Turn Off Auto-Installed iMessage Apps

This guide shows you how to stop iMessage from automatically adding new apps to your app drawer and message composer. You’ll also learn how to remove apps that have already been auto-added, and how to hide the app drawer entirely if you prefer a cleaner messaging view. No special tools or technical knowledge are needed—everything is done through the Messages app settings on your iPhone or iPad.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone or iPad running iOS 17 or later (earlier versions have a similar but slightly different menu path).
Your device passcode or Face ID/Touch ID access (you’ll need to unlock the device, but no special permissions are required).

Step-by-Step

Open the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad. This is the green icon with a white speech bubble.
Start a new message or open an existing conversation. The app drawer is only visible while you’re inside a conversation view, so tap the compose button (square with a pencil) in the top right, or tap any existing thread.
Tap the “+” button located to the left of the text input field. This opens the app drawer, which shows all the iMessage apps you have available (stickers, games, payment apps, etc.).
Swipe left or right through the app drawer until you reach the row of circular icons at the bottom. These are your installed iMessage apps. The one labeled “More” (three dots inside a circle) is usually at the far right.
Tap the “More” button (the three-dot circle). A menu will appear with options like “Edit” and “Manage.”
Tap “Edit” (or “Manage” on some versions). This opens a list of all your iMessage apps, each with a toggle switch or a red minus button.
To stop future auto-installation: Look for a toggle labeled “Automatically Install Apps” or “Auto-Add Apps.” If it’s on (green), tap it to turn it off. This prevents new apps you download from the App Store (that support iMessage) from being automatically added to your app drawer.
To remove an already-installed app from the drawer: In the same Edit view, find the app you want to remove. Tap the red minus button next to it, then confirm by tapping “Remove.” This removes it from the iMessage app drawer, but does not delete the app from your device.
To hide the entire app drawer: If you want to remove the row of apps entirely (so only the camera and photos appear), go back to the conversation, tap the “+” again, and swipe to the far right. Tap “More,” then “Edit.” At the top of the Edit screen, you’ll see a toggle for “Show App Drawer.” Turn it off. This hides the app drawer completely, leaving only the camera and photo library shortcuts.
Exit the Edit screen by tapping “Done” or swiping down. Your changes are saved automatically.

Common Mistakes

Turning off auto-install but not removing existing apps: The toggle only affects future apps. You still need to manually remove any apps that were already added.
Confusing “Remove” with “Delete”: Removing an app from the iMessage drawer does not uninstall the app from your phone. The app remains on your home screen and can be used normally.
Looking for the settings in the main Settings app: The auto-install toggle is not in the Settings app under “Messages.” It’s only accessible through the app drawer’s Edit menu inside a conversation.
Not swiping through the full app drawer: The “More” button can be hidden if you have many apps. Keep swiping left until you see the three-dot circle.

Tips

Use the “Edit” screen to reorganize: Instead of removing apps, you can drag them to reorder them. Apps at the front of the drawer are easier to access.
Consider keeping frequently used apps: If you use stickers or payment apps often, keep them in the drawer but turn off auto-install to prevent clutter from new, rarely-used apps.
Hide the drawer for a minimalist look: If you rarely use iMessage apps, turning off “Show App Drawer” gives you a cleaner text input area. You can always turn it back on later.
Check after iOS updates: Major iOS updates sometimes reset these preferences, so it’s worth checking the auto-install toggle after updating your device.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see the “Edit” option: Make sure you’re in an active conversation and have tapped the “+” button. If you only see a list of apps, swipe left until you reach the “More” button. If “Edit” still doesn’t appear, try restarting the Messages app (swipe up from the bottom and close it, then reopen).
The auto-install toggle is grayed out: This can happen if you have parental controls or screen time restrictions enabled. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and ensure Messages is allowed. If restrictions are managed by a family organizer, you may need their permission.
Apps keep coming back after removal: Some built-in Apple apps (like Apple Pay or Camera) cannot be removed from the drawer—they’re part of the system. For third-party apps, double-check that the auto-install toggle is off. If it’s still on, new apps will be added again.
I can’t find the “Show App Drawer” toggle: This option is only available in iOS 17 and later. On older versions, you can only remove individual apps, not hide the entire drawer.
Changes don’t seem to save: Make sure you tap “Done” after making changes. If you just swipe away, the changes may not apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off auto-install delete any apps from my phone?

No. The auto-install toggle only prevents future apps from being added to the iMessage drawer. It does not delete any apps from your device.

How do I re-add an app I removed from the iMessage drawer?

Open the app drawer, tap “More,” then “Edit.” Find the app in the list and tap the green plus button or toggle it back on. The app will reappear in the drawer.

Can I remove the app drawer completely on iOS 16?

No. The “Show App Drawer” toggle is only available in iOS 17 and later. On iOS 16, you can only remove individual apps, not hide the entire row.

Does this affect apps like Apple Pay or the Camera?

No. Built-in Apple apps that are essential to Messages (like Camera and Apple Pay) cannot be removed from the drawer. You can only remove third-party apps.

Why do some apps appear in the drawer even though I never downloaded them?

Some apps are automatically added when you install them from the App Store if they support iMessage. This is exactly what the “Automatically Install Apps” toggle controls. Turning it off stops this behavior.

If I hide the app drawer, can I still use stickers and games?

No. Hiding the app drawer removes access to all iMessage apps within a conversation. You would need to re-enable the drawer to use them again.

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

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