How messages work

These screenshots use sample content in a preview version of Idle. Your app may look different. Select an image to see the full screen.

Common actions

Find a conversation

1. Open Messages to see your eligible Direct and Group chats together.
2. Use the top-right filter to choose All chats, Direct, Groups, or Unread.
3. Use Search to narrow the selected filter, then tap a conversation to open it.

Searching or choosing a filter does not mark messages read or give access to additional chats. If a conversation seems missing, choose All chats and clear Search first.

• Message connectionsOpen Messages from the Home sidebar, or tap Message on a connected profile. Tap the new-message button for New message and choose a connection. Write your message, then tap the up arrow to send. If the photo button is available, tap it beside the message field and choose a photo before sending.

  

  

• Use statusesShare a short status with connections for about 24 hours. Tap Your status: use the plus for a new status, or the pencil to edit. Write your status and tap Save. Use Delete status to remove an existing status.

  

• Send Convoy invitesOpen your active Convoy while parked. Tap the code beside the share icon, then choose a connection in Share Convoy to send an invite card.
• Reply and retryTouch and hold a message to open its actions. Choose Reply, write your response and tap the up arrow to send. If a send fails, tap Retry to try the same message again.
• Open shared photosTap a photo to open it full screen. Pinch or double-tap to zoom, use the download button to save it, and close or swipe vertically to return when it is not zoomed.
• Use safety controlsReport messages or block accounts when needed.

Find group conversations

Choose Groups in the Messages filter to show eligible group chats. Choose All chats to return to the combined inbox. You can also use Open Chat from a group you belong to.

Choose a message reaction

In an app version with emoji reactions, hold another person's eligible sent text or photo message and choose heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, laugh, emphasis, or check. You can use one reaction per message: a different emoji replaces it, and the same emoji again or Remove reaction removes it. Double-tapping still toggles a heart.

You cannot react to your own, pending, failed, or deleted-for-you messages. In Group chat, tap a reaction badge to see who reacted. Reaction details stay within the conversation you can access.

A new reaction can notify the author when their settings allow it. Changing the emoji does not send another alert or mark an already-read Activity entry unread. Removing it clears its Activity entry, but cannot remove an iPhone banner that was already delivered.

Return to recent messages

When you scroll back through a Direct or Group conversation, tap the down-arrow Jump to latest control when it appears to return to the newest messages. Scrolling manually can interrupt the move. In a shorter layout, scroll inside a longer message draft to review all of its text before sending.

What to expect

• Direct messagesSending new direct messages requires an accepted connection. Blocking or losing a connection can stop new messages. Existing history can remain after a connection ends.
• Unsent conversationsIn the updated app, opening a new Direct composer without sending does not add an empty chat to the inbox. It may not appear until there is message activity. Existing conversations and eligible empty group chats can still appear.
• StatusesStatuses are short notes for connections and can expire after about 24 hours.
• Convoy invitesConvoy invite cards help a connection join an active Convoy. See Convoy location sharing for details about sharing your location.
• Temporary connection lossOpen conversations refresh recent messages after the connection returns.
• Saving photosSaving a shared photo requires permission to add it to your iPhone Photos library.
• Reduce MotionFull-screen photo transitions follow your iPhone's Reduce Motion setting.
• LinksExternal links in messages may ask for confirmation before leaving Idle.

Troubleshooting

• Message delayed or failedCheck your connection, reopen the thread, and tap Retry if the option appears. A retry continues the same message rather than creating another one.
• Photo cannot be retriedIf the original photo is no longer available, choose it again and send a new message.
• Photo will not saveCheck Idle's Photos permission in iPhone Settings, then try again.
• Convoy invite will not sendConfirm the Convoy is still active and the recipient is an accepted connection.
• Invite card will not joinThe Convoy may have ended, expired, or become full.
• Status disappearedShort statuses are temporary and can expire.
• Thread missingChoose All chats and clear Search. Then check whether the account is blocked or you still belong to the group. If a direct connection has ended, existing history can remain, but you need to reconnect before sending new messages.
• Scrolling shakes or jumps unexpectedlyIf this recurs in the updated app, contact support with your app version, iPhone model, and whether it happened after tapping the down arrow or while scrolling. Avoid including private conversation content unless needed.