How to View Only Unread Messages on iPhone

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

It's a common thing to be bombarded with unread text messages in the Messages app on your iPhone. When unread messages mix with messages you've already read, finding important text messages can be a hassle. Now with iOS 16, you will be able to view only unread messages. Here's how to only view unread text messages in Messages.

 Related Article: How to Search Messages on iPhone & iPad (2022 Update)

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Why You’ll Love This Tip 

  • Quickly single out unwanted and outdated text messages that you want to delete.
  • Quickly search for text messages that you might have missed.

How to View Unread Text Messages in Messages

Note: You will only be able to use this feature once you have updated your iPhone to iOS 16.

Make sure that you have turned on Filter Unknown Senders before completing the following steps:

  1. Open Messages.

     
  2. Tap Filter, in the top left-hand corner. (If you don't see Filters, you probably do not have Filter Unknown Senders toggled on. Make sure that feature is enabled before continuing.)

  3. Tap Unread Messages.

  4. You will now see all of your unread messages.

Now that you know how to view only unread text messages, please feel free to sign up for our Tip of the Day newsletter to check out more Messages tips. Plus, find out how to keep your inbox organized by auto-deleting verification codes or pinning important conversations.

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Author Details

Kenya Smith's picture

Author Details

Kenya Smith

Kenya Smith is a Feature Web Writer for iPhone Life. She has a bachelor's degree in Strategic Communication and has written articles for two newspapers in her home state of Virginia. She also won first place in non-daily column writing for the 2019 and 2020 Virginia Press Association Awards.