How to Access iMessage Apps in iOS 17 on iPhone

iMessage apps let you send stickers, share music, play games, and use third-party extensions right inside your conversations. In iOS 17, Apple moved the app drawer behind a new plus button, which trips up many people who expect the old row of icons. This guide shows you exactly where to find and use those apps, what to do if they disappear, and how to manage which ones appear.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 17 or later (check in Settings > General > Software Update)
iMessage enabled (Settings > Messages > iMessage toggle on)
At least one iMessage app installed (many come preinstalled, like #images, Music, and Apple Pay)

Step-by-Step

Open the Messages app on your iPhone and tap any existing conversation or start a new one by tapping the compose button in the top-right corner.
Tap the plus (+) button located to the left of the text input field, inside the gray bar at the bottom of the screen. In iOS 17, this plus button replaced the old App Store icon that used to sit there.
Look at the row of circular icons that appears above the keyboard. This is your iMessage app drawer. The first icon is usually Photos, followed by Camera, then any third-party apps you have installed, and finally the More (three dots) button.
Tap an app icon to open it. For example, tapping Photos lets you pick images to send; tapping Music lets you share a song; tapping a sticker pack shows you its stickers.
To scroll through more apps if you have many installed, swipe left or right on that row of circular icons. The row is horizontally scrollable.
To see all apps in a grid, tap the More button (three dots) at the far right of the app row, then tap Edit. This opens a full-screen view where you can see every app you have and manage them.
To send something from an app, tap the app, then tap the specific item (a sticker, a photo, a song) and it will appear in your text field. Press the blue up arrow to send it.
To close the app drawer, tap the plus button again or tap the gray area above the keyboard. The keyboard will return to normal.

Common Mistakes

Looking for the old App Store icon: In iOS 17, the App Store icon next to the text field is gone. The plus button is its replacement, and it does not look like an app store at all.
Tapping the camera icon instead: The camera icon in the bottom-left (or inside the plus menu) is for taking a photo, not for accessing iMessage apps. The plus button is separate and to the left of the text field.
Expecting apps to appear as a full-screen sheet: The app drawer in iOS 17 is a compact row above the keyboard, not a full-screen overlay. Some users tap the plus button and look for a large grid, but it is just that small row.
Forgetting to scroll: If you have many apps, the row only shows about four or five at a time. Swipe left or right on the row itself to see the rest.
Confusing iMessage apps with standalone apps: An iMessage app is an extension that works inside Messages. You cannot open it from the home screen; you must be inside a conversation to see it.

Tips

Rearrange your apps: Tap the More (three dots) button, then Edit, then drag the handles on the right side of each app to reorder them. Your most-used apps will appear first in the row.
Hide apps you never use: In the same Edit screen, tap the green minus button next to an app to hide it. It will not be deleted, just removed from the drawer.
Use the search bar in the app drawer: When you tap the More button, there is a search field at the top. Type an app name to jump straight to it if you have many.
Pin frequently used apps: Some apps, like Photos and Camera, are always pinned at the front. You cannot remove these, but you can move third-party apps to the front by dragging them in Edit mode.
Check for updates: If an app is missing from the drawer, make sure the app itself is updated in the App Store. Sometimes an update is required for the iMessage extension to work.

Troubleshooting

No plus button at all: If you do not see the plus button, you might be in an SMS conversation (green bubble) with someone who does not have iMessage. iMessage apps only work in blue bubble conversations. Start a new iMessage conversation or check that iMessage is enabled in Settings > Messages.
Plus button is there, but no apps appear: Tap the plus button, then tap the More button (three dots) at the far right of the row. If the list is empty, you have no iMessage apps installed. Download one from the App Store (look for apps that say “iMessage app” or “Stickers” in their description) and then return to Messages.
Apps appear grayed out or unresponsive: This usually means the app needs to be updated or the extension is disabled. Go to Settings > Messages > iMessage Apps and toggle the app on. If it is already on, try turning it off and on again, then restart the Messages app.
After updating to iOS 17, my apps are gone: Apple hides some apps by default after a major update. Tap the plus button, then More (three dots), then Edit. Look through the list and tap the green plus icon next to any hidden apps to bring them back.
The keyboard covers the app row: This can happen if you have a third-party keyboard active. Switch back to the default Apple keyboard (hold the globe key and select English) or tap the plus button again to dismiss the keyboard and show the apps.
Apps work but sending fails: Check your internet connection. iMessage apps that pull content (like #images or Music) need data. Also, make sure the recipient’s device supports iMessage; if they are on an old iOS version, some app content may not send.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where did the App Store icon in Messages go in iOS 17?
A: It was replaced by the plus (+) button. Tap the plus button to see your iMessage apps in a row above the keyboard.

Q: Can I still download new iMessage apps?
A: Yes. Open the App Store, search for an app that supports iMessage extensions (many sticker and game apps do), install it, and it will appear in your Messages app drawer automatically.

Q: How do I remove an iMessage app from the drawer?
A: Tap the plus button, then the More (three dots) button, then Edit. Tap the red minus icon next to the app you want to hide. You can always add it back later from the same screen.

Q: Why do iMessage apps only work in blue bubbles?
A: iMessage apps are extensions of Apple’s iMessage service, which only works between Apple devices with iMessage enabled. Green bubble SMS texts do not support these extensions.

Q: Can I use iMessage apps on an iPad or Mac?
A: Yes, if the app supports those platforms. On iPad, the plus button works the same way. On Mac, look for the App Store icon next to the text field in Messages. Not all iPhone iMessage apps have Mac versions.

Q: My favorite app disappeared after the iOS 17 update. Is it gone forever?
A: No. It is likely just hidden. Tap the plus button, then More (three dots), then Edit, and look for the app in the list. Tap the green plus icon to re-enable it.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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