How to Show Contact Photos in Messages on iPhone 13: A Step-by-Step Guide

Seeing contact photos next to text messages on your iPhone 13 can make your messaging experience more personal and visually pleasing. It’s a simple process that involves tweaking a few settings in your iPhone.

Step by Step Tutorial: Show Contact Photos in Messages on iPhone 13

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to note that displaying contact photos next to messages can make it easier to identify who you’re chatting with at a glance. This can be especially useful if you’re someone who receives a lot of texts throughout the day.

Step 1: Open Settings

First, tap on the Settings app on your iPhone 13.
Opening Settings is your gateway to customizing your iPhone experience. This is where you’ll find all the options to make your device work the way you want it to.

Step 2: Scroll to Messages

Scroll down in the Settings menu until you find the ‘Messages’ option and select it.
The Messages section of your Settings is where you can adjust all the preferences for your text messaging, including notifications, message history, and, crucially for us, contact photos.

Step 3: Enable ‘Show Contact Photos’

In the Messages settings, find the ‘Show Contact Photos’ option and toggle the switch to the green ‘on’ position.
By enabling this option, you’re telling your iPhone that you want to see the visuals of your contacts. This is a simple toggle switch, but it makes a world of difference in the way your messages look.

After completing these steps, you’ll notice that your text messages now display your contacts’ photos next to their messages. If a contact doesn’t have a photo, you’ll see their initials in a colored circle instead.

Tips for Showing Contact Photos in Messages on iPhone 13

  • Make sure your contacts have photos assigned to them in the Contacts app for this feature to work.
  • If you have multiple contacts with the same name, adding photos can help you differentiate between them quickly.
  • High-resolution contact photos will display better and more clearly in your messages.
  • If you’re concerned about privacy, remember that anyone who sees your phone’s screen will also be able to see these contact photos.
  • You can easily remove contact photos from messages by reversing the steps and turning off the ‘Show Contact Photos’ option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the contact photos are not showing after I’ve followed the steps?

Make sure that the contacts in question have photos assigned to them in your Contacts app. Also, try restarting your iPhone as sometimes a quick reboot can fix minor glitches.

Can I customize the shape and size of the contact photos?

Unfortunately, the shape and size of the contact photos are set by the iPhone’s system and cannot be changed.

Will this feature work if I’m using a third-party messaging app?

This feature is specific to the Messages app on the iPhone. Third-party apps have their own settings and may or may not support contact photos.

What happens if I update my iPhone software?

Updating your iPhone should not affect this setting. However, it’s always a good idea to check your settings after an update to ensure everything is still set up how you like it.

Can I sync contact photos from social media?

Yes, you can use third-party apps to sync contact photos from social media to your iPhone’s Contacts app, which will then show up in Messages.

Summary

  1. Open Settings
  2. Scroll to Messages
  3. Enable ‘Show Contact Photos’

Conclusion

Showing contact photos in Messages on your iPhone 13 is a nifty little feature that can elevate your texting experience. It’s a breeze to set up and can save you precious seconds when you’re quickly scanning through your messages. Imagine being able to know exactly who sent you that text without even reading their name – that’s the convenience you get with this feature. Plus, it’s a great way to make use of all those contact photos you’ve been collecting over the years. So, go ahead and give it a try. Personalize your messaging, make it more visually engaging, and enjoy a touch of individuality in your conversations. You’ve got nothing to lose and a whole lot of functionality to gain. Now that you know how to show contact photos in Messages on iPhone 13, go ahead and make your messaging experience as unique as you are!