How to mark messages as unread on iPhone lets you flag a conversation after reading it. This Messages app feature helps you remember to reply later. It only changes the conversation on your iPhone and does not notify the sender.

Have you ever opened a text but forgot to answer it later? Don’t worry—this guide shows the easiest way to mark text messages as unread, find unread messages, and understand how the feature really works. You’ll also learn what happens after you use it.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn step-by-step methods to mark one or multiple conversations as unread, mark them as read again, fix common problems, and use the feature on iPhone and iPad. You’ll also find expert tips, FAQs, and practical examples to manage iMessage and text messages more efficiently.

Can You Mark Messages as Unread on iPhone?

Yes, you can mark messages as unread on an iPhone to remind yourself to come back to a conversation later. This feature is available in the Messages app on supported versions of iOS. It helps you organize your conversations without changing the message for anyone else.

Many people accidentally open a text message while they are busy and forget to reply later. Instead of leaving the conversation buried in your inbox, you can mark it as unread. This adds an Unread indicator, making it easier to spot the conversation the next time you open the Messages app.

What Does the “Mark as Unread” Feature Do?

When you mark a conversation as unread:

• It places an Unread indicator next to the conversation in your Messages list.
• It reminds you that the conversation still needs your attention.
• It does not send the message again.
• It does not change the original message.
• It helps you keep important chats from being forgotten.

For example, imagine your manager sends you a message while you’re in a meeting. You quickly read it but cannot reply immediately. Instead of relying on memory, you can mark the conversation as unread so it stands out when you’re ready to respond.

This feature works like a personal reminder rather than a communication tool.

Which iOS Versions Support Marking Messages as Unread?

The Mark as Unread feature is available on modern versions of iOS, including:

• iOS 16
• iOS 17
• iOS 18 (and newer supported versions)

If you do not see the option, check the following:

• Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.
• Make sure you’re using Apple’s built-in Messages app.
• Restart your iPhone after installing a software update if the feature doesn’t appear immediately.

Tip: Older versions of iOS may not include this feature. Updating your device can unlock newer messaging tools and improvements.

Marking a Message as Unread vs. Unread Message Notifications

Many users confuse marking a message as unread with receiving a new message notification, but they are completely different.

Mark as Unread	Unread Message Notification
You manually mark an existing conversation as unread.	iPhone automatically notifies you when a new message arrives.
Works as a personal reminder.	Alerts you about a newly received message.
Does not create a new notification.	Displays a notification on the Lock Screen or Notification Center.
Does not send anything to the other person.	Triggered automatically when someone sends you a message.

For example:

• Unread notification: Your friend sends you a new text, and your iPhone displays a notification.
• Mark as Unread: You read the text but decide to reply later, so you manually mark the conversation as unread to remind yourself.

Knowing the difference helps you use the Messages app more effectively and avoid missing important conversations.

How to Mark Messages as Unread on iPhone

Marking a conversation as unread only takes a few seconds. Once you do it, the conversation is flagged with an Unread indicator so you can easily find it later.

Mark a Single Conversation as Unread

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Find the conversation you want to revisit.
3. Swipe right on the conversation.
4. Tap Unread.

Alternatively:

1. Tap the More button (three dots) in the Messages list.
2. Tap Select Messages.
3. Choose the conversation.
4. Tap Unread.

After completing these steps, the conversation will appear as unread in your Messages list.

Example: You read an important text from a customer but cannot answer while driving. Marking it as unread reminds you to respond once you’re available.

Use Swipe Gestures to Mark a Message as Unread

The quickest method is using swipe gestures.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Locate the conversation.
3. Swipe right across the conversation.
4. Tap Unread.

Using swipe gestures is faster than opening menus and works well if you only need to mark one or two conversations.

Tip: Be careful not to swipe too far, as different swipe distances may trigger other actions depending on your iPhone settings and iOS version.

Mark Multiple Messages as Unread on iPhone

If you want to mark several conversations as unread, you can do so at the same time on supported versions of iOS.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap the More button.
3. Select Select Messages.
4. Choose all the conversations you want to mark.
5. Tap Unread.

This method is useful when:

• You’re catching up after a vacation.
• You need to reply to several people later.
• You want to organize your inbox before work.

Note: The availability of selecting multiple conversations depends on your iOS version. If you don’t see this option, update your iPhone to the latest supported version.

How to Mark Messages as Unread on iPhone 13

If you own an iPhone 13, the process is exactly the same as on newer iPhone models, provided your device is running a supported version of iOS.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Find the conversation.
3. Swipe right.
4. Tap Unread.

You can also use More > Select Messages to mark one or multiple conversations as unread.

The same instructions also apply to:

• iPhone 14
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 16

Because Apple uses the same Messages interface across these devices, you do not need different steps for each model. The only requirement is running a supported version of iOS.

What Happens When You Mark an iMessage as Unread?

Marking an iMessage as unread only changes how the conversation appears on your iPhone. It does not resend the message, change its delivery status, or notify the other person.

Think of it as placing a bookmark on a conversation. It helps you remember to come back later, but it doesn’t affect the sender or the message itself.

Does the Other Person Know You Marked It as Unread?

No.

The sender is not notified when you mark a conversation as unread.

They cannot see that:

• You marked the conversation as unread.
• You used the Unread feature.
• You flagged the chat as a reminder.

This action is completely private and only affects your Messages app.

Does It Affect Read Receipts?

No.

Marking a conversation as unread does not reset or remove Read Receipts.

For example:

• If Read Receipts were already sent when you opened the message, the sender will still see that it was read.
• Marking the conversation as unread will not change the status back to Delivered or Unread.

The feature is simply an organizational tool.

Does It Change Message Delivery Status?

No.

The message status remains exactly the same.

It does not change:

• Delivered
• Read
• Sent

It only changes the appearance of the conversation on your own iPhone.

How to Find Unread Messages on iPhone

If you’ve marked conversations as unread or have unread messages waiting, iPhone makes them easy to find using built-in filters.

This saves time, especially if you receive many text messages every day.

View Only Unread Messages

To see unread conversations:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap Filters in the upper-left corner.
3. Tap Unread Messages.

Your iPhone will display only conversations that are currently marked as unread.

Tip: If you don’t see Filters, make sure Message Filtering is enabled in your iPhone settings or that your current iOS version supports this feature.

Use Filters to Find Unread Conversations

Filters help organize your inbox into different categories, including unread conversations.

Depending on your settings, you may see filters such as:

• Unread Messages
• Known Senders
• Unknown Senders
• Recently Deleted

Using these filters is especially helpful if you receive many business, family, and promotional messages every day.

Quick Tip: If you’re expecting an important reply, mark the conversation as unread after reading it. Later, open the Unread Messages filter to quickly find every conversation that still needs your attention.

How to Mark Messages as Read Again on iPhone

If you’ve previously marked a conversation as unread, you can easily mark it as read again once you’ve finished reviewing or replying to it. Doing this removes the unread indicator and helps keep your Messages app organized.

For example, if you marked a coworker’s message as unread to remind yourself to reply later, you can mark it as read again after sending your response.

Mark One Conversation as Read

Follow these simple steps to mark a single conversation as read:

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Find the conversation marked as unread.
3. Swipe right on the conversation.
4. Tap Read.

You can also use this method:

1. Tap the More button (three dots) in the Messages list.
2. Select Select Messages.
3. Choose the unread conversation.
4. Tap Read.

Once completed, the Unread indicator disappears, showing that the conversation has been reviewed.

Tip: Mark conversations as read after replying to them. This makes it easier to identify messages that still need your attention.

Mark Multiple Conversations as Read

If you have several unread conversations, you don’t need to open each one individually. You can mark multiple conversations as read at the same time.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap the More button.
3. Choose Select Messages.
4. Select all the unread conversations you want to update.
5. Tap Read.

This feature is especially useful when:

• You’ve returned from vacation.
• You’ve already replied from another Apple device.
• You want to clear your Unread Messages list.

Note: The ability to select multiple conversations depends on your iPhone’s iOS version. If you don’t see this option, update your device to the latest supported version.

Why Can’t I Mark Messages as Unread on My iPhone?

If you don’t see the Mark as Unread option, don’t worry. In most cases, the issue is related to your iOS version, app settings, or temporary software behavior.

Below are the most common reasons and how to fix them.

Unsupported iOS Version

The Mark as Unread feature is only available on supported versions of iOS.

If your iPhone is running an older version, the option may not appear in the Messages app.

To check your software version:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap About.
4. Check your iOS Version.

If your device supports a newer version, update it by going to:

Settings > General > Software Update

Keeping iOS updated also improves security, bug fixes, and messaging features.

Messages App Needs Updating

Sometimes the feature may not work correctly because your iPhone hasn’t installed the latest software updates.

Try these steps:

• Install the latest iOS update.
• Restart your iPhone after updating.
• Open the Messages app again.

Many temporary issues disappear after updating and restarting your device.

Tip: Apple often adds new messaging features and fixes through iOS updates instead of separate app updates.

Swipe Actions Not Working

If swiping doesn’t show the Unread option, try the following:

• Swipe slowly instead of quickly.
• Make sure you’re swiping in the correct direction.
• Close and reopen the Messages app.
• Restart your iPhone.
• Use the Select Messages method instead of swipe gestures.

If swipe gestures still don’t work, your iPhone may have a temporary software glitch that can often be resolved by restarting the device.

Unread Option Missing

If the Unread button is completely missing, check these possible causes:

• Your iPhone is running an older iOS version.
• The conversation has already been removed.
• The Messages app is not displaying the latest interface after an update.
• Your device needs a restart.

If none of these solutions work, updating to the latest supported iOS version is usually the best next step.

Mark Messages as Unread on iPad

Good news—you can also mark messages as unread on an iPad using the built-in Messages app. Apple offers nearly the same feature across iPhone and iPad, making it easy to manage conversations on either device.

This is helpful if you switch between your iPhone and iPad throughout the day.

Same Feature Availability

On supported versions of iPadOS, you can:

• Mark conversations as unread
• Mark conversations as read
• Use Unread as a reminder to reply later
• View unread conversations using built-in message filters (when available)

The feature works similarly to the iPhone experience, especially if Messages in iCloud is enabled and your conversations sync across Apple devices.

Differences from iPhone

Although the feature works the same way, the interface looks slightly different because of the iPad’s larger screen.

Some differences include:

• The Messages list is wider and easier to browse.
• Buttons may appear in slightly different positions.
• Navigation is optimized for the iPad’s larger display.
• Some menu layouts may vary depending on your version of iPadOS.

Despite these small visual differences, the steps for marking conversations as unread remain almost identical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you mark a text message as unread on an iPhone?

Yes. On supported versions of iOS, you can mark a text message as unread by opening the Messages app and using the Unread option. This helps you remember to reply later without affecting the conversation for the other person.

Can you mark a text message as unread after reading it?

Yes. Even after you’ve opened and read a message, you can still mark it as unread. This only adds an unread indicator on your own iPhone and serves as a personal reminder.

Does marking a message as unread notify the sender?

No. Marking a conversation as unread is completely private.

The sender:

• Does not receive a notification.
• Cannot see that you marked the conversation as unread.
• Will not know you’ve used the feature.

It only changes how the conversation appears in your Messages app.

How do you read an iPhone message without it saying Read?

If Read Receipts are enabled, opening an iMessage may send a Read status to the sender.

To avoid this, you can:

• Turn off Read Receipts before opening the conversation.
• Preview the message from the Lock Screen or Notification Center when possible.
• Read the message on another Apple device where your settings allow.

Keep in mind that marking a conversation as unread does not reverse an already sent Read Receipt. Once a read receipt has been delivered, marking the message as unread only changes the conversation’s appearance on your own device.

Final Thoughts

Marking messages as unread on your iPhone is a simple way to stay organized and avoid forgetting important conversations. Whether you use iMessage or regular text messages, this feature helps you remember to reply later without notifying the sender or changing the message status.

We hope this guide helped you understand how to mark messages as unread on iPhone with confidence. By following these easy steps and tips, you can manage your Messages app more efficiently, quickly find unread conversations, and make sure no important message is overlooked.