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Send and receive text messages

Your device may support dynamic text messaging services that enable you to send Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Message Service (MMS) messages. An SMS message is a text message that contains text only, with letters, numbers, and symbols. An MMS message is a text message that includes any of the following:
  • Color background
  • Attachments of any kind
  • Subject line
Note Text messaging is an option that your mobile service provider might require you to pay for. Before you can send and receive text messages, your mobile service operator must activate your text-messaging account.

Text messages are automatically received when your device is turned on. When your device is off, messages are held by your service provider until the next time you turn on the device.

These how-to instructions are for touch screen and non-touch screen phones with Windows Mobile 5. To find help and how-to for Windows Mobile 6 and later versions, go to the main Help & how-to section.

Not sure what type of phone or version of Windows Mobile you have? Identify your Windows Mobile phone.

5.0 Touch Screen5.0 Non-Touch Screen

Compose and send messages

Your device may offer powerful text-messaging features. This section shows you how to use those features.

Compose and send a text message

  • In the message list, tap Menu > Switch Accounts and select Text Messaging.
  • Tap New.
  • Enter the text message address of one or more recipients, separating them with a semicolon. To use addresses and phone numbers from Contacts, tap To.
  • Enter your message. To quickly add common messages, tap Menu > My Text and tap a desired message.
  • To check the spelling, tap Menu > Spell Check.
  • Tap Send.
Tips If you are sending a text message and want to know if it was received, before sending the message, tap Menu > Tools > Options. Tap Text Messages and select Request delivery notifications.

Use My Text

My Text provides a fast, easy way to add common sentences to your messages.
  • Tap Menu > My Text, and tap a desired message.
  • To edit a My Text message, in a new message, tap Menu > My Text > Edit My Text Messages. Tap the message you want to edit and enter new text at the bottom of the screen.

Enter a text message phone number

GSM Phones
To use voice mail or send text messages (SMS), enter the correct text message phone number in Phone settings.
  • From the Phone keypad, tap Menu > Options > Services tab.
  • Tap Voice Mail and Text Messages, and tap Get Settings.
  • Enter the voice mail or text message phone number in the appropriate box.
CDMA Phones
To use voice mail or send text messages (SMS), enter the correct voice mail phone number or text message phone number in Phone settings. Sending text messages is not included in all network service plans.
  • From the Phone keypad, tap Menu > Options.
  • Enter the voice mail or text message phone number in the appropriate box.

Compose and send messages

Your device may offer powerful text-messaging features. This section shows you how to use those features.

Create a text message

  • On the Home screen, click Start > Messaging > Text Messages.
  • Click New.
  • In To, enter text message numbers. Insert a semicolon (;) between multiple text message numbers.
  • Click Send. Text messages are sent immediately.
Tips You can quickly enter text message numbers from your contact cards. In To, press ENTER and select a recipient from the list. Then, select the recipient's phone number.

To cancel a message, click Menu > Cancel Message.

Be notified when a text message is delivered

  • Before sending a text message, click Menu > Message Options.
  • Select Request message delivery notification.
  • Click Done. When your message is delivered, you receive a notification on your phone.

Delete all text messages

  • On the Home screen, click Start > Messaging > Text Messages.
  • Click Menu > Folders.
  • Click Menu > Show All Folders.
  • Select the folder with the text messages you want to delete.
  • Click Menu > Clear Text Messages.

Insert predefined text into a message

To save time when entering text, you can insert predefined text into messages.
  • On the Home screen, click Start > Messaging.
  • Select an account and click New.
  • Click Menu > My Text.
  • Click the text you want to insert.
Tip Quickly insert text by entering its associated number.

Enter or change your text message service number

  • On the Home screen, click Start > Messaging.
  • In Text messages service center, enter the phone number, and click Done.
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