How to Pin Conversations in the Messages App to Find Them More Easily (iOS 17)

By Leanne Hays Updated 09/05/2023

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The Messages app allows iPhone users to pin their most important contacts and group texts to the top of the Messages app, making it faster and easier to send a text message to the people you message the most. You can pin up to nine text threads, and if you change your mind, it's just as easy to unpin contacts in Messages. We'll walk you through both!

Why You'll Love This Tip:

No more searching for buried conversation threads; pin your favorites to the top of the screen in Messages instead.
Keep track of plans made in group messages by pinning the conversation.

How to Pin Messages on iPhone

System Requirements

This tip works on iPhones running iOS 16 or later. Find out how to update to the latest version of iOS.

When you pin a contact in Messages on iPhone, the conversation thread with that person stays at the top as an icon so that you can easily tap into and read the conversation at a moment's notice, without having to search iPhone messages to find what you're looking for. If you like learning about hidden iPhone tricks and features, try signing up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter! Here's how to pin contacts in Messages on iPhone:

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Open the Messages app.
Find and long-press the text message (not the contact icon) from the person or group you'd like to pin.

Tap Pin in the menu that appears.
Your contact will now be pinned to the top of your Messages list.

If you want to unpin your chosen contact, long-press the icon you want to remove, then tap Unpin.

Now you know how to keep messages at the top of the Messages app on iPhone!

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Author Details

Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays has over a dozen years of experience writing for online publications. As a Feature Writer for iPhone Life, she has authored hundreds of how-to, Apple news, and gear review articles, as well as a comprehensive Photos App guide. Leanne holds degrees in education and science and loves troubleshooting and repair. This combination makes her a perfect fit as manager of our Ask an Expert service, which helps iPhone Life Insiders with Apple hardware and software issues.
In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.

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