Alright, let's get right to it! Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to quickly send a message to someone new on your iPad, but fumbled around trying to figure out how to add them to your contacts first? It can be a little less intuitive than you might expect. But don't worry, I'm here to guide you through the process step-by-step. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Initiating a New Message
This is where our journey begins! There are a couple of ways to kick things off.
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Option A: Starting from a Blank Canvas
- Look for the Messages app icon on your iPad's Home Screen or in your App Library. It's usually a green square with a white speech bubble inside. Tap on it to open the Messages app.
- Once the app is open, keep an eye out for the "New Message" icon. This typically looks like a square with a pencil inside or a plus (+) sign located in the top right corner of the screen. Tap on this icon.
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Option B: Replying to an Unknown Number
- If you've already received a message from someone not in your contacts, you'll see their phone number or email address in your message list.
- Tap on that message thread.
Step 2: Entering the Contact Information
Now that you've started a new message or selected an existing one from an unknown sender, let's get their details in.
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For a New Message:
- You'll see a field at the top labeled "To:". Tap in this field.
- Now, you have a choice:
- Typing the Number or Email: If you know the person's phone number or email address, simply type it directly into the "To:" field. As you type, your iPad might suggest existing contacts that match the entered digits or letters.
- Selecting from Existing Contacts: If the person is already in your Contacts app (but perhaps you just haven't messaged them before), you can tap the plus (+) button that appears to the right of the "To:" field. This will open your Contacts list, and you can scroll through or use the search bar at the top to find and select their name.
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For an Unknown Sender:
- At the top of the message thread, you'll see the phone number or email address of the sender.
- Tap on this phone number or email address. A menu will pop up.
Step 3: Adding to Contacts
This is the crucial step where we finally add the person to your iPad's Contacts.
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From a New Message:
- After you've entered the phone number or email address in the "To:" field, you might see a "Create New Contact" option appear below the field. Tap on this.
- Alternatively, if you've already sent a message, you might see an "i" (information) button next to the contact details at the top of the message thread. Tap on this "i" button. This will open a "Details" screen.
- On the "Details" screen, you'll find an option like "Create New Contact" or "Add to Existing Contact". Since we're adding a new contact, tap on "Create New Contact".
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From an Unknown Sender's Message:
- After tapping on the phone number or email address at the top of the message thread, you'll see a menu.
- Select either "Create New Contact" or "Add to Existing Contact". For a new contact, choose "Create New Contact".
Step 4: Filling in the Details
Now it's time to flesh out the contact information.
- You'll be taken to the "New Contact" screen in your Contacts app.
- Here, you can enter various details about the person, such as:
- First Name: Tap in the "First" field and type their first name.
- Last Name: Tap in the "Last" field and type their last name.
- Company: If applicable, you can add their company name.
- Phone: The phone number you entered earlier should already be populated. You can add other phone numbers if needed by tapping "add phone". You can also label the phone number (e.g., "Mobile," "Home," "Work").
- Email: Similarly, the email address should be there. You can add more email addresses by tapping "add email" and label them.
- Other Fields: Feel free to explore other fields like "Notes," "URL," "Address," "Birthday," and more to add any relevant information.
Step 5: Saving the New Contact
Almost there!
- Once you've entered all the desired information, look for the "Done" button in the top right corner of the "New Contact" screen.
- Tap "Done".
Congratulations! You've successfully added a new contact through the Messages app on your iPad. Now you can easily find and message this person in the future.
How to... Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions related to adding contacts on your iPad through the Messages app:
How to add a contact if I only have their phone number?
Follow the steps for starting a new message, entering the phone number in the "To:" field, and then selecting "Create New Contact."
How to add a contact if I only have their email address?
The process is very similar to adding via phone number. Start a new message, enter the email in the "To:" field, and choose "Create New Contact."
How to add someone to an existing contact?
When you get to Step 3, instead of choosing "Create New Contact," select "Add to Existing Contact" and then search for and select the contact you want to add the new information to.
How to edit a contact I've added through Messages?
Open the Contacts app, find the contact you want to edit, tap on their name, and then tap "Edit" in the top right corner.
How to delete a contact I've added?
Open the Contacts app, tap on the contact you want to delete, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Delete Contact". Confirm your decision.
How to block a contact I've added (or haven't added)?
In the Messages app, open the conversation with the contact (or the unknown number). Tap the "i" button at the top, scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller".
How to see the contacts I've added?
Open the Contacts app. All your saved contacts will be listed there.
How to import contacts from a SIM card to my iPad?
iPads don't directly read SIM cards. You'll usually need to import contacts to an account like iCloud or Gmail on your previous device and then ensure that account is set up on your iPad to sync contacts.
How to export my iPad contacts?
You can export your contacts through iCloud (by going to iCloud.com and exporting as a vCard) or by using third-party apps designed for contact management.
How to troubleshoot if the "Create New Contact" option doesn't appear?
Ensure you've actually entered a valid phone number or email address in the "To:" field. Sometimes, if the format isn't recognized, the option might not appear immediately. Also, make sure your iPad's software is up to date.
I hope this comprehensive guide helps you effortlessly add new contacts through your iPad's Messages app! Let me know if you have any more questions.
