Let’s start with the basics. SMS or short message service is a communication system which allows the sending of short text based messages. This is the most widely used data application on the planet with approximately 2.4 billion active users. Each message will typically involve 160 characters including spaces. This may vary from phone to phone.

SENDING MESSAGES

All phones will have a different way to access the sending messages option so this one is based on the Nokia 6300 phone. (Instructions imply phone is turned off)

1. Press and hold the button on the top of the phone till the phone lights up.
2. Enter pin code if required. If not ignore this step.
3. Press left on your navigational pad to automatically be directed to messaging.
4. Go to add by pressing the middle button in-between the navigational pad to find a contact stored in your phone.
5. If you do not have the person u are trying to message in your phone just simply put in the number using the numerical pad.
6. Press down on your navigational pad to get to writing the message.

Now this is the tricky part to messaging. Each number has 3-4 letters assigned to it except 1 and 0. Press each number once to get a letter. Press that number twice within a short period to get a different letter and so on. So press 1 once to get an a. press it once again to get a b. and three times to get a c. the number 1 includes full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, coma’s and so on. 0 is used for spaces.

Please practice putting in the following message to see if you are ready to move onto the next step. ‘If you are able to read this on your phone you may proceed.’

RECEIVING MESSAGES

This part will show you how to receive messages sent by someone else to you.

1. If the message has only just been received view it by pressing the middle button in-between the navigational pad.
2. Alternatively if you want to view a message received earlier go to menu by pressing the middle button in-between the navigational pad. This will show you 6 icons.
3. Go to messaging in the top left corner by using the navigational pad.
4. Go down using the navigational pad to inbox.
5. This will show you in order from last received the messages stored on your phone. Scroll down using the navigational pad until you find the message you wish to view.
6. press the middle button in-between the navigational pad once you have found it and scroll down using the navigational pad if not all the message is being shown.
7. To reply simply press the middle button in-between the navigational pad and use the direction from writing a message from step 6.

So there you go. You now know how to send and receive messages. Now to learn about deciphering texts.

WHAT THE HELL

DID THIS GUY/GIRL

JUST SAY?

So by now I bet your wondering what lol is or even np. These are just shortened ways to write laugh out loud or no problem. Why don’t they just write that u may ask? As you have limited space and characters in text messages people do this to shorten their texts to fit more in. just for you I will list the most common words and abbreviations to help you out.

AEAP = As early as possible.

ASAP = As soon as possible.

B/F = Boyfriend.

B4 = Before.

COS = Because.

CYA = See ya.

FYI = For your information.

G/F = Girlfriend.

GB = Goodbye

GR8 = Great.

JK = Just kidding.

LOL = laugh out loud.

MSG = message.

PLS = Please.

QIK = Quick.

STR8 = Straight.

SUP = What’s up?

TC = Take care.

THX = Thanks.

ZZZZ = Sleeping.

Of course these may change from person to person but these are what most people use. Also there are constantly new words being shortened so they may be used in texts more frequently so at first you may have a hard time figuring these out. The more you try the more you learn. So go out there and starting texting today. But make sure u set a limit or keep an eye on your credit. You don’t want something important to come up and not have any credit with you. Trust me I learnt the hard way.