How to Read Text Messages From a Cell Phone

People communicate through text messages as often as they do through phone calls. If you are not electronically savvy, however, you may find text messaging complicated. The fact is, no matter what model of phone you use, reading text messages is quite simple. While there may be a slight difference in the visual format that varies from phone to phone, all cell phones have a basic text messaging system that is universal.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cell phone with active service and texting capabilities

Reading Text Messages

1. Power on your cell phone. From your home screen select "Menu."

2. Highlight "Messages" from your menu options and press "OK." Under the "Messages" options you will see several different selections, from Text messages to Voice messages, and depending on the type of phone you use there may also be an option for SMS or Picture Messaging.

3. Select "Text messages" and then select "Inbox." When the Inbox file opens, it will list the messages,the number they are from, and sometimes the date sent. Often, you will see the first few words of the message as well.

4. Highlight the message you would like to read and press "OK" or "Select." On the bottom of your message screen you will see "Options." Press the soft key (key below the "Options" listing) and view your options. Here you can either reply to or delete the message.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult your phone's user guide for instructions specific to your model, as there may be shortcuts you can use to make the text messaging function easier for you.
• Delete any unimportant or unwanted text messages as soon as possible, as they take up room in the phone's usable memory.

Resources

• How to Text Fast
• Video: Cell Phone Types and Text Messaging

[schmammel]

on 10/21/2009 Good info!