Sending pictures from your iPhone 6s Plus is straightforward, with multiple options available depending on your recipient and desired quality. The most common method involves using the built-in Messages app, but you can also leverage email, cloud services, and other apps for sharing.
Sending Pictures via Messages (iMessage & MMS)
The Messages app on your iPhone 6s Plus allows you to send photos to contacts, whether they use an iPhone (via iMessage) or another type of phone (via MMS).
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to send a picture directly through the Messages app:
- Open Messages: Tap the Messages icon on your iPhone's home screen.
- Start a New Message: Tap the new message icon, typically located in the top-right corner of the screen (it looks like a pen and paper).
- Add Recipient: In the "To" field, begin typing the name or phone number of the person you want to send the picture to.
- Select Contact: Choose the correct contact from the suggestions that appear.
- Compose Message (Optional): Tap the text input field to type a message accompanying your picture, if desired.
- Attach Photo: Tap the camera icon situated to the left of the text input field.
- Select from Photos: Tap Photos (or Camera Roll/Library) to access your photo library. Navigate through your albums or folders to find the picture(s) you wish to send.
- Choose Picture(s): Select one or more photos by tapping them. A checkmark will appear on selected images.
- Send: Once your photos are selected, tap the Send button (usually an upward-pointing arrow) to dispatch your picture message.
iMessage vs. MMS:
- iMessage: If you're sending to another Apple device user, your message will send as an iMessage (blue bubble) using Wi-Fi or cellular data, typically retaining higher quality.
- MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service): If sending to a non-Apple device, your message will send as an MMS (green bubble) via your cellular data plan. MMS messages might be subject to file size limits and compression by your carrier, which could reduce photo quality.
For more details on using messages, you can refer to Apple's official support: Send and receive messages on iPhone.
Alternative Ways to Share Photos
Beyond the Messages app, your iPhone 6s Plus offers several other powerful methods for sharing photos, each suited for different scenarios.
Email is an excellent option for sending high-resolution images or multiple photos without significant compression.
- How to Use: Open the Photos app, select the picture(s), tap the Share icon (a square with an arrow pointing up), and then choose Mail. Compose your email and send.
- Best For: Sending professional-quality images, large batches of photos, or when the recipient is not nearby or doesn't use the same messaging apps.
AirDrop
AirDrop allows you to quickly and wirelessly share photos with other Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, Macs) that are nearby. It uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so it doesn't consume cellular data and maintains original quality.
- How to Use: Ensure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled and AirDrop set to "Contacts Only" or "Everyone." In the Photos app, select your picture(s), tap the Share icon, and then choose AirDrop. Select the recipient's device from the list.
- Best For: Fast, high-quality sharing with nearby Apple users.
- Learn more about AirDrop: How to use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Cloud Services
Cloud storage services like iCloud Photos, Google Photos, or Dropbox enable you to upload your pictures to the cloud and then share them via a link or direct sharing features within the service.
- How to Use:
- iCloud Photos: Enable iCloud Photos in your iPhone settings. Once uploaded, you can share individual photos or entire albums by generating a shareable link from the Photos app.
- Google Photos/Dropbox: Download the respective app, upload your photos, and then use their built-in sharing features to send links or invite collaborators to albums.
- Best For: Sharing large collections of photos, freeing up device storage, accessing photos from any device, and long-term storage solutions.
- More on iCloud Photos: Set up and use iCloud Photos.
Third-Party Messaging Apps
Many popular messaging and social media applications, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Telegram, have built-in features for sending pictures.
- How to Use: Open the app, go to a chat or post creation screen, and look for an attachment or photo icon (often a camera or gallery icon). Select your pictures from your device's library within the app.
- Best For: Communicating and sharing with specific groups or individuals who use these platforms, often with integrated chat functionalities. Be aware that most of these apps compress photos to save data.
Comparison of Sharing Methods
Here's a quick overview to help you choose the best method for your needs:
Method | Best For | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Messages | Quick shares to contacts, everyday use | Integrated, simple for one-off shares | MMS can compress images, potential data usage |
High-resolution images, larger files | Maintains original quality, universally compatible | Can be slower for recipient, requires good internet connection | |
AirDrop | Nearby Apple devices | Extremely fast, no quality loss, uses no cellular data | Limited to Apple devices, requires physical proximity |
Cloud Services | Large libraries, long-term access, sharing | Access photos anywhere, frees device storage, easy link sharing | Requires internet access for upload/download, storage limits for free tiers |
Third-Party Apps | Social sharing, specific user groups | Convenient within specific app ecosystems, often free to use | Often compresses photos, recipient needs the same app |
Your iPhone 6s Plus provides a versatile set of tools to share your memories effortlessly, ensuring you can connect with friends and family no matter how they prefer to receive pictures.