Before you start
You need a HiFi number to send text messages. If you only use call forwarding, see “Turn on text messaging”.
How do I send a new text message?
Send a new text from the Messages tab. You can text someone in your contacts or any phone number you haven’t saved.
Tap the Messages tab at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the new message button (pencil icon) at the top of the screen.
Type a contact’s name, or enter a phone number.
Type your message in the text field at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the send button.
HiFi sends your message from your HiFi number. The person you’re texting doesn’t need HiFi. They reply from their phone’s normal messaging app.
Can I text someone from their contact or a call?
Yes. You can start a text from a contact, a call, or a call summary:
From a contact: open the Contacts tab, tap the contact, and tap Message.
From a call: tap the call in Call Activity on Home, open the menu in Call Details, and tap Message.
From a call summary or transcript: tap a highlighted phone number, then tap Send message.
If you already have a conversation with that person, HiFi opens it so you can pick up where you left off.
How do I reply in an existing conversation?
Open the Messages tab and tap the conversation. Earlier messages appear in the thread, with the newest at the bottom. Every message shows a timestamp.
Conversations with saved contacts show the contact’s name. Conversations with numbers you haven’t saved show the phone number and are marked as unknown. For more about unknown numbers, see “Messages from unknown senders”.
How do I send a group text?
Add more than one recipient when you start a new message. HiFi creates a Group message that everyone in the group can reply to.
Tap the Messages tab.
Tap the new message button (pencil icon) at the top of the screen.
Add each person by name or phone number.
Type your message.
Tap the send button.
Group members don’t need HiFi. They send and receive group messages in their phone’s normal messaging app.
How do I see who’s in a group?
Open the group conversation and tap its name at the top of the screen. HiFi shows Group members with the number of people in the group, for example Group members (4). Check this list before you send so you know who will receive your message.
Troubleshooting
My message says “Not sent, tap to resend”: Check your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection, then tap the message to try again.
“This recipient has opted out of messages.”: The recipient has chosen not to receive texts from your number. HiFi can’t deliver messages to them.
“Too many messages sent. Try again shortly.”: You’ve hit a temporary sending limit. Wait a few minutes and try again.
I can’t find the Messages tab or it says “Enable text messaging”: You need a HiFi number. See “Turn on text messaging”.
Related articles
“Turn on text messaging”
“Send photos, videos, and files”
“Filter, search, and manage conversations”
“Messages from unknown senders”