Messages shortcuts
- 44 shortcuts
- 2 sections
- Communication
- Verified against official docs
Your answer helps keep this page right.
Do these shortcuts work for you?
The General section covers the app: Start a new message, Search all conversations and the filters for the conversation list, such as Show conversations with unread messages. Conversations works inside a chat: Reply to the last incoming message, Edit a sent message and Delete a single message.
Start with these
- Start a new message
- Search all conversations
- Reply to the last incoming message
- Edit a sent message
- Mark a conversation as unread or read
- Select the next conversation
Tips for Messages
- Select the next conversation ⌃Tab and Select the previous conversation ⌃⇧Tab move through the conversation list.
- Hide or unhide alerts for a conversation ⌥⌘M silences one conversation and leaves the others as they are.
- Mark a conversation as unread or read ⇧⌘U switches a conversation between the two states.
Jump to section
General25
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Delete Conversation | |
| New Tab | |
| Bold | |
| Italic | |
| Underline | |
| Send Drawing | |
| Send Message | |
| Start a new message | |
| Close the Messages window | |
| Search all conversations | |
| Quit Messages | |
| Show all conversations | |
| Show conversations from known senders | |
| Go to the first unpinned conversation | |
| Open Messages settings | |
| Open the Messages window | |
| Show conversations from unknown senders | |
| Open the Emoji and Symbols window | |
| Hide everything except Messages | |
| Print the conversation | |
| Show recently deleted messages | |
| Enter full-screen view | |
| Hide Messages | |
| Show conversations with unread messages | |
| Minimize a window |
Conversations19
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Edit a sent message | |
| Reply to the last incoming message | |
| Hide or unhide alerts for a conversation | |
| Show selected image in Quick Look | |
| Copy the selected text | |
| Add a Tapback to the last message | |
| Mark a conversation as unread or read | |
| Delete a single message | |
| Paste copied text | |
| Select the next conversation | |
| Open the Contact card | |
| Make the text smaller | |
| Check for spelling and grammar issues | |
| Open the conversation Info view | |
| Show video effects | |
| Make the text bigger | |
| Open the Spelling and Grammar window | |
| Select the previous conversation | |
| Send an email to a selected person |
Report a problem
GitHub is public. Email is private.
Related resources
More Communication shortcuts
Explore more macOS apps
Frequently Asked Questions
How many keyboard shortcuts does Messages have on macOS?
Messages has 44 keyboard shortcuts on macOS, organized into 2 sections: General, Conversations. This page lists all of them with searchable, organized shortcut tables.
Which Messages shortcuts should I learn first?
Start with Start a new message (⌘N), Search all conversations (⌘F), Reply to the last incoming message (⌘R), Edit a sent message (⌘E), Mark a conversation as unread or read (⇧⌘U), Select the next conversation (⌃Tab). The sections on this page list the rest.
Can I download Messages shortcuts as a PDF?
Yes. Click the download button at the top of this page to generate a printable PDF cheat sheet with all 44 Messages shortcuts. The PDF includes organized sections, keycap-style key labels, and space for your own notes.
Where is the official Messages keyboard shortcuts documentation?
The official Messages keyboard shortcuts documentation is available on their website. Every shortcut on this page is sourced from and verified against the official documentation to ensure accuracy.
Do these Messages shortcuts work on all Mac keyboards?
Yes. These shortcuts work on all Mac keyboards, including MacBook built-in keyboards and external Apple keyboards. The modifier keys are Command (⌘), Option (⌥), Control (⌃), and Shift (⇧). On keyboards without a Function row, some F-key shortcuts may require holding the Fn key.
Maintained by Vladik Didyk
Access Messages shortcuts from your menu bar
KeyShortcut detects the active app and shows its shortcuts instantly. Switch it on in Settings. No memorization needed.