Pinned conversations stay at the top of Messages as larger icons, so important people and group chats do not disappear beneath newer texts. Messages can also split one person into two conversations if their phone number and iMessage email are not saved on the same contact card.
These steps apply to Messages on iOS 16 or later. You can pin up to nine conversations.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want key chats pinned above the rest, or if one person keeps appearing as separate message threads.
Pin a Conversation
- Open Messages.
- Touch and hold the conversation.
- Tap Pin.
- Repeat for up to nine pinned conversations total.
Pinned chats move to the top row above the normal chronological conversation list.
Unpin a Conversation
- Open Messages.
- Touch and hold the pinned conversation.
- Tap Unpin, or drag the pinned icon down into the regular conversation list.
The conversation returns to normal sorting by recent activity.
Fix One Contact Split into Two Threads
- Open Contacts.
- Find that person and tap Edit.
- Make sure the same card contains every phone number and iMessage email address they use.
- Add the missing address or number.
- Tap Done.
Future messages from those saved addresses should land in the same conversation. Existing split history usually stays separate.
More Messages Tips
Reorder Pinned Chats
Touch and hold a pinned conversation and drag it left or right. The leftmost pinned item is the most prominent.
Catch Up
On supported iOS versions, the Catch Up arrow in a conversation jumps to the first unread message so you do not have to scroll manually.
Mark as Unread
Swipe right on a conversation or use Mark as Unread to bring back the blue unread dot as a reminder.
No Per-Message Pinning
Messages pins whole conversations, not individual photos, links, or texts. To find shared items, open the contact details at the top of the conversation and browse Photos, Links, and related sections.
Sources
- Apple Support: Keep track of messages on iPhone
- Apple Support: Add or edit contact info and photo on iPhone
- Apple Support: Use Messages on iPhone