Share Photos on iPhone in the Messages App

* This article is from our 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. Let's go over how to share photos on iPhone via text message.

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

System Requirements

This tip works on any iPhone, but these screenshots were captured on iOS 17. Find out how to update to the latest version of iOS.

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, so we'll go over the most recent changes to iPhone's Messages app. For more great photo-sharing tutorials, like how to share an iCloud album with Android devices, check out our free Tip of the Day newsletter. Now, here's how to send photos in iMessage:

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

    iphone home screen with a red box around the messages app in the app dock
  2. Tap the plus icon to the left of the message field.

    iphone messages with a red box around plus icon
  3. Tap Photos.

    iphone message app displaying imessage app list with a red box around photos
  4. You can scroll through photos here and tap them to add them to the message.

    iphone messages app displaying photo gallery with a red box around a photo, indicating to select it
  5. Alternatively, you can tap and drag the small gray bar upward to expand the gallery.

    iphone messages app displaying photo gallery with a red box around gray expansion bar and a red arrow pointing upwards, indicating to tap and drag the bar upward
  6. You can tap the Search Bar to search for people, pets, or places.

    iphone messages app displaying photo gallery with a red box around the search bar
  7. Tap up to twenty photos, or a video of up to 3.5 minutes in length, then tap Done.

    iphone messages app displaying photo gallery with a red box around the done button
  8. If you accidentally select a photo you don't want to share, tap the X to remove it.

    iphone messages app showing two attached photos with a red box around the x icon
  9. Type a message if desired, then tap the Send icon to send your text as usual.

    iphone messages app showing two attached photos with a red box around the send button

That's how to send photos from iPhone in a text message! Now you can easily share photos with friends and family members. If you're wondering, "Why can't I see pictures on iMessage?" we can help you fix it.

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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.