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Table of Contents

Send photos and videos in Messages on iPad

In the Messages app , you can send messages with photos and videos. You can also edit the photos and videos before you send them and share, save, or print attachments.

Note: Your carrier may set size limits for attachments; iPad may compress photo and video attachments when necessary.

Send a photo or video

In Messages, do any of the following while writing a message:
- Take a photo within Messages: Tap , frame the shot in the viewfinder, then tap .
- Take a video within Messages: Tap , choose Video mode, then tap .
- Choose an existing photo or video: Tap to see recent shots, then swipe up to search or browse through all photos and albums.
Tap to send your message or to cancel.

A conversation in Messages including a collection of photos of people and flowers next to a Save button.

If you receive multiple photos or videos at the same time, they’re automatically grouped into a collage (two to three items) or a stack (four or more). You can swipe through a stack to view, reply, or interact with each photo or video individually.

To save a photo or video, tap next to the photo or stack.

Note: You can turn communication safety on or off on a family member’s device. When you turn on this setting, the Messages app can detect nudity in photos on your child’s device before the photos are sent or received, and provides resources to help your child handle the situation (not available in all countries or regions). Apple doesn’t get access to the photos as a result of this feature.

Mark up or edit a photo

You can mark up or edit a photo before you send it in a Messages conversation.

Tap below the text field, then choose a photo.
Tap the photo in the message bubble, then do any of the following:
- Tap Markup, use the Markup tools to draw on the photo, then tap Save.
- Tap Edit, then use the photo editing tools to edit the photo.
Tap Done, add a message (optional), then tap to send the photo, or tap to remove the photo from the message bubble.

Add camera effects to a photo or video

When you take a photo or video in a Messages conversation, you can add camera effects to it—such as filters, stickers, labels, and shapes.

In a Messages conversation, tap , then choose Photo or Video mode.
Tap , then do any of the following:
- Tap , then choose a filter to apply to your picture.
- Tap to add a text label, or to add a shape.
- Tap to add a Memoji sticker, or to add an emoji sticker.
Tap to close the effect window.
Tap to take a photo or to record video.
Tap Done to add the photo or video to the message bubble, where you can add a message, or tap to send the photo or video directly.

Work with attachments

In a conversation, you can do any of the following with attachments:

Save an attachment: Tap to the right of the message bubble containing the attachment.
Share, copy, save, or print an attachment: Tap the attachment, then tap and choose an option.
Save or copy an attachment: Touch and hold the attachment, then tap Save or Copy.
Forward a message or attachment: Touch and hold a message or attachment, tap More, select additional items if desired, then tap .
Delete an attachment: Touch and hold a message or attachment, tap More, select additional items if desired, then tap .

Note: Attachments you send over iMessage (such as photos or videos) may be uploaded to Apple and encrypted so that no one but the sender and receiver can access them. To improve performance, your device may automatically upload attachments to Apple while you’re composing a message. If your message isn’t sent, the attachments are deleted from the server after several days.

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iPad User Guide

Send photos and videos in Messages on iPad

Send a photo or video

Mark up or edit a photo

Add camera effects to a photo or video

Work with attachments