Mayfield Learning
Email & messages

Send a text message

A text lets you reach family and friends in seconds. It is quick and easy to do. You already know how to type. So you are almost there. If texts cost money on your plan, a free chat app like WhatsApp works the same way. Let's do this one small step at a time.

~5 min Always free
Buddy, your friendly guide

A text is just a short note you send from your phone. Let's send one together, nice and slow.

On most phones (iPhone and Android)
  1. Find your Messages app on your screen.
  2. Look for a small speech-bubble icon.
  3. Tap it once to open it.
  4. The app is almost always called Messages.
  5. A few Android phones call it Messaging.
  6. Look for a button to start a new message.
  7. It is often a pencil or a plus sign.
  8. Tap it. A new, empty message will open.
  9. Find the To box at the top.
  10. Tap a saved contact's name if you see it.
  11. Or type their full phone number, with the area code.
  12. Tap the wide empty box at the bottom.
  13. Type your short note there.
  14. To add a photo, look for a small camera or plus icon.
  15. Tap it, then pick a picture.
  16. When you are ready, look for the send button.
  17. It is a small arrow, usually blue or green.
  18. Tap it once to send your note.
Buddy, your friendly guide
Buddy’s tip

Practice by texting yourself, or a friend who knows you are learning. There is no wrong way and no rush.

Type your note, then tap the arrow to send it.

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Take it at your own pace. You can re-read this any time, and nothing here can break. Want a hand from AI later? Meet it gently.