The "app drawer" is redundant and poorly located. My large thumbs cannot avoid striking the photos or apps tab at least once every time I strike any of the top row characters, q-w-e-r-t-y...etc.
How can this tab be permanently turned off, deleted or hidden.
(I am not willing to turn it off every time I tap out a message).
This question was asked previously by another user and never answered appropriately
iPhone SE, iOS 16
Tap on the gray App Store icon next to the Message box to turn it off. It should not turn on again, unless you tap on that icon again.
click here ➜ Use iMessage apps in Messages on iPhone - Manage Apps - Apple Support
You can also remove all apps from the bar except for Photos, App Store and Memoji, and the (...) More bubble at the end. You can tap on the more bubble and then on Edit to remove all removable apps from favorites and turn off all apps so they don't appear on the bar.
Tap on the gray App Store icon next to the Message box to turn it off. It should not turn on again, unless you tap on that icon again.
click here ➜ Use iMessage apps in Messages on iPhone - Manage Apps - Apple Support
You can also remove all apps from the bar except for Photos, App Store and Memoji, and the (...) More bubble at the end. You can tap on the more bubble and then on Edit to remove all removable apps from favorites and turn off all apps so they don't appear on the bar.
Ok I thought that was a temporary closing of the "drawer", but so far so good.... thank you.
How do I get rid of the iMessage app bar FOREVER
