How to Mark Messages as Unread in iOS 16

Apple added a long-awaited feature in iOS 16 that allows users to mark text messages and iMessages as unread. This feature is ideal for flagging important conversations you have opened but want to return to and respond to later. This guide covers the quick, step-by-step methods to mark single or multiple conversations as unread directly on your iPhone.

Method 1: Swipe to Mark as Unread

The quickest way to mark an individual conversation as unread is by using a swipe gesture:

  1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone running iOS 16 or later.
  2. Locate the conversation you want to mark as unread in your message list.
  3. Swipe right across the conversation thread.
  4. Tap the blue Unread icon that appears, or simply swipe all the way to the right edge of the screen.

A blue dot will appear to the left of the conversation, and the badge icon on your Messages app will update to reflect the unread message.

Method 2: Use the Long-Press Menu

If you prefer using menus, you can use Haptic Touch to mark a conversation:

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Press and hold (long-press) on the conversation thread you wish to mark.
  3. From the context menu that pops up, tap Mark as Unread.

Method 3: Mark Multiple Conversations as Unread

To mark several message threads as unread at the same time:

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Tap Edit (or Filters if you have message filtering enabled) in the top-left corner.
  3. Tap Select Messages.
  4. Tap the circles next to each conversation you want to mark.
  5. Tap Unread in the bottom-left corner of the screen.