Digital Trends

Apple ’s iMessage is a widely used messaging app with over1 billion active users . It was found in 2011 and is deeply integrated into Apple gadget , allowing iPhone , iPad , and Mac users to interchange textual matter messages , photo , video , and more seamlessly across weapons platform .

Over the years , Apple has insert many novel features to the Messages app . You probably expend some of them every day , but others are well-situated to overlook and forget about it . Below are a few of our favorite out of sight iMessage features — and ace you should be using if you are n’t already .

hidden iMessage features.

Digital Trends

Pinning messages

With iMessage , you’re able to communicate with both mortal and groups . However , sometimes , it can be dispute to go after meaningful conversations or specific content when you receive substance from multiple sources , such as organizations or companies . This is where content pinning come in . This characteristic give up you to save essential conversations or specific content at the top of your Messages app to get at them easily . Starting with iOS 14 , Apple allowed you to pin up to nine conversation at the top of the Messages app .

To pin a conversation , trail and drop it to the top of the Messages app . Alternatively , you’re able to long adjure on the conversation and selectPinfrom the pull - down card .

Mark messages as unread

We welcome many message daily , and when we see a new substance , we often feel the urge to open it like a shot . However , some message take a response , which can sometimes be forgotten if we do n’t reply immediately . alas , just opening a message can make it severe to remember to station a response after since it can get lose in the shuffle .

One fashion to ascertain of import messages are not omit is to mark them as unread . This helps isolate them from other messages and serves as a admonisher to address them later . To stigmatise a subject matter as unread on your iPhone , long public press on it , then selectMark as Unreadfrom the draw - down menu . Easy , no ? A dot on the leftover side stigma unread messages .

Message threads and tags

Starting with iOS 14 , Apple made it potential to reply directly to a substance within a conversation . This allows you to highlight specific messages or people , and it ’s particularly handy if you ’re in busy mathematical group conversation .

To do so , go into the conversation , then identify the message bubble to which you want to reply . Next , touch and hold that bubble , then tap theReplybutton . Type your message as you usually do , then choose theSendbutton .

When replying this manner , you also tag a specific person by type their name . This person might be part of the thread , and they ’ll find this mention on their gimmick .

Find deleted messages — and recover them

Have you ever unintentionally deleted a substance train of thought in iMessage ? It can be frustrative , but do n’t worry because there ’s a resolution . On your iPhone , you may view recently deleted message for up to 40 day before the system for good removes them from your twist . If you act quickly , you’re able to retrieve the content you think were lost everlastingly .

To retrieve delete messages on your iPhone , open up the Messages app and pink theEditbutton in the top - left quoin . Then , tapShow Recently blue-pencil .   Here , you ’ll find a list of deleted threads and the issue of messages lost in each thread .

Although you’re able to not read the train of thought from this page , you’re able to recover it by tapping the circle to the left wing and selectingRecoverat the bottom of the filmdom . After doing so , the subject matter will be restored to your primary substance page . instead , you’re able to tapRecover Allif you want to recover all of your deleted message at once .

Bubble and screen effects

text edition alone might not be enough to convey a message . That ’s wherescreen effect come in . The tools , which have been around for a few eld , include bubble effects , full - screen effects , photographic camera effects , and more .

To send a substance with a screen effect , press and hold theSendbutton rather than tapping it . This exhibit two alternative : house of cards and Screen effects . This set aside you to get off a substance with your bubble mosh into the sieve , a fancy pyrotechnic result , and more . Only other iMessage users will see these effects , however , so they wo n’t work if you ’re get off them to someone with anAndroid telephone set .

Shake to undo

I ’ll admit , the shake to undo feature film is one I did n’t know about until I sit down to indite this clause . no matter , it ’s genius . If you type out a message and do n’t like what you typed , you’re able to blue-pencil it entirely . All you have to do is sway your iPhone and then answer to the prompt on the screen .

The lineament works exactly how you ’d expect , but it does n’t form after sending the message . In other words , agitate your iPhone wo n’t unsend the message . However , even this is possibleif you ’re send a message to another Apple user and less than 15 minutes have communicate since you sent it .

Shift your keyboard

You may encounter situations where typing on a keyboard the duration of your iPhone using both hands may not be hard-nosed , such as when you have only one free hand useable . This is when the aptly describe one - handed keyboard comes in handy .

give the Messages app on your iPhone and start typing . spigot and hold theSmiley iconat the bottom left of the keyboard to get at the keyboard setting . select the option to have the keyboard move to the left or right side of the covert , depending on which hired man you opt . This will allow you to type well with one script .   you could utilise this creature anywhere the keyboard is on your equipment , not just the Messages app .

Hopefully , this list of hidden iMessage features will give you something new to try or remind you of a feature you might have forgotten . The Messages app is tamp full of great features , so relish them , whether you have aniPhone 15 Proor other Apple twist .