In this comprehensive guide, we cover over 65 tips for the Apple Messages app on your iPhone or iPad to help you use it like a pro and take your texting to the next level.
You likely already know many of the tips listed here, but there may be some that you don’t that will make you say, “Wow! iMessage can do this? I never knew!”
Furthermore, several things mentioned here are also available in the Messages app for Mac.
1. Lock the Messages app
Touch and hold the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad and tap Require Face ID to lock your personal conversations and keep them private from people who may have access to your unlocked phone.
2. Schedule messages
The Messages app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS lets you schedule messages up to 14 days in advance. All you need to do is tap the plus button on the conversation screen and use the Send Later option.
3. Format text
When plain text isn’t enough to convey your message, you can spice it up by formatting it or adding some animation to it. Simply type what you want to say, tap the A icon above the keyboard, and pick a style.
4. Edit sent message
Apple allows you to edit a sent message up to five times within 15 minutes of sending it. Just touch and hold the message bubble and tap Edit.
5. Recall a message
Instead of editing a message, you can undo sending it by touching and holding the sent message. However, remember that you only have 2 minutes to do this after hitting send.
6. Create personal Genmoji
You can use Apple Intelligence to create special emojis — called Genmojis — to add some fun to your texting. You can do this right on the conversation screen by tapping the plus button, followed by choosing Genmoji and describing your idea.
7. Reply to a specific message in the conversation
If someone sends you several messages, you can reply individually to each message in a thread. And they can do the same. It actually ends up being a conversation inside a conversation.
To reply to a specific message, simply tap and hold on a message and select Reply. Now, type and hit the send button.
When you or the recipient tap X Replies or any message in that string of replies, the entire thread of messages pops up, helping you see only that part of the conversation.
8. Convert iMessage into regular SMS
iMessage needs Wi-Fi or cellular connection to work.
Let’s imagine you’re using Wi-Fi or cellular, but the other person isn’t at the moment. When that happens, you won’t see the Delivered text below the iMessage you sent. If it’s urgent, tap and hold that message and select Send as Text Message. This will ensure that even if the person’s internet is off, they can still get your message as SMS, as long as their iPhone is connected to a mobile network.
Additionally, instead of doing that on a per-message basis, you can go to Settings > Apps > Messages and enable Send as SMS. After this, when you send an iMessage, and it isn’t delivered in about 5 minutes, your iPhone will automatically send this message as a regular SMS.
Note: If you iMessage someone on their email address and not their phone number, you won’t see the option to Send as Text Message. Instead, it will show Send to Email Address.
9. No headphones around? Listen to audio message via the earpiece
Imagine you’re in a public place with no headphones, and someone sends you an audio message on iMessage. Go to iPhone Settings > Apps > Messages and make sure Raise to Listen is enabled.
Now, go to the message conversation and simply lift your iPhone to your ear (like you do when talking on a call). The audio message will play via the top earpiece.
The intelligent part: Now, if you bring your iPhone down and bring it back up to your ear, it will automatically start recording your voice reply. Simply speak, and then hit the send button.
10. Play audio messages at a faster speed
If you get a lengthy voice message, touch and hold the triangle play button, and you get the option to play the audio at 1.25x, 1.5x, or 2x.
11. Send messages via satellite
When you’re hiking or camping in an area with no Wi-Fi or cellular connection, you can send texts to family members and emergency responders via satellite.
12. Send huge emojis
When you send one, two, or three emojis in a text, they are sent in a larger size (see the screenshot below). But if you add four or more emojis to a text, it’s sent in regular size.
13. Use custom stickers and Memoji as inline emoji in your text
You can add stickers and Memoji in between your text like a regular emoji. Simply type your text and then pick a sticker or Memoji from the emoji section of the iOS keyboard.
14. Use replies suggested by Apple Intelligence
When you get a text, Apple Intelligence may understand the context of that received message and suggest quick replies above the keyboard. Just tap to send that reply.
15. Have AI write or edit your message
Like other stock and third-party applications, Apple Intelligence Writing Tools are available in the Messages app. Just tap the text field and select Writing Tools. Now, use the tools there to rewrite your existing message or have ChatGPT compose one after you give it a brief description of what you want to say.
16. Just react to a message and move on
Sometimes, a conversation reaches a natural stopping point. When this happens, instead of replying with ok, hmm, aah ha, etc., you can simply press and hold the message and select an emoji. You can also drag an emoji or sticker from your keyboard and drop it over a text to add it as a reaction.
Note: Message emoji reactions are now also available on WhatsApp.
17. Convert iMessage text to emoji
After you have finished typing a message, tap the emoji key. It will automatically change the color of words that can be converted into an appropriate emoji. Simply tap that colored word, and it will replace that word with an emoji conveying the same message. See video.
18. Is the recipient special? Send a handwritten message in iMessage
Every chat and social app lets you send texts and emojis. But if someone is special, why not send a handwritten message or drawing once in a while?
To handwrite a message in iMessage:
- Option 1: Rotate your iPhone to landscape orientation and use the scribble key that pops up.
- Option 2: Tap the plus button, followed by Digital Touch. Now, draw or write using your finger on the black canvas. To make the canvas bigger, pull it up. When done, tap the send button.
19. Send a website link with quoted text
When you send a link to a web page, you can choose to include important text right in the message bubble. The receiver can read that quoted text even without visiting the link.
20. Send web links without previews
When you send a website link, Messages automatically shows the web page title and featured image in the message card. But if you don’t want to do that, just add a period (.) at the beginning and end of the URL, and it will be sent without the preview card.
21. Set up your iMessage profile to look sharp
You can use your name and a nice-looking photo as your iMessage profile. This will be visible to people you message on iMessage. However, if they have already set a contact photo for you, then they are asked if they want to update the image or use the one they have set.
22. Use Check In to let close people know you are safe
The Check In feature keeps your spouse or a family member informed of your location and safety when you’re going to a sketchy area or working out. It’s a lengthy topic and you can learn all about it in our dedicated tutorial.
23. Search for a specific text
Want to find a specific text quickly? Open the Messages app and pull down the conversation to reveal the search box. Type what you want to find and tap a result to go straight to that message.
24. Jump to the top of the conversation
To go to the beginning of the iMessage conversation, tap the Status Bar, where the time or battery icon is. This will instantly take you to the top of the conversation or the loaded messages.
Note: This tip works in nearly all iOS apps and helps you go to the top of a document, webpage, list, etc., in one tap, thus eliminating the need to scroll endlessly.
25. Have iMessage content appear in other apps
Imagine someone shared a weblink with you, but you’re doing some important work and can’t visit that link immediately.
In this case, there is an option called Shared with You that automatically shows you the link you received in iMessage inside Safari (or other appropriate apps) so that you can take the relevant action. You can learn about it with proper screenshots here.
For this, go to iPhone Settings > Apps > Messages > Shared with You. Now, choose the apps where you want the iMessage content to show up.
26. Use screen effects
Your iPhone automatically uses screen effects when you send someone a message like Happy Birthday, Happy New Year, or Congratulations. However, you can also manually use bubble and screen effects anytime you want.
Type a message and press and hold the blue send button instead of tapping it. Now, choose a bubble or full-screen effect and tap the send button.
27. Pin conversations on top
Newer texts and iMessage appear at the top and push down the older conversations. But you can easily pin important, meaningful conversations to the top by pressing it and selecting Pin.
28. See the message timestamp
Want to know the exact time a message was sent or received? Open a conversation, put a finger on the screen, and pull to the left. It will reveal the iMessage timestamp.
29. Save your messages to iCloud
You can keep your messages safe, up to date, and synced with all your Apple devices by enabling Messages in iCloud. To do that, go to iPhone Settings > your name from the top > iCloud > Messages and turn on Use on this iPhone.
30. Carry on iMessage from any Apple device
You aren’t limited to using iMessage only from your iPhone or iPad. You can use it on your other iPhone or iPad, as well as on your Apple Watch or Mac. So, while working, just launch the macOS Messages app and reply from there instead of picking up your iPhone.
Go inside the iMessage conversation and tap the FaceTime icon from the top left. Now, choose FaceTime Audio, FaceTime Video, Share My Screen, or Ask to Share Screen.
To make a normal call, tap the person’s name or photo and then tap call.
32. Don’t like calling? Send a voice note
If you don’t want to make a call but still want the convenience/meaningfulness of speaking your message, touch & hold the audio note icon in the message typing box or hit the plus button and choose Audio. Now, speak what you want to say, review it by tapping the triangle play button, and if it’s ok, hit the send arrow.
33. Don’t feel like typing? Dictate a message
You can use the dictation feature if you don’t want to type but still want to send a written message. For this, tap the microphone icon from the lower right of the keyboard.
If you don’t see the mic icon, go to iPhone Settings > General > Keyboard and toggle on Enable Dictation.
34. Send PDF or ZIP file via iMessage
Did you know that you can easily send PDF, Word documents, and ZIP files via iMessage? Head over to this step-by-step guide to learn how to do that.
35. Love GIFs? Find one and send it straight from iMessage
iMessage has a built-in tool to let you find GIFs quickly from inside the conversations screen. You don’t have to find one using a web browser and then save or copy it.
- Open an iMessage conversation, tap the plus button, and select #images.
- Use a GIF that’s popular or recommended to you based on the contents of your message. You can also tap the Find images search box and get the one you desire.
36. Like Memoji or Animoji? Use them in iMessage
You can record a fun animated Memoji with sound and send it via iMessage. This will even have the facial expressions you make.
- Tap the plus button on the conversation screen and select Memoji.
- Swipe to select a type, or you can also create a new Memoji.
- After selecting one (like a giraffe or whale), tap the red record button. Now, speak and make facial expressions for up to 30 seconds.
- When done, hit the blue send button.
37. Forward iMessages to others
You can easily forward a privately received message to someone else by following these steps:
- Press and hold the message you want to forward and select More.
- Tap the curved arrow from the lower right.
- Enter the name of the person you want to forward this message to, and hit the send arrow button.
38. Start a group chat
You can quickly start a group chat in iMessage and talk collectively.
- Open the Messages app and tap the compose button.
- Type the contact’s name and select the phone number or email that turns blue (which signifies that the person is on iMessage).
- After selecting the first person, type the name of another person and once again select their phone number or email that shows in blue color. You can follow this step to add several people.
39. Tag people in iMessage group chat
You can bring attention to a specific group member by typing @ before their name. This tags the person in that group message and generally means that this group message is especially for that tagged person.
Note: All the members can see the tagged messages within the group.
40. Get notified only if you’re mentioned in group chat
If a lot of action is going on in the group chat, and your notifications are blowing up, go to iPhone Settings > Apps > Messages and make sure Notify Me is enabled. Now, open the Messages app, touch and hold that group chat, and tap Hide Alerts.
From now on you won’t be notified by messages of this group chat. However, if someone tags your name in a group message (shown in tip 39 above), then you will get that notification.
This handy option ensures you aren’t bothered by all the group chats but still get to be in the loop for the messages that mention you.
41. Turn off repeated notification alerts for the same message
Are you annoyed by getting two alerts for the same message? Go to iPhone Settings > Notifications > Messages > Customize Notifications > Repeat Alerts and choose Never.
42. Let people know you’re having a quiet time
The Messages app can inform people that you’re focusing on something and may not reply immediately.
Go to iPhone Settings > Focus (like Do Not Disturb) > Focus Status and enable Share Focus Status. Next, go to the first screen of the Settings app, tap Apps > Messages, and ensure Focus is enabled under Allow Messages To Access section.
From now on, when Focus is active on your iPhone, and someone tries to message you, it will show them that you have silenced your notifications.
43. Stop iMessage from showing on your Lock Screen
Do you keep your iPhone lying around your house or office but don’t want anyone to read your incoming messages on the Lock Screen?
Go to iPhone Settings > Notifications > Messages and uncheck Lock Screen. New texts and iMessages won’t show up on the Lock Screen. This means no one else can read your incoming messages. But you can see them inside the Messages app or the Notification Center once you unlock your iPhone.
44. Have a safe drive and stop checking iMessage in your car
If you use CarPlay, you can prevent messages from bothering you while you are driving. To do that, open Settings and go to Notifications > Messages. From here, turn off Show in CarPlay.
45. Filter out unknown senders
iOS has a built-in filter that lists your messages from known and unknown senders. For this, go to iPhone Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown & Spam, and enable Filter Unknown Senders. Now, your messages will be sorted as Known Senders, Unknown Senders, and you can access them by tapping <Filters from the top left of the Messages app.
46. Do you have AirPods? Have Siri read out iMessage to you
If you use AirPods or a newer version of Powerbeats, you can go to Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications and turn on Announce Notifications. Next, tap Messages from below and choose to announce only important direct messages or for all.
47. Do you use Apple Pay? Send money via iMessage
You can easily send money to friends and family using Apple Cash and iMessage. And in case you accidentally sent the wrong amount, you have the option to cancel the payment!
You can share your location or live location via iMessage.
- Open a conversation and tap the name or photo from the top.
- Tap Share My Location and choose For 1 hour, Until End of Day, or Indefinitely. Alternatively, you can also request the person to share their location with you.
The recipient can see your live location in their Find My app or in the Messages app by tapping your name from the top of the iMessage conversation.
49. Enable a toggle to send images in full quality
You can choose to send pictures via iMessage in full quality by going to Settings > Apps > Messages and turning off Low Quality Image Mode.
50. Stop iMessage images from saving to your Photos app
Are you noticing that images you receive in iMessage show up in your iPhone’s Photos app? Follow this tutorial to stop it.
51. Add more email and choose a preferred one
You’re not restricted to using iMessage only with your phone number. You can add another email to iMessage and use that email or multiple emails for iMessage on the same device.
52. Use iMessage apps to add more features
You can use apps inside the Messages app that add more features to messaging or make things easier. When you search for an app on the App Store and if it says “iMessage App,” then you can use it inside the Messages app.
53. Declutter the list of iMessage apps
If there are several iMessage apps, you can turn off the toggle for ones you don’t need.
- Open the Settings app and head to Apps > Messages > iMessage Apps.
- Turn off the switch for apps you don’t want to see in the Messages app.
54. Add name and image for iMessage group chats
You can make group texting better by adding a name and group photo. All the members of the group see the group photo.
55. Hide read receipts for specific people
You can go to iPhone Settings > Apps > Messages and turn off Send Read Receipts. After this, people won’t know that you have read their message. However, instead of doing this for all contacts, you can also turn it off for that one annoying friend who sends you loads of messages and expects them to be immediately read and replied to. For this, go to their iMessage conversation and tap the name from the top. Next, turn off Send Read Receipts.
56. See the full library of media you sent or received for a conversation
Go to an iMessage conversation and tap the person’s photo or name from the top. Now, scroll down, and you will see all Photos, Links, etc., by that person. Tap See All to view all shared media. This includes all the pictures you sent and received.
57. Hide alerts only from a specific person
Let’s say you’re working and someone is sending tons of messages. In this case, open the Messages app, tap and hold on that specific conversation, and tap Hide Alerts. Now, you won’t be notified of messages from this person. You can also do this by tapping the name or photo and turning on Hide Alerts.
58. Someone bothering and misbehaving? Block them!
Don’t want to get messages from a specific person? You can easily add them to the block list.
Note: When you block a person, you will no longer get iMessage, text, normal calls, or FaceTime calls from that contact.
59. Audio messages automatically expire! Here’s how to keep them forever
Audio messages someone sends on iMessage expire automatically. But if they are valuable, go to iPhone Settings > Apps > Messages, and tap Expire under Audio Messages. Now, instead of After 2 Minutes, choose Never.
60. Low on iPhone storage? Clear your Messages app in a controlled way
If you don’t have enough free space on your iPhone, iMessage may be one of the culprits. You can go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages to see how much space your messages and their media are occupying. From here, you can tap Photos, Videos, GIFs and Stickers, etc., and delete them.
61. Quickly select unread messages and mark them as read
Open the Messages app and swipe down on the list of conversations with two fingers. This will select the messages quickly, and then you can tap Read to mark them as read. You can also tap Delete to get rid of the selected message conversations. See video.
62. Delete several iMessages of a conversation together
If you want to delete several texts of a specific conversation together, here’s how to do that:
- Open a Messages conversation, touch & hold the text, and select More from the menu.
- Select the message you want to delete
- Tap the trash icon.
63. Recover deleted messages
Just like with photos and emails, you can go to the Recently Deleted section of the Messages app and recover texts from there. But note that you have 30 days to do that from the date of deletion.
64. Set iPhone to delete old messages automatically
If you don’t want to delete messages manually, your iPhone can do it for you. To set your iPhone to delete messages automatically, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Keep Messages and choose 30 Days or 1 Year. Let’s say you selected 1 Year. This means that messages which are one year old will be deleted automatically.
65. Need a break? Turn off iMessage
Finally, a time may come when you think iMessage is too disturbing, and you just don’t want to silence notifications but disable it altogether. To do that, go to iPhone Settings > Apps > Messages and turn off the toggle for iMessage.
66. Transfer texts from one iPhone to another iPhone
If you move to another phone, you can use iCloud to securely transfer all your SMS and iMessage from your old iPhone to the new one.
What is your favorite Messages app tip?