In iOS 10, the Messages app received a big improvement with the introduction of stickers, bigger emoji characters and effects. Noticeably, Apple has finally opened its messaging platform for third-party apps, offering tons of ways to spice up your conversations.
However, there is a lesser known feature within the Messages app on your iPhone and iPad. We are talking about the ability to search through iMessages and text messages on your iOS devices. iOS Message search lets you quickly find messages by name, phrase or words.
In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the steps to search messages on your iPhone and iPad. Before proceeding with our step-by-step instructions, make sure that you are now running a modern version of iOS.
Note that iOS Message search feature is not obvious to see, as it is hidden inside the Messages app. If this is the first time you have seen it, well you are not the only one.
Steps to search messages on your iPhone and iPad
Step one: First off, you need to launch the Messages app from your home screen
Step two: Once you enter the message thread screen, you simply need to tap and hold on a message and pull down on the screen. Once you do that, you will access the secret search bar located at the top of the screen
Step three: Next up, you simply need to tap on the Search bar and enter name, phrase or word you want to search messages for
Step four: All messages and conversations that contain your key words or phrases will show up below the Search bar. You simply need to tap on one of them to open the matching message.
Note that you cannot search messages when you are within the messaging thread, as the search box is only available in the general message thread screen.
Also read: Steps to change the Sent From email address in the Mail app for Mac
Got any issues during the process? Let us know in the comments below.
