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Send and receive photos, videos, and audio messages on iPhone

In the Messages app , you can send photos, videos, and audio messages using iMessage or your SMS/MMS service. You can also share, save, or print attachments. Your carrier may set size limits for attachments; iPhone may compress photo and video attachments when necessary.

For information about sending SMS/MMS attachments on models with Dual SIM, see Manage your cellular plans for Dual SIM.

Send a photo or video

In Messages, do any of the following while writing a message:
- Take a photo within Messages: Tap , frame the shot in the viewfinder, then tap .
- Take a video within Messages: Tap , choose Video mode, then tap .
- Choose an existing photo or video: Tap to see recent shots, then swipe up to search or browse through all photos and albums. If multiple photos or videos are selected, a number indicates in which order they’ll be sent.
Tap to send your message or to cancel.

If you receive multiple photos at the same time, they’re automatically grouped into a collage (2-3 photos) or a photo stack (4+ photos). You can swipe through a photo stack to view, reply, or interact with each photo individually.

To save a photo, tap the next to the photo or collection of photos.

Note: The Messages app can detect nudity in photos on your child’s device before the photos are sent or received, and provide resources to help your child handle the situation (iOS 15.2 or later; not available in all countries or regions). Apple doesn’t get access to the photos as a result of this feature. For more information, see Turn communication safety for messages on or off on a family member’s device.

A conversation in Messages. Below a text conversation is a collection of photos of a homes interior and exterior arranged alongside a save button.

Mark up or edit a photo

You can mark up or edit a photo before you send it in a Messages conversation.

Tap in the app drawer, then choose a photo.
Tap the photo in the message bubble, then do any of the following:
- Tap Markup, use the Markup tools to draw on the photo, then tap Save.
- Tap Edit, use the photo editing tools to edit the photo, then tap Done.
Tap Done, add a message, then tap to send the photo, or tap to remove the photo from the message bubble.

Add camera effects to a photo or video

When you take a photo or video in a Messages conversation, you can add camera effects to it—such as filters, stickers, labels, and shapes.

In a Messages conversation, tap , then choose Photo or Video mode.
Tap , then do any of the following:
- Tap , then choose a Memoji (on supported models).
- Tap , then choose a filter to apply to your picture.
- Tap to add a text label, or to add a shape.
- Tap to add a Memoji sticker, or to add an Emoji sticker.
Tap to close the effect window.
Tap to take a photo or to record video.
Tap Done to add the photo or video to the message bubble, where you can add a message, or tap to send the photo or video directly.

Send an audio message

In a conversation, touch and hold to record an audio message.
Tap to listen to your message before you send it.
Tap to send the message or to cancel.

Note: To save space, iPhone automatically deletes audio messages two minutes after you listen to them, unless you tap Keep. To always keep audio messages, go to Settings > Messages > Expire (below Audio Messages), then tap Never.

Listen or reply to an audio message

Raise iPhone to your ear to play incoming audio messages.
Raise it again to reply.

To turn this feature on or off, go to Settings > Messages, then turn off Raise to Listen.

Share, save, print, copy, or delete a message or attachment

In a conversation, do any of the following with attachments:

Share, save, or print an attachment: Tap the attachment, then tap .
Copy an attachment: Touch and hold the attachment, then tap Copy.
Share items from another app: In the other app, tap Share or , then tap Messages.
Forward a message or attachment: Touch and hold a message or attachment, tap More, select additional items if desired, then tap .
Delete an attachment: Touch and hold a message or attachment, tap More, select additional items if desired, then tap .

Note: Attachments you send over iMessage (such as photos or videos) may be uploaded to Apple and encrypted so that no one but the sender and receiver can access them. To improve performance, your device may automatically upload attachments to Apple while you are composing an iMessage. If your message isn’t sent, the attachments are deleted from the server after several days.

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iPhone User Guide