How to Send Photos from iPhone in the Messages App (2023)

* This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

If you want to send a picture in the Messages app, you'll need to know where to find your photos. This process has changed a bit with recent iOS updates; here's how to share pictures via text message on your iPhone. 

Related: How to Share iCloud Photos with Android Phones (Updated for iOS 15)

iPhone Life
Discover your iPhone's hidden features
Get one daily tip each day (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

Why You'll Love This Tip

  • Improve text messages by including photos and videos. 
  • Easily share your Photos app content with friends and family.

How to Send Photos from iPhone in a Text Message

Adding a picture to a text message in Apple's Messages app used to be quick and easy; you just tapped the little camera icon to the left of the text field, chose an image or multiple images to attach, and sent your text as usual. Things have changed a bit, but here's how to add a photo to a text message on your iPhone. For more great photo-sharing tutorials, check out our free Tip of the Day

  1. Open the Messages app and start a new message thread, or continue a thread you've already started.

    apple messages app
     
  2. If you don't see the Messages app bar, tap the App Store icon to open it.

    app store icon in messages app
     
  3. Tap the Photos app icon within the app bar.

    tap the photos app icon
     
  4. Scroll through recent photos, or tap All Photos to find older pictures.

    tap all photos
     
  5. Tap up to twenty photos, or a video of up to 3.5 minutes in length, then tap Add.

    tap add after choosing photos to share
     
  6. If you accidentally select a photo you don't want to share, tap the X in the upper-left corner to remove it. 
  7. Add text if desired, then tap the Send icon to send your text as usual.

    tap the send icon to share photos
Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

Author Details

Leanne Hays's picture

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.