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How to Send and Respond to Messages on Apple Watch

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Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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One of the main focal points of the Apple Watch is communication, and as such, it offers a Messages app much like the one on the iPhone. It's not quite as robust as the Messages apps available on other iOS and Mac devices, but Messages on Apple Watch lets you send pre-made replies, animated and non-animated emoji, and full voice-to-text messages.

For those of you who want to learn the ins and outs of creating and responding to messages on the Apple Watch, we've written up a detailed tutorial on the Messages app. Plus we've also got some tips on customizing the available options for communicating with others.

Sending a Message


How-to-send-messages-on-Apple-Watch-4-250x313.jpg
Press the Digital Crown to go to the Home screen on Apple Watch.
Open the Messages app.
Firmly press on the Messages list until the icon for New Message appears.
Tap "New Message."
Tap "Add Contact" to select the recipient.
Tap the icon to add a contact. (It looks like the silhouette of a person with a plus (+) symbol next to it.)
Select a contact. Then, select the phone number or Apple ID you wish to use for that person.
Tap "Create Message."
Use the Default Replies, Emoji, or Dictate Text to send the message.
Sending a message can also be done quickly by tapping the button underneath the Digital Crown to bring up your friends list, where you can select a favorite contact. From there just tap the Message icon to get to the messaging options. If you've already got a list of conversations available in the Messages app (which you likely do if you use Messages on the iPhone), you can also just click there to continue a conversation from your wrist.


Click here to read more...

Article Link: How to Send and Respond to Messages on Apple Watch
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/send-messages-apple-watch/
As cool as it is that MacRumors is making these articles and I respect the writers and staff.

The fact these things even need to be said says to me the watch is too complicated and hard to use. I mean really a guide for responding to text messages?

Just my thoughts.

EDIT: Since some people didn't get what I was trying to say. This article is unnecessary, the watch is not hard to use. I was being perhaps a bit too sarcastic and it went over your heads. I thought I made that clear with "As cool as it is that MacRumors is making these articles and I respect the writers and staff." and "I mean really a guide for responding to text messages?" but clearly not.
 
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Quu said:
As cool as it is that MacRumors is making these articles and I respect the writers and staff.

The fact these things even need to be said says to me the watch is too complicated and hard to use. I mean really a guide for responding to text messages?

Just my thoughts.
Click to expand...
Some people find it hard to connect a DVD player to their TV even when it requires a single cable that comes with it. Doesn't mean that it's actually complicated or hard to use though.
 
Quu said:
As cool as it is that MacRumors is making these articles and I respect the writers and staff.

The fact these things even need to be said says to me the watch is too complicated and hard to use. I mean really a guide for responding to text messages?

Just my thoughts.
Click to expand...
If you read those instructions and think they will be too difficult for you to perform or remember, even after you've done it a couple of times, then you're right! The Watch is not for you.
 
Quu said:
As cool as it is that MacRumors is making these articles and I respect the writers and staff.

The fact these things even need to be said says to me the watch is too complicated and hard to use. I mean really a guide for responding to text messages?

Just my thoughts.
Click to expand...

And that right there is the problem with these posts. If you spend more than two minutes using the watch you'll see these posts are wholly unnecessary and are simply filler on a slow news day. It gives a very inaccurate impression of the watch which is quite intuitive to use.
 
its similar to messaging on the iphone!

Unlock your phone by swiping (or touch ID)

insert your password, and confirm by pressing enter (or have touch ID)

  1. tap on your messages app
  2. tapp on new message
  3. tappp on + for your contacts
  4. tapppp your contact

write message...

... it already seems to be complicated...

:eek:
 
Quu said:
As cool as it is that MacRumors is making these articles and I respect the writers and staff.

The fact these things even need to be said says to me the watch is too complicated and hard to use. I mean really a guide for responding to text messages?

Just my thoughts.
Click to expand...

These guides, though very thorough and accurate, are complicated and (I believe) unnecessary.

Actually using the watch is very simple.
 
Jason83 said:
And that right there is the problem with these posts. If you spend more than two minutes using the watch you'll see these posts are wholly unnecessary and are simply filler on a slow news day. It gives a very inaccurate impression of the watch which is quite intuitive to use.
Click to expand...
I don't think these posts are for people who already have the Apple Watch.

When I first got my iPad, I took it to England (where I was working at the time). One of the people I worked with told me her husband had drawn an iPad out on paper, and was practicing on the paper version. It wasn't available in the UK yet. I gave her the box mine had come in, with the full-sized photo of the iPad on the front. I worried that it might be condescending, but she said he was really grateful.

The first computer I ever saw in person was a TRS-PC. A pocket computer with less than 1K RAM. My father let me play with it, and I was hooked. He wouldn't let me take the computer out of his sight, but he loaned me the instruction manual, which I read cover to cover.

These articles are p*rn for those who want an Apple Watch but haven't yet got one. If they had a Watch, they'd be figuring it out on their own, as you say, no problem. But they don't (yet). When they get their own, they'll pick it up even quicker than a novice, because they'll have already gone through the motions in their mind.
 
doelcm82 said:
I don't think these posts are for people who already have the Apple Watch.

When I first got my iPad, I took it to England (where I was working at the time). One of the people I worked with told me her husband had drawn an iPad out on paper, and was practicing on the paper version. It wasn't available in the UK yet. I gave her the box mine had come in, with the full-sized photo of the iPad on the front. I worried that it might be condescending, but she said he was really grateful.

The first computer I ever saw in person was a TRS-PC. A pocket computer with less than 1K RAM. My father let me play with it, and I was hooked. He wouldn't let me take the computer out of his sight, but he loaned me the instruction manual, which I read cover to cover.

These articles are p*rn for those who want an Apple Watch but haven't yet got one. If they had a Watch, they'd be figuring it out on their own, as you say, no problem. But they don't (yet). When they get their own, they'll pick it up even quicker than a novice, because they'll have already gone through the motions in their mind.
Click to expand...

That makes perfect sense, much like the Apple-published guided tour videos prior to the first iPhone. We knew how to use it by the time it finally came out. The only problem I have with these is the Watch is all new territory for the majority of buyers (I myself came from a Pebble but most will not have).

Showing everyone how to use it ahead of time is great in theory, but these articles end up being EXTREMELY detailed and a mile long and end up being a hindrance to adoption. People see how "complicated" it is and don't order.

That's just how I see it. A series of how-to videos would be fantastic... and as I typed that I remembered Apple did just that for the Watch as well. They are sufficient and do a great service in my opinion.
 
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5aga said:
If messaging relies on default replies guess mine would be "Text My Phone"
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Texts don't go to your phone OR watch, they go to your phone every time. The watch just mirrors it for you for quick access. The default replies are for very quick replies. You can always pull your phone out and type out a real reply.

BillyTrimble said:
I think we get that you are angry and upset that you don't have your watch yet. But is it necessary to inject your off topic comment in this thread?
Click to expand...

I think it was just a joke, brah.
 
Quu said:
As cool as it is that MacRumors is making these articles and I respect the writers and staff.

The fact these things even need to be said says to me the watch is too complicated and hard to use. I mean really a guide for responding to text messages?

Just my thoughts.
Click to expand...

Yeah, go to the app. Force Touch. Write message.

Super hard.
 
did this really need an article... it was common sense after playing with the watch for less than 2-5mins
 
Quu said:
As cool as it is that MacRumors is making these articles and I respect the writers and staff.

The fact these things even need to be said says to me the watch is too complicated and hard to use. I mean really a guide for responding to text messages?

Just my thoughts.
Click to expand...

Maybe you should step outside the asylum with Douglas Adams.
 
Quu said:
I mean really a guide for responding to text messages?
Click to expand...
I expected something along the lines of Siri on iPhone. I sound like Rutger Hauer after a weekend of big cigars and plenty of wodka, but Siri understands things like 'read text messages' and 'reply' just fine, and more often than not even my actual response renders to something intelligible.

Why would a wrist-worn headset do much worse?
 
JAT said:
Maybe you should step outside the asylum with Douglas Adams.
Click to expand...

filmantopia said:
Yeah, go to the app. Force Touch. Write message.

Super hard.
Click to expand...

doelcm82 said:
If you read those instructions and think they will be too difficult for you to perform or remember, even after you've done it a couple of times, then you're right! The Watch is not for you.
Click to expand...

I thought the Macrumors crowed was quicker than this to realise I was saying these articles are unnecessary, the watch is not hard to use.

But you all made my argument for me so mission accomplished I suppose.
 
Forgot to let everyone see it!

Hey, guys... I got my 42 SS BSB yesterday afternoon and didn't have much trouble syncing to my iPhone 6 and I can get calls to any number and iMessages to work just fine... ALTHOUGH, sms text messages will notify me on the watch, but when replying to or sending a new message to a number that does not belong to an iPhone, I will just get "Message Send Failure"... Does anyone know what may be going on with this? Thanks!
 
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UncleDannie said:
I'm 71 years old and consider myself pretty computer savvy, but each and every OS has it's own peculiarities and deviations, so I enjoy these little "how to" articles. Keep them coming. Even if one is not needed, overall, they all help.
Click to expand...

This! These guides help individuals.

----------
acctman said:
did this really need an article... it was common sense after playing with the watch for less than 2-5mins
Click to expand...

1. Generates clicks
2. Some people will find Benefit from it
 
CotyB2009 said:
Hey, guys... I got my 42 SS BSB yesterday afternoon and didn't have much trouble syncing to my iPhone 6 and I can get calls to any number and iMessages to work just fine... ALTHOUGH, sms text messages will notify me on the watch, but when replying to or sending a new message to a number that does not belong to an iPhone, I will just get "Message Send Failure"... Does anyone know what may be going on with this? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Still haven't figured this out...
 
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