Many iPhone users don’t get the most out of their fancy handsets because they don’t know how to set them up or are unaware of some of the common features. Among these many features are iMessage and Facetime. These two are very unpopular among iPhone users and we look to change that. Ask an iPhone holder within Africa how often they use these two services and the answer will most likely be disappointing.
Usually, it is because they find setting these up challenging and so they give up after a few tries. Setting up iMessage and Facetime, however, as illustrated in this article, is not in any way complicated. We break it down into simple, easy-to-follow steps to help you get the most out of your handset.
The first step is choosing whether to use your Apple id email address or phone number. Whichever you choose, this will be the way your contacts that use the service can find you. Many people choose to use their phone number, but this is advisable only if you don’t plan to change sim cards often. Changing sim cards means you will have to go through the setup process every time you switch a sim card. In my opinion, therefore, it is more advisable to stick to your email address as it has longevity.
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iMessage
iMessage is an instant messaging feature that comes with your iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac laptop, or iPad. The feature was launched with the iOS 5 in 2011. Since then, it has been used for the sending of messages, links, locations, photos and stickers, audio, and voice memos to other Apple device users free of charge, over the internet. It comes with; group conversations, the ability to sync messages over multiple devices and switch between them during a conversation, real-time typing, viewing read receipts, end-to-end message encryption, the ability to undo sent messages, and the ability to merge with Apple Pay for you to for send and receive payments from your contacts.
Think of it as Apple’s way of saying, ”We can develop a better version of Whatsapp.”
How to set up iMessage on your iPhone
First of all, you must be signed in to Apple ID on your device and also have a working internet connection. Thereafter, open the Settings app and scroll down to the Messages option and select it. Toggle on iMessage to activate. Additionally, you can select means you wish to send and receive messages by, that is either by your mobile service provider or by email/Apple ID. Depending on your service provider, a little fee could be attracted to set up on your device or any time you changed the service provider line.
Facetime
FaceTime is an inbuilt Apple-only application through which you chat with someone over a video or audio call. This feature works independently of your phone network plan. All it needs aside from your Apple device is a working network connection, and you are set to keep in touch with your apple device-owning friends and family.
How to set up Facetime on your iPhone
Ensure you are signed in to your device with your Apple ID. Facetime is always automatically running as soon as your iPhone is activated with a SIM card, but not ideally working so here is how to get it turned on;
Simply open the Settings app on your phone, select Facetime and turn it on. Just like with iMessage, proceed to select whether to be reached by your phone number or email address. And just like that, you’ll have successfully set up Facetime on your device.
Facetime in general works on all your Apple devices that is the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even the Homepod and Apple Watch…though the latter are entirely for audio calls. When activated on your iPhone, your other devices signed in to your iCloud account can use your phone number to make FaceTime calls. With upgrades in iOS 15, Facetime is now open to Android, and Windows devices which means it’s only getting bigger and better.