

Circle Pay

Circle Pay sends money through iMessages. Works with a debit card tethered to the app. No fees, no currencies’ restrictions. Dollars, Euros, Pound sterling, and even Bitcoins are sent directly to anyone inside of iMessage. With the app one can also cash out with almost every bank in the United States or United Kingdom.

OpenTable

Open Table books a table in a restaurant for you and your party. It also allows you to send the list of potential restaurants and cafes to the group. Group members can vote for their favorite place to go.

Genius: Song Lyrics & Music Knowledge

Finds lyrics to the songs, allows to highlight words and lines and put them into messages. Lyrics can be shared with the contacts list as well.

Links

• The most efficient way to recycle the Mac you don’t need anymore : Sell it to iGotOffer for cash. You will sell it to us as soon as you see the price we pay! – Sell old Mac online now!
• iMessage on Apple.