A method and apparatus are provided for communicating text messages between a first terminal and at least one second terminal that are connected by a communications network. Initially, the terminals communicate according to a first mode in which all the characters of a validated message are transmitted at the validation of said message. Then, the terminals switch into a second communication mode in which each character of a message is transmitted following its introduction on a keypad. The switching from the first mode into the second mode takes place when a terminal, while it is introducing a message, receives at least one signal indicating the introduction of a character on the keyboard of the other terminal.