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Send a message

In Windows Phone, Threads let you switch between texting and chatting in the same conversation. So whether your friends and family are on their cell phones or at their computers, you can keep in touch with them by texting, or by chatting over Facebook or Messenger.

You can also send a text message using only your voice. Here's how:

To send a message

  • 1

    On Start, tap Messaging Messaging tile > Threads > New New icon.

  • 2

    Do one of the following:

    • •
      Begin typing a person's name in the To: box, and then tap a matching contact name in the list. The contact info you choose or enter determines if the message is sent as a text message or an instant message over Facebook or Messenger. Repeat to add more recipients, and their names will be added automatically in the To: box.
    • •
      Enter the person's mobile phone number or their email address in the To: box. To enter additional recipients, tap Enter Enter icon after each one.
    • •
      Tap Add Add icon, flick to a contact, tap it, and then tap the contact's phone number, Messenger, or Facebook to determine how you want to send the message. Repeat to add more recipients, and their names will be automatically added in the To: box.

  • 3

    Tap the message box, type your message, and then tap Send Send icon.

Notes

  • •
    To chat over Facebook, you'll need to set up a Facebook account on your phone and then turn on Facebook Chat in Messaging Settings. For more info, see Set up a Facebook account.
  • •
    To chat on Messenger, you'll need to sign in to your phone with a Windows Live ID. For more info, see Windows Live ID.
  • •
    Your mobile operator might charge you extra for text messaging, and this service must be available with your current phone plan.
  • •
    Group text (in Messaging Settings) helps keep replies in one thread while you're texting with a group of people. When it's turned on, replies are sent as MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages instead of SMS (Short Message Service) text messages. To find this setting, in Messaging, tap More More icon > Settings. This setting can vary by mobile operator and might not appear. Your mobile operator might charge extra for MMS messaging, and this service must be available with your current phone plan.

To set your chat status

  • 1

    On Start, tap Messaging Messaging tile > Threads > Status Status icon.

  • 2

    On the Set chat status screen, tap a status.

Notes

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    You can also set your chat status from the Me card. For more info, see What is the Me card?
  • •
    After you set your chat status and sign in, you can see who's online and start chatting. To start chatting with someone, in Messaging, flick to Online, and then tap a contact.

To reply to a message

  • 1

    On Start, tap Messaging Messaging tile, and then tap the thread that has the message you received.

  • 2

    Tap the message box, type your response, and then tap Send Send icon.

  • 3

    To switch between text and chat, tap Switch Switch icon, and then tap the way you want to send the message. Your conversation will stay in one thread.

    Text message conversation

Note

You won't be able to switch between text and chat during a conversation with multiple people.

To forward a message

  • 1

    On Start, tap Messaging Messaging tile, and then tap the thread that has the message you want to forward.

  • 2

    Tap and hold a message, and then tap Forward.

  • 3

    Type the person's name, mobile phone number, or email address in the To: box.

  • 4

    Tap the message box, type a message if you'd like, and then tap Send Send icon.

Note

If you receive an instant message over Messenger that has a file attached, you won't be able to forward it.

To delete a thread

  • 1

    On Start, tap Messaging Messaging tile.

  • 2

    Under Threads, tap and hold a thread you want to delete, and then tap Delete.

  • 3

    Tap Delete to confirm.

To delete a message

  • 1

    On Start, tap Messaging Messaging tile.

  • 2

    Under Threads, tap a thread that has a message you want to delete.

  • 3

    Tap and hold the message you want to delete, and then tap Delete.

  • 4

    Tap Delete to confirm.

Notes

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    Text messages (SMS messages) can be up to 160 characters long. If your text message is longer than 160 characters, it will be sent in one or more additional messages.
  • •
    Sometimes mobile operators will send a text message that you can't reply to or forward, and the message box says Read-only message.

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*Some features, applications, and services are not available in all areas. See your service provider for details. Application availability and pricing are subject to change.