iMessage

Apple's messaging service

iMessage is Apple's messaging service, built into iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

It sends texts, photos, and videos over the internet rather than cellular networks, appearing as blue bubbles rather than the green bubbles of standard SMS.

The distinction has become a minor social marker: Sorry, I don't have iMessage signals Android use to iPhone owners.

platform

Apple

Cupertino tech giant

iOSMobile operating system
iPhoneApple mobile device
iPadApple's tablet device

Mac · App Store · Siri · FaceTime · Apple Watch · macOS · Apple ID · CarPlay · Apple ecosystem · AirDrop

messaging

text

Written or printed words

SMSMobile text protocol
MMSMobile multimedia protocol
chatInformal verbal exchange

conversation · thread · bubble · send · receive · reply · group chat · typing indicator · read receipt · delivered

features

reactions

Responses to events

effectsConsequences or belongings
stickersAdhesive-backed paper images
GIFsLooping image format

invisible ink · confetti · lasers · fireworks · echo · spotlight · slam · loud · gentle · handwritten

social

friends

Voluntary close relations

familyRelated people together
contactsPeople you know professionally
groupAssembled collection of things

emoji · expression · tone · casual · informal · banter · flirting · check-in · plans · coordination

security

encryption

Converting data into code

end-to-endSpanning the full sequence
privacyFreedom from observation
secureProtected from harm

protected · two-factor · verification · blocked · spam · filtered · junk · report

media

photos

Recorded light images

videosPlayable visual content
audioTransmitted sound content
attachmentsItems joined to something

links · documents · camera · gallery · screenshots · files · previews · thumbnails · sharing · albums

iMessage

Apple

text

reactions

friends

encryption

photos

iMessage

Opposites

Categories

Family