Start a text conversation. Tap , then enter a phone number or email address, or tap and choose a contact.

Resume a conversation. Tap the conversation in the Messages list.

Hide the keyboard. Tap in the lower-right corner.

Use picture characters. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard, then tap Emoji to make that keyboard available. Then while typing a message, tap to bring up the Emoji keyboard.

See what time a message was sent or received. Drag any bubble to the left.

Make a FaceTime call to the person you're texting. Tap Contact at the top of the screen, then tap .

See a person's contact info. Tap Contact at the top of the screen, then tap. Tap info items to perform actions, such as making a FaceTime call.

See earlier messages in the conversation. Tap the status bar to scroll to the top. Tap Load Earlier Messages, if necessary.

Send messages to a group. Tap , then enter multiple recipients.

Block unwanted messages. On a contact card, tap Block this Caller. To see someone's contact card while viewing a message, tap Contact, then tap . You can also block callers in Settings > FaceTime > Blocked. You won't receive FaceTime calls or text messages from blocked callers. For more information about blocking calls, see support.apple.com/kb/HT5845.