Use iMessage apps on your iPhone and iPad

With iMessage apps, you can send messages later, collaborate with others in a conversation, decorate messages with stickers, and more — without leaving Messages.

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Find iMessage apps

  1. Open Messages.

  2. Tap the Compose buttonthe Compose button to start a new message. Or go to an existing conversation.

  3. Tap the Plus buttonthe Plus button find the app that you want to use.

    To access your iMessage apps, tap the + button when you create a message.
  4. Swipe up to see more of your apps.

iMessage apps that are installed automatically

In iOS 18, several iMessage apps are installed by default.

The Send Later iMessage icon.

Send Later: Schedule a message to be sent at a later time.

The Store icon for iMessage apps.

Store: Download iMessage apps to use with Messages.

The icon for the Photos app

Photos: Quickly add photos to your messages right from the app.

The app icon for Apple Music

Music: Share recently played songs from Apple Music.

The app icon for Digital Touch

Digital Touch: Use Digital Touch to send sketches, taps, kisses, heartbeats, and more.

The icon for #images in the iMessage app drawer

#images*: Find hundreds of trending GIFs to add to your messages.

The icon for Apple Cash in iMessages

Apple Cash: Send and receive money with people you know.*

The Memoji icon in the iMessage app drawer

Memoji: Create and share an animated Memoji that uses your voice and mirrors your facial expressions.**

The app icon for Check In

Check In: Automatically notify your friend or family member when you arrive at your destination, such as your home.

The app icon for Stickers in the iMessages app drawer

Stickers: Create custom Live Stickers or Memoji stickers to match your personality and mood.

The icon for location sharing in the iMessages app drawer

Location: Share your location or request a friend’s location. When someone shares a location with you, view it directly within your conversation.

The app icon for audio sharing in the iMessages app drawer

Audio: Record and share clips with your voice or other audio.

*#images and Apple Cash aren't available in all countries or regions. If you find an issue or have a concern with content found in #images, you can report the content or remove the #images app.

Download iMessage apps

You can find and download apps to use with iMessage in the App Store for iMessage. Here's how:

  1. Open Messages.

  2. Start a new message or open a conversation, then tap the Plus buttonthe Plus button.

  3. Tap the Store iconthe Store icon.

  4. Tap the Get buttonthe Get button or the price icon next to the app that you want to download, then tap Install. You might need to enter your Apple Account password to complete the purchase.

  5. Swipe down or tap the Close buttonthe Close button to return to your message.

    You can use the App Store to add new iMessages stickers.

Some apps let you make additional purchases within the app. If you set up Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy to help control app downloads and in-app purchases. Learn more about in-app purchases.

Rearrange iMessage apps

You can add apps to your Favorites so you have quick access to them in the app drawer. You can also reorder apps in the app drawer, remove the ones you don’t want, and more.

  1. Open Messages.

  2. Start a new message or open a conversation, then tap the Plus buttonthe Plus button.

  3. Touch and hold any app icon in the list until it shrinks a little, then drag it to your chosen location.

    The list of iMessage apps available.
  4. To move the app icon to a different page, drag it to the top or bottom edge of the screen. You might need to wait a moment for the new page to appear.

Turn iMessage apps on or off

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > iMessage Apps.

    You can turn iMessage apps on or off. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > iMessage apps.
  2. Tap the app to turn it on or off.

You can also delete an app or remove an app from the Home Screen.

If you change your mind, you can redownload the apps from the App Store.

Do more with iMessage

Use the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or computer to download apps.

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