Hide App Icons in iMessage iOS 11: Full Guide

This guide shows you how to hide the app icons (the row of icons above the keyboard) in iMessage on iOS 11. This is useful if you want a cleaner messaging screen, more space for typing, or if you accidentally enabled the app bar and want it gone. You’ll need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 11 with iMessage enabled.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone or iPad with iOS 11 installed
• iMessage turned on (Settings > Messages > iMessage)
• Access to the Messages app

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on any conversation to open it. The app icons appear above the keyboard.
3. Look for the chevron (a small arrow) pointing down, located to the right of the app icons, just above the keyboard. It’s next to the App Store icon.
4. Tap that downward chevron. The app bar will collapse, leaving only the text input field and the camera icon.
5. To bring the app icons back, tap the chevron pointing up (which appears in the same spot).

That’s all there is to it. The app icons are hidden until you tap the chevron again. This is a per-conversation setting, so you’ll need to do it in each chat where you want the icons hidden.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing the chevron with the App Store icon: The App Store icon is a blue square with an “A” made of sticks. The chevron is a plain arrow, usually gray, to its left. Tapping the App Store icon opens the app drawer, not collapse it.
• Expecting the setting to be global: Hiding the app bar in one conversation does not hide it in others. You must repeat the step for each conversation.
• Swiping down on the app bar: Some users try to swipe the bar down. In iOS 11, swiping down on the app icons does nothing. You must tap the chevron.
• Using the “iMessage Apps” toggle in Settings: There is no global setting in iOS 11 to disable the app bar entirely. The toggle in Settings > Messages > iMessage Apps only controls whether third-party apps appear, not the bar itself.

Tips

• If you want more typing space, collapse the app bar before you start typing. The keyboard will take up the full width.
• You can also hide the app bar by tapping the downward chevron right after opening a conversation. It’s the fastest way.
• If you rarely use iMessage apps, you can disable them entirely in Settings > Messages > iMessage Apps. This will remove the App Store icon from the bar, but the bar itself (with the camera and other default icons) will still appear.
• Remember that the chevron toggles the bar. If you tap it and nothing happens, make sure you’re tapping the arrow, not the App Store icon.

Troubleshooting

• The chevron is not visible: If you don’t see the chevron, it might be because the app bar is already collapsed. Look for an upward-pointing chevron. If you see that, the bar is already hidden.
• Tapping the chevron does nothing: This can happen if the keyboard is not fully open. Make sure the keyboard is visible and not minimized. Tap the text field to bring up the keyboard, then try again.
• The app bar reappears after closing the conversation: This is normal behavior in iOS 11. The setting is not persistent across conversations. You’ll need to collapse it again each time.
• You want to remove the app bar entirely: As of iOS 11, there’s no way to permanently remove the app bar. The only workaround is to collapse it manually each time. Some users find it helpful to disable third-party apps in Settings to reduce the bar’s width.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide the app icons in iMessage on iOS 11 permanently?

No, iOS 11 doesn’t have a permanent toggle. You have to collapse the bar manually in each conversation. It will reappear when you open a new chat.

Why do the app icons keep coming back?

Because iOS 11 treats the app bar as a per-conversation view state. Each time you open a conversation, it defaults to showing the bar. You need to collapse it again.

Is there a way to hide the App Store icon specifically?

You can disable third-party iMessage apps in Settings > Messages > iMessage Apps, which will remove the App Store icon from the bar. However, the bar itself will still show the camera and other default icons.

Does this work on iPad with iOS 11?

Yes, the same steps work on iPad. The layout might look slightly different, but the chevron is in the same relative position.

What if I don’t see the chevron at all?

If the app bar is already collapsed, you’ll see an upward-pointing chevron instead. If you see neither, try tapping the text field to make sure the keyboard is active.

Will hiding the app icons affect my iMessage apps?

No, hiding the bar only hides the icons. Your iMessage apps remain installed and functional. You can access them by tapping the chevron to expand the bar again.

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