Can the Text Message Box on Mac be Larger?

Question

Can the Text Message Box on Mac be Larger?

Can the Text Message Box on Mac be Larger? Is it possible to increase the size of the text message box (the window you type in) when using iMessage on a Mac? I find it odd that even when iMessage is open to full screen on my Mac, the box or window into which I type my message is tiny, and located at the very bottom of the screen. Literally 3/4 of the screen is un-used. I wish I could enlarge the size of the box, or at least move it to the top of the screen. Is this possible?

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Jan 31, 2016 4:20 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 1, 2016 12:32 PM in response to lacfromannapolis

Hi,

Partly yes.

8:32 pm Monday; February 1, 2016

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

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Answer 2

Feb 1, 2016 12:44 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Oh, you wanted more ?

(I Did realise that and was typing this whilst you were posting back)

Two ways.

1) (not very much) Go to the Preferences > General Section and slide the Text Size Slider to the right.

This has some, but a minimal effect.

2) In System Preferences > Accessibility and click the Display item in the left hand list.

On the right then click to enable Reduced Transparency.

Now Restart Messages for that to take effect then go back to the Preferences. You can now change the Font to Other.

Then Select the Font and Size

As this changes both the Text Entry Field size and the actual Messages this might not be what you want either.

But the answer is yes. It can be changed.

8:43 pm Monday; February 1, 2016

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

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Answer 3

Feb 2, 2016 1:00 PM in response to lacfromannapolis

Hi,

There is a third way.

Click in the Text Entry Field and then hold down the ALT key whilst click the Enter key.

This enters a Line break (adds paragraphs if you like).

This "Spaces" the text Entry Field by as many lines as you want.

I must admit to never using the app in Full Screen Mode as I have 9 Buddy Lists on show as well as the main window.

(I have used iChat since iChat 2 and have it's operation very much ingrained).

9:00 pm Tuesday; February 2, 2016

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Reply

Answer 4

Feb 1, 2016 7:02 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi again. I finally had a chance to implement your suggestions. They definitely helped in that the font is now even larger than the maximum font size allowed under the standard Preferences. However, just as you said, it doesn't enlarge the text box itself. I don't understand why the Mac designers crammed the text box all the way to the bottom of the screen, made it only one line high, and did not allow users to enlarge it. Oh well, thanks for your help, it's definitely better than before!

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Answer 5

Feb 3, 2016 7:00 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi again Ralph. Your third suggestion helped a little -- by holding down the ALT key and hitting Enter, it allowed me to add a couple lines, but no more. Hey every little bit helps ... thanks again!

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Answer 6

Eric Root

Level 10

685,257 points

Feb 2, 2016 11:40 AM in response to lacfromannapolis

Send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem solved sooner.

Feedback

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Answer 7

Feb 1, 2016 12:36 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

That's good to know. Please tell me how.

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Answer 8

Feb 3, 2016 6:55 PM in response to Eric Root

Good suggestion ... I just did that ... thanks!

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