How to Send an SMS Via a Mac

Mac computers can send SMS messages.

Fumbling with a tiny keyboard on a tiny phone is no way to send a big message. Fortunately, Apple computers come installed with iChat, which allows you to send text messages through your computer. Using your Mac computer to send an SMS allows you to send exactly the right message.

Instructions

1. Click the iChat icon to open the iChat program. This icon should appear on the desktop as a blue cartoon speech bubble containing a white movie camera. If it is not on your desktop, double-click the hard drive icon on the desktop. A window will appear. Double-click the applications folder, then double-click on the iChat icon.

2. Click the "File" tab, then select "Send SMS." A new window will appear. If you have an older version of iChat, click "New Chat with Person" instead of "Send SMS."

3. Type the telephone number to which you would like to send to SMS in the text box under the address prompt. Enter the telephone number as "+1," then the area code and then the telephone number, with no spaces. Thus, if the number to which you want to send a message is 503-555-9819, enter the number as

   "[phone]."

4. Click "OK." Type your message in the text box at the bottom of the Chat window. Press the "Return" key to send the message.

Tips & Warnings

• Only US phones can be text using iChat.

References

• "MacBook All-In-One for Dummies"; Mark L. Chambers; 2010