iOS 14 iMessage Features: How to Use Them

iOS 14 brought a fresh set of iMessage tools that make conversations more expressive and easier to manage. This guide walks you through pinning conversations, using inline replies, mentioning people, setting a profile photo, and more. You’ll need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 14 or later.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone or iPad with iOS 14 or later installed.
• An active iMessage account (Apple ID) and a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
• For some features (like Memoji), a compatible device with Face ID or a Home button.

Step-by-Step

1. Pin Important Conversations

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Find a conversation you want to pin.
3. Touch and hold the conversation (or swipe right on it) and tap Pin.
4. The conversation will appear as a large circular icon at the top of your message list.
5. To unpin, touch and hold the pinned icon and select Unpin.

2. Mention Someone in a Group Chat

1. Open a group conversation.
2. Type the person’s name (or just start typing their name without the @ symbol – iOS 14 will suggest it).
3. Tap the suggested name to turn it into a mention (the name will appear in bold).
4. The mentioned person will receive a notification even if they have the conversation muted.

3. Reply Inline to a Specific Message

1. In any conversation, touch and hold the message bubble you want to reply to.
2. Tap the Reply bubble (the one with a curved arrow).
3. Type your response – it will be attached directly to that message, and a small gray “Reply” link will appear under the original bubble.
4. Tap the link to see the reply in context.

4. Set a Profile Photo and Name

1. Go to Settings > Messages > Share Name and Photo.
2. Tap Edit to choose a photo or Memoji.
3. Decide who can see your info: Contacts Only, Always Ask, or Everyone.
4. Your photo and name will automatically appear in iMessage conversations with people who also use iOS 14.

5. Use the New Memoji Stickers

1. Open a conversation and tap the Apps button (the A with a blue background).
2. Tap the Memoji icon (the monkey face).
3. Browse the sticker pack – you can use any of the pre-made Memoji stickers or create your own.
4. Tap a sticker to send it instantly, or drag it onto a specific message bubble for a more precise placement.

6. Pin a Message in a Conversation

1. Open a conversation.
2. Touch and hold a specific message bubble.
3. Tap Pin.
4. The message will appear in a small box at the top of the conversation, so you can easily refer back to it.
5. To remove the pin, touch and hold the pinned message and tap Unpin.

7. Use the New Typing Indicators

1. When someone is typing, you’ll see an animated ellipsis (…) in the conversation.
2. If they stop, the ellipsis disappears – this is a subtle change from iOS 13, where the indicator could stay for a few seconds.
3. There’s nothing to configure; it just works automatically.

Common Mistakes

• Pinning the wrong conversation: Make sure you tap the exact conversation you want to pin – it’s easy to accidentally pin a group chat instead of an individual.
• Mentioning without the @ symbol: In iOS 14, you need to type the @ symbol manually or tap the suggested name – typing just the name without @ won’t create a mention.
• Inline replies not showing: If you don’t see the “Reply” link under a message, you might be in an older conversation that hasn’t been updated – force close the Messages app and reopen it.
• Profile photo not sharing: If your photo isn’t appearing, check that you have “Share Name and Photo” turned on and that the recipient is using iOS 14 or later.

Tips

• Pin up to nine conversations: You can pin multiple chats – they’ll appear in a row, and you can swipe horizontally to see them all.
• Use inline replies to reduce clutter: Instead of replying to a message in a busy group chat, use the inline reply feature to keep the thread organized.
• Customize your Memoji: You can create multiple Memoji stickers – each one can have a different outfit or expression, perfect for different moods.
• Quick access to pinned messages: The pinned message box at the top of a conversation stays visible even when you scroll – use it to keep track of important info like addresses or times.

Troubleshooting

• Pinned conversations disappear: This can happen if you sign out of iMessage or reset your device. To fix, go to Settings > Messages > iMessage and toggle it off and on again, then re-pin your conversations.
• Mentions not working: Ensure the person is in your contacts and that you have iOS 14 or later. If it still fails, restart your iPhone – a simple reboot often resolves temporary glitches.
• Inline replies not sending: Check your internet connection. If you’re on cellular data, make sure iMessage is enabled in Settings > Messages > Send as SMS is off (you want iMessage, not SMS).
• Profile photo not updating: Go to Settings > Messages > Share Name and Photo and toggle it off, then back on. Then restart Messages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pin a conversation on my Mac?

Yes, but only if you’re running macOS Big Sur or later. The pinning feature syncs across all your Apple devices, so you can pin on your iPhone and it will appear on your Mac.

Do mentions work if the person has muted the conversation?

Yes, mentions will still send a notification to the mentioned person, even if they have muted the group chat. That’s the whole point of the feature.

Can I remove the profile photo that others see?

Yes, go to Settings > Messages > Share Name and Photo and turn off “Share Name and Photo.” Others will then see only your phone number or Apple ID.

Why don’t I see the Memoji sticker pack?

The Memoji sticker pack appears only if your device supports Memoji (iPhone X or later, or iPad with Face ID). If you have an older device, you’ll only see the standard emoji stickers.

How do I delete a pinned message?

Touch and hold the pinned message at the top of the conversation, then tap “Unpin.” The message itself is not deleted – it just removes the pin.

Can I pin a message in a one-on-one chat?

Yes, pinning works in both individual and group conversations. It’s especially useful for keeping track of a phone number or address that was shared.

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