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Introduction
It's easy to send text messages using Siri. Instruct Siri to "text John Smith" or "message John Smith"and you'll be asked to speak the message and then confirm that you want to send it.
But sometimes dictated messages don't come out right and it's important to know how to send messages using the Messages app if you want to ensure a message is written without errors.
Sending a message using the Messages app
the two main screens of the Messages app
When you open the Messages app it is likely to be displaying one of its two main screens. These are the conversation list which displays the most recent message either too or from all of your correspondents or a screen displaying all the mesages in an individual conversation. The conversation list screen has a Messages heading and lists the most recent message in each of your conversations with the most recent conversation at the top of the list. On this screen, explore near top left of the screen for the Edit button and you can then swipe right to the Messages heading and then through the list of conversations. To view all the messages in a conversation double tap it and the screen will display recent messages in that conversation with the most recent message at the bottom of the list. If you explore by sliding a finger near the top of this screen you will find the name of your contact near top centre and a back button near top left. The back button usually speaks the total number of unread messages before it speaks back button. Don't worry too much if the number of unread messages is high. Messages you read on your lock screen or by asking Siri to read them aren't marked as read by the Messages app.
If you want to continue a recent conversation then you should continue the conversation from the screen displaying that conversation. If you want to start a new conversation or if you simply haven't messaged a person for a long while you can start a new conversation from the conversation list screen.
How to continue a recent conversation
Open the Messages app by locating the app and double tapping or instruct Siri to "open messages".
Explore by sliding a finger near top left of the screen to determine which screen is being displayed. If you find an Edit button then you are viewing the conversation list so you should swipe right until you locate the desired conversation and then double tap to open the screen displaying that conversation.
If you find a back button at top left of the screen an individual conversation is being displayed. Swipe right until you hear the name of your contact. If that's the person with whom you want to continue the conversation you are in the right place but if it isn't, you need to use the back button to return to the conversation list and locate and double tap the desired conversation.
OK, so now you should be viewing the screen displaying the conversation yu want to continue.
Explore near bottom centre of the screen and you will find a message text field. VoiceOver should speak something like "message, iMessage, text field". iMessage may be replaced by other types of message but don't worry about that. They should all work fine. Double tap to begin editing the message and now you can dictate, type, handwrite or use Braille Screen Input to enter your message.
If you dictated your message then a single swipe right should take you to the Send button. If you used the keyboard, explore above the centre of the keyboard for the message and then swipe right to locate the Send button.
Finally double tap to send your message.
How to begin a new conversation
Open the Messages app by locating the app and double tapping or instruct Siri to "open messages".
Explore near top left of the screen to determine which screen is being displayed.
If you find a back button then you are viewing a specific conversation and need to double tap to go back to the conversation list.
If you find an Edit button you are viewing the conversation list, which is where you need to be.
Now locate and double tap the Compose button at bottom right of the screen.
You should hear "Too, text field, is editing".
There are several options here to enter the names of the people you wish to message. Here are two you can try.
Select the recipient from your list of contacts
After you double tap to activate the compose button you should hear VoiceOver speak "Too, text field, is editing". This means that the app is waiting for you to give it an address for the recipient of the message.
Your next step is to locate the Add Contact button. Swipe right to loacate it and double tap. This will display a screen showing all your contacts. If you don't have many contacts, just keep swiping right or explore the screen until you reach the correct contact and then double tap. That will add the contact to the Too field.
If you have a lot of contacts, you should use a different approach for finding the desired contact. Locate the add contact button and double tap. Then swipe right until you hear VoiceOver speak "section index, adjustable". Alternatively feel for the section index at the extreme right centre of the screen. The section index is placed along the extreme right edge of the screen and is like the alphabetical tabs on an old-style address book and the word "adjustable" is VoiceOver's way of telling you that you can progress through the alphabet with a swipe down. Swipe down with one finger to go through the letters until you reach the letter you need for the contact's surname or first name. Contacts may be ordered either by first name or surname. This is set in Settings / Apps / Contacts. Now swipe right and you'll work your way through all the names beginning with your chosen letter. Double tap when you've found the right contact and it will be placed in the Too field.
Select the reipient by entering their name
When you are editing the Too field, enter the recipient's name or part of the name. This will result in a list of matches appearing below the Too field on screen.
If you dictated the name, then you will be able to swipe right through the list of matches and double tap the one you want in order to select it. Dictation may not be successful with unusually spelt names but you could spell the name when dictating if you are sure of the spelling.
If you typed on the keyboard then you will need to explore an inch or so below the top centre of the screen to find the first match and you can then swipe through the remaining matches and double tap the one you want.
Write and send the message
Explore above the centre of the keyboard and you will find a message text field. VoiceOver should speak something like "message, iMessage, text field". iMessage may be replaced by other types of message but don't worry about that. They should all work fine. Double tap to begin editing the message and now you can dictate, type, handwrite or use Braille Screen Input to enter your message.
If you dictated your message then a single swipe right should take you to the Send button. If you used the keyboard, explore above the centre of the keyboard for the message and then swipe right to locate the Send button.
Finally double tap to send your message.
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