Understanding and Customizing the Messages App on iPhone
The Messages app on the iPhone is a powerful tool for staying connected, but making the most of it requires adjusting a few key settings. These settings help ensure messages are delivered to the right devices and keep conversations organized.
How to Access the Messages Settings
All settings for the Messages app can be found in the iPhone’s Settings app. To access them, open Settings and scroll down to Messages. In iOS 18 and later, Apple has grouped app settings into a dedicated Apps section, meaning users must first tap Apps and then select Messages. If using an earlier version of iOS, the Messages settings will appear directly in the main settings list.
Ensuring Messages Appear on All Apple Devices
By default, iMessages messages sent between Apple devices appear on all Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account. However, standard text messages (SMS) from non-Apple devices do not automatically sync to iPads or Macs. To fix this, the Text Message Forwarding setting must be enabled.
This setting ensures that text messages received on an iPhone from non-Apple devices are also sent to other Apple devices. To enable it, open Text Message Forwarding in the Messages settings and check that all personal Apple devices are turned on. If a new iPad or Mac is added, this setting may be turned off by default, so it is important to check periodically. This setting is only available if the iPhone has an active cellular plan.
Organizing Messages with Filtering
A useful feature in the Messages app is Message Filtering, which helps organize incoming messages by separating known contacts from unknown senders. When enabled, the Messages app groups messages into different categories, making it easier to find important conversations while keeping spam or unknown messages separate.
To turn this on, go to the Messages settings and enable Message Filtering. Once activated, the Messages app adds filtering options that allow users to switch between Known Senders, Unknown Senders, and other message categories. This feature is especially helpful for keeping spam messages from cluttering the main inbox.
Enhancing Messages with Effects
Messages can be made more engaging by adding text effects and screen effects. Text effects allow words to be animated, while screen effects apply visual effects to the entire message screen. These features make conversations more dynamic and expressive.
To use these effects, type a message, then press and hold the send button. A menu will appear with options for adding text effects, such as Invisible Ink, which hides the message until it is swiped. The Screen Effects tab offers full-screen animations, including balloons, fireworks, and confetti, making messages more fun and interactive.
Viewing and Managing Attachments
The Messages app also makes it easy to find and manage photos, videos, and other attachments that have been shared in a conversation. Instead of scrolling through old messages to find a picture or file, users can quickly access all shared media in one place.
To do this, open a conversation, tap on the contact’s name at the top, and scroll down to see all the attachments exchanged in that conversation. This allows photos, videos, and documents to be reviewed and saved without searching through the entire chat history.
Sending and Receiving Messages
The Messages app supports both individual and group conversations. To start a new message, tap the compose button in the top-right corner, select a contact, and begin typing. Messages sent to Apple devices appear in blue (iMessages), while messages sent to non-Apple devices appear in green (SMS).
If a message does not send, it may mean the recipient does not have an internet connection, or the iPhone is set to send only iMessages. In this case, checking the settings for Send as SMS can help ensure messages are delivered when iMessage is unavailable.
Conclusion
The Messages app on the iPhone is more than just a simple texting tool—it includes settings and features that improve the messaging experience. Enabling Text Message Forwarding ensures messages from non-Apple users appear on all devices. Message Filtering helps keep conversations organized. Message Effects add a fun and expressive touch, while the ability to view all shared attachments makes it easier to find important photos and files.
By understanding and customizing these features, messaging on the iPhone becomes more efficient, organized, and enjoyable.