Messaging from Contacts

Hello, teiemitchell.

Make sure to have a current backup: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Then follow this article as a guide to reinstall your iOS without losing data: If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Step #4 is important to choose "Update".

After the reinstall of iOS, check to see if this issue still persists, if it does, contact Apple Support.

Cheers!

Hello, teiemitchell.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

From what I've read is that when using the Contacts app to open to messages, it doesn't open the thread but instead opens up the search bar to add a contact. I'd like to help.

Does this seem to happen with all contacts in the app or just one specifically?

I'd also check your Siri Search & Suggestions for contacts. Use this link as a reference: Siri Suggestions, Search & Privacy

If this is only happening with one contact, try deleting the conversation and start up a new one. If this is happening with multiple contacts, create a new contact and see if the same issue occurs. These steps can help us narrow down the issue.

Keep me updated.

Cheers!

Hello, teiemitchell.

Thank you for getting back to us in Communities. Were you able to try the other steps provided to see if that helped resolve the issue? If you haven't done so already, restart your iPhone. Sometimes a restart can help resolve issues.

Best regards.