I’ve a love/hate relationship with the Messages app on my iPhone. Positive, it’s an ideal app that’s gotten loads of new options lately. Then again, it could rapidly turn into overwhelming when you obtain loads of messages – and iOS doesn’t do a nice job of serving to you handle these messages by default.
Listed below are three suggestions I’ve discovered that assist me maintain the Messages app below management.
Filtering unknown senders
Do you know that iOS has a characteristic that allows you to filter your Messages app by identified and unknown senders? Over time, I’ve discovered that most individuals don’t learn about this characteristic – and it’s a recreation changer. Right here’s learn how to allow this setting:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and select “Messages”
- Toggle on the “Filter Unknown Senders” choice

As soon as turned on, the Messages app will type messages from people who find themselves not in your contacts right into a separate listing. Within the Messages app, you’ll see a brand new “Filters” arrow within the upper-left nook the place you may select to view all messages, identified senders, unknown senders, or unread messages.
Delete autofill texts
For years, iOS has robotically stuffed in two-factor authentication codes whenever you obtain them by way of the Messages app. In iOS 17, Apple has added a brand new choice to have these two-factor messages robotically deleted after you’ve used them.

The choice to allow this auto-delete characteristic is buried within the Settings app:
- Open Settings
- Faucet “Passwords”
- Faucet the “Password Choices” button
- Toggle on the “Clear Up Mechanically” setting
It will “robotically delete verification codes in Messages and Mail after they’ve been inserted with AutoFill,” Apple explains.
This a good way to maintain your Messages app freed from these pesky two-factor authentication codes. Whoever at Apple got here up with this characteristic deserves a increase.
Unread messages and badges
On Threads final week, I got here throughout a publish from Lauren Goode about a good way to rid your Messages app of “unread” badges and begin from scratch. It’s a easy trick that I can’t imagine I by no means considered myself: simply ask Siri to learn any unread messages.
Simply found an ideal hack for iMessage ghost badges that I really feel compelled to share…
~that is whenever you’re positive you’ve learn each potential Message and have gone by means of the stack a number of occasions however nope you continue to see two or three new new message notifications connected to the Messages app~
Summon Siri and ask Siri to learn any unread messages. AMAZING
I personally decide to maintain badges disabled for the Messages app altogether. You may handle your badge preferences within the Settings app below NOtifications.
Wrap up
Do you’ve got any suggestions or tips for taming the beast that the Messages app has turn into? Let me know down within the feedback. Within the meantime, I hope these three tips make it easier to get a greater deal with on issues. New 12 months, new you…proper?
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