Messages is Apple’s chat app foriPhone, iPad, andMac, and it’s not just for sending texts and iMessages. There are many features within the app, and more arrivediOS 17too. But, many of Apple’s biggest Messages features are hidden in swipe gestures or buried inside the Settings app. Understanding a few key iMessage tips and tricks can both save time and limit unwanted interruptions.
How to remove yourself from group texts on iPhone and Android
Save your friendships – here’s how to quickly remove yourself, mute, or block a group text.
Messages can be used across multiple devices, syncing between them all when signed into the same Apple ID. That means that, while most will use these tips on an iPhone, many of the tricks below work with your iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch too. Here are our best tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Apple’s messaging platform.
1Use replies to create different threads in the same conversation
How to reply to a specific message
Messages include a reply feature that can make it easier to follow different threads within the same conversation.
Like many modern chat platforms, iMessage offers read receipts. And while it can be a useful way to let friends and family know you’ve seen their text, you may not want everyone to have that privilege. To disable read receipts for a specific contact:
Siri will read your texts to you, you just have to ask. Try saying, “Hey Siri, read my messages.”
3Pin your favorite contacts to the top
Designating your favorite people keeps them at the top of the Messages app
If you message with a friend or family member frequently, you can pin their name and photo to the top of Messages for easy access. As an added bonus, conversations with your besties won’t get lost when other people message you.
You can pin up to six message threads. You can also add and remove pins by tappingEditat the top of the main Messages interface and selectingEdit Pins.
4Customize iMessage apps
Prioritize your most-used iMessage tools to access them in fewer taps
You probably don’t need an explanation on how to send photos in Messages, but what you might not know is thatiOS 17introduced a shortcut that will save you multiple taps the next time you want to send your latest snaps to a contact. When sending a photo, instead of tapping “+",tap and hold the button. Doing so will automatically bring up your camera roll and image picker. you’re able to also double-tap the “+” icon to jump directly to the second page of iMessages Apps menu. It’s also possible to edit the order in which iMessage apps appear. Here’s how:
You can also remove apps from the list. Here’s how:
5Silence one conversation, not everyone
How to silence notifications from a specific message thread
Sometimes you want to prevent someone from blowing up your iPhone, without silencing your phone completely. Here’s how:
To turn alerts back on, swipe right to left on the message thread again and tap the bell symbol again.
6Share your location
How to share your current location with a contact in iMessage
We’ve all been there. You’re waiting to meet a friend and the two of you can’t find one another. The next time you find yourself in that situation, instead of sending a flurry of texts attempting to describe where you are, share your location. There are two ways to do this:
If you select ‘Share Indefinitely,’ you’ll appear in that contact’sFind My app, and they will also see your location at the top of their display when they tap on the information symbol under your contact name in your message thread in their Messages app.
7Customize your name and photo
How to edit your name and photo in iMessage
WithiOS 17, Apple revamped the operating system to give users more control over how their contact card appears when they text or call someone. Incidentally, the easiest way to edit your card is through Messages. Here’s how:
If you don’t want iOS 17 to share your name and photo automatically with contacts, tap the dropdown menu next toShare Automaticallyand selectAlways Ask.
8Create and send art to your friends
How to handwrite a message in iMessage
Did you know you can use Messages to send handwritten notes to your friends and family? It’s not the most practical way to use the app, but it does add a bit of humanity and charm to your messages.
9Clear the clutter by quickly deleting messages
How to delete multiple message threads in iMessage
Most iPhone users know how to delete single conversation threads in Messages, but if I had to take a guess, a lot of people don’t know they can delete multiple ones at once to save time.
Instead ofDelete, you can tapRead Allto mark a selection of messages as read.
10Start a FaceTime right from Messages
How to make a FaceTime call from iMessage
If you’re chatting with someone and want to jump on a FaceTime call with them, you don’t need to open the FaceTime app. Instead, you can call them directly from Messages.
The option to start a FaceTime call directly from Messages will only appear if the person you are trying to call has an Apple device connected to iMessage.
