The Messages app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac allows you to pin both individual and group conversations to the top of the Messages app screen. This lets you quickly access conversations that you participate in regularly. Plus, you’ll see an indicator for recent conversations and can see messages as they’re coming in.
For the full scoop, here’s how to pin conversations in Apple Messages app.
How to pin conversations in Messages
Pinning a conversation in Messages is super simple. Tap and hold the conversation in your list of messages and select Pin from the shortcut menu. On Mac, right-click the conversation and choose Pin.
You’ll then see that conversation pinned to the top of your message list.
To unpin a conversation, tap and hold it and select Unpin from the shortcut menu. On Mac, right-click the conversation and pick Unpin. You can also Hide Alerts or Delete a conversation from that menu if needed.
Indicators for pinned conversations
Upon receiving a new message for a pinned conversation, a blue dot appears below that pin. You’ll also see recent replies and Tapbacks. And if you happen to have Messages open when a message is on its way, you’ll see that lovely typing indicator on the pinned conversation.
For pinned group conversations, you’ll see the three recent participants circle around the pin when they send a message.
Rearrange chat heads
As you pin each chat, it will fall next in line in the grid at the top. But maybe you want your most favorite contact’s conversation always in the same spot. You can rearrange the pinned conversations easily — simply drag a pinned conversation where you want it, then release.
You’ll see the other pins move around and out of the way.
Pinned conversations limit
You can pin up to nine conversations at the top of your list. And once you hit that limit, you’ll see a friendly message.
Using Messages with iCloud, those conversations you pin will sync across your devices, and pinned conversations do show up in searches you perform in Messages, too.
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