To add someone to iMessage, you need to save their contact information, specifically the phone number or Apple ID email they use with iMessage, to your Apple device's Contacts app. If their name appears blue but the message won't send, you might be seeing two exclamation points in iMessage instead. iMessage is not a social network where you send a friend request; it is an automatic service that activates whenever you message another Apple user with iMessage enabled.
What 'How to Add Someone to iMessage' Really Means
When you search for how to add someone to iMessage, you might expect a button inside the Messages app. In reality, you do not "add someone to iMessage" in the way you would add a friend on a social media app; iMessage is an automatic service between Apple devices. Once you have a person's contact details saved on your device, iMessage works quietly in the background. If they use an Apple device with iMessage turned on, your messages will automatically send as blue iMessage bubbles. If not, they will send as green SMS texts. If you want to access those blue bubbles from a non-Apple laptop, you can use iMessage on Chromebook with the right setup.
Before You Start: The iMessage Checklist
Before you can successfully send an iMessage, three things must be true. First, both you and the recipient must be using an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple Vision Pro). Second, iMessage must be enabled on both devices. Third, you both need an active internet connection, either Wi-Fi or cellular data. Without these prerequisites, your messages will not send as iMessage, regardless of how many contacts you save.
How to Save a New Contact for iMessage
The primary method to add someone is through the Contacts app. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and tap the "+" (plus) icon in the top right corner. Fill in the contact's details, including their name and the phone number or email address they use for iMessage, then tap "Done". Once saved, this contact will be available when you start a new message. This is the most reliable way to ensure you have the correct information.
How to Add a Contact from an Unsaved Number
If someone has texted you from an unknown number that you want to add, you can do so directly from the conversation. Tap the phone number at the top of the conversation, then "Info" (a blue circle with an "i"), and then "Create New Contact". This saves you from manually typing their number and is especially useful when you want to add someone to iMessage after receiving a text from them.
How to Start Your First iMessage Chat
Once your contact is saved, open the Messages app and tap the Compose button (a square with a pencil icon). In the "To" field, enter the recipient's phone number, contact name, or Apple ID email address. Type your message and tap send. If the send button and message bubble appear blue, you are successfully using iMessage. If they appear green, the message is sending as standard SMS/MMS.
Why Are My Messages Green? Troubleshooting iMessage
Green bubbles mean your message is being sent as SMS/MMS, not iMessage. This happens for a few common reasons: the recipient does not have an Apple device, iMessage is off on either device, or there is no internet connection. To check your own setup, go to Settings > Apps > Messages and toggle "iMessage" on. Then go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive and verify that your phone number and Apple Account email addresses are selected under "You can receive iMessages to and Reply From". If you want to start new conversations from your phone number instead of an email, select your phone number under "Start New Conversations From". If you want to add someone to an existing group iMessage, tap the group icon at the top of the conversation, then "Add", and enter their contact information. An Apple Account is required to use iMessage features, and all iMessage conversations are end-to-end encrypted for security.
