Apple’s Messages app has introduced a handy feature that allows you to pin conversations to the top of your screen—so you never lose track of important chats. Whether it’s your family group, your best friend, or a critical work thread, pinning messages keeps them visible and accessible at all times.
This detailed guide will walk you through how to pin and unpin messages, explain the benefits of using pinned conversations, and answer common questions so you can stay organized and efficient with your messaging on iPhone.
📌 What Is a Pinned Conversation in Messages?
A pinned conversation appears at the very top of your Messages app, above all other text threads. It’s displayed as a circular avatar or photo bubble with the contact’s name (or group name), making it easy to tap and reopen anytime.
You can pin:
- Individual conversations
- Group chats
- iMessage and SMS threads (yes, both!)
You can pin up to nine conversations at once in iOS 14 and later.
✅ How to Pin a Conversation in Messages
Option 1: Pin from the Messages List
- Open the Messages app.
- In your conversation list, find the message you want to pin.
- Long-press (tap and hold) the conversation.
- Tap “Pin” from the menu that appears.
The conversation will now appear as a circular bubble at the top of your Messages screen.
Option 2: Use Swipe Gesture
- Open the Messages app.
- Swipe right on the conversation you want to pin.
- Tap the yellow pin icon that appears.
It’s quick, easy, and great for prioritizing messages as they come in.
🔄 How to Unpin a Conversation
If you want to remove a pinned chat:
Method 1: Long-Press on the Pinned Bubble
- Tap and hold the pinned conversation bubble at the top.
- Tap “Unpin”.
Method 2: Edit Pins
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap the “Edit” button at the top-left of the screen.
- Tap “Edit Pins.”
- Tap the minus icon (–) on the pinned chat you want to unpin.
- Tap Done to confirm.
🧠 Why Use Pinned Conversations?
📥 Always On Top
Pinned chats stay visible—even if you receive dozens of new messages in other threads.
💬 Faster Access
Open high-priority threads with one tap—no need to scroll.
👀 Easy Visibility
Each pinned message displays a contact photo, initials, or group icon, making it easy to identify at a glance.
🔔 Notification Badges
Pinned chats show unread message indicators as a small blue dot or a count badge on the avatar.
🛠️ Customizing Contact Appearance for Pins
To personalize your pinned messages, update the contact’s photo or group icon:
- Open the conversation.
- Tap the name or icons at the top.
- Tap “Info” (ℹ️).
- Tap “Change Name and Photo” (for groups) or “Edit” (for individuals).
- Choose a photo, emoji, or Memoji.
The new image will appear in your pinned message bubble.
🧾 How to Manage Multiple Pinned Conversations
- You can pin up to 9 conversations.
- Reorder pinned chats by dragging and dropping the circular icons at the top.
- If you try to pin a 10th conversation, the app will prompt you to unpin one first.
📱 iOS Version Compatibility
The pin feature is available in:
- iOS 14 and later
- iPadOS 14 and later
If you don’t see the pin option:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update and update your iPhone.
- Ensure you are using the native Messages app (not a third-party messaging app).
🔒 Privacy and Security Notes
- Pinning a conversation does not change encryption or message visibility.
- Your pinned chats are only visible to you, not to the other participants.
📋 Summary Table
| Action | Steps |
| Pin a conversation | Long-press message > Tap “Pin” |
| Swipe to pin | Swipe right > Tap yellow pin icon |
| Unpin chat | Long-press pinned bubble > Tap “Unpin” |
| Edit multiple pins | Messages > Edit > Edit Pins > Remove |
| Rearrange pins | Tap and drag pinned bubbles |
| Max pins allowed | Up to 9 conversations |
| Add photos to pins | Tap chat > Info > Edit Name and Photo |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pin group chats?
Yes, group iMessages and even SMS group texts can be pinned.
Can I pin non-iPhone conversations?
Yes. You can pin both iMessage (blue) and SMS (green) conversations.
What if I delete a pinned conversation?
Deleting a chat also removes its pin. If you receive a message later, it returns to the main list.
Can I pin conversations on iPad or Mac?
Yes, if your devices are synced with the same Apple ID and running the latest OS version, your pins may appear across devices.
✅ Final Thoughts
Pinning conversations in Messages on your iPhone is a powerful way to stay organized, reduce clutter, and make sure you never miss important messages. Whether it’s a personal chat with your partner, a team project, or a family planning group, having these messages pinned puts them right at your fingertips.
With easy gestures and up to nine pinned threads, Apple ensures you can keep your digital conversations efficient and stress-free.
Meta Description:
Learn how to pin conversations in Messages on your iPhone. Step-by-step guide to pin, unpin, reorder, and manage your top chats in iOS for better messaging organization.
