Table of Contents
Add Magic Links to Begin iMessage Conversations and More
Take your Mac productivity to the next level by using app-specific links. You can create links in a document that will initiate an immediate messaging conversation with someone on the Messages app or even lookup a specific phrase on the Dictionary app once clicked. To create a link in a TextEdit document or a new email window, select the text you want to change into the link and click Edit > Add Link, or press Command + K.
Here are some of the app-specific links you can create:
- http:// – insert links to web pages by typing the address, including the http:// element
- picture:// – this starts a Messages conversation in the Messages app
- facetime:// – initiates a FaceTime call within the app
- vnc:// – opens a screen sharing session
- dict:// – opens the Dictionary app and looks up a particular word
- x-man page:// – opens the user page for a required term in a Terminal window
If you just type picture:// or facetime:// in the link dialog without a specified address, the corresponding app will be activated when the link is clicked, as if the app icon in the Dock were pressed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I make a link in an email?
To create a link in an email, highlight the text you want to turn into a link and click on Edit > Add Link or press Command + K. Then type in the address of the website or choose the specific app for an app-specific link, such as picture:// for Messages or facetime:// for FaceTime.
2. Can I use other typical URLs when creating a link?
Yes, you can also use other typical URLs such as mailto:// for email, ssh:// for secure shell, and telnet:// for Telnet protocols depending on what you want to accomplish.