Why can’t I save a draft in text messaging on my iPhone

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Level 1

18 points

Why can’t I save a draft in text messaging on my iPhone

If I’m replying to a text as an ongoing string, my unsent content will remain until I send, delete, or cancel it. Which is helpful, but not a comprehensive solution. My problem occurs, and I’m sure I’m not alone here, when I’m composing an involved and lengthy text to someone, and this usually relates to something specific, and then shoot me out a causal text, maybe a quick question that’s time sensitive, I can’t answer them without either sending, or deleting, the text I’m in the middle of writing. I can’t even copy it, and save it to notes, to later retrieve, and continue. While this isn’t something that happens often, it happens often enough to where one would think a solution would have been provided, by now. I can’t just be me that keeps running up against this being a material problem.

iPhone 8 Plus, iOS 16

Posted on Aug 16, 2023 3:02 PM

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Answer 1

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kirby146 Author

Level 1

18 points

Aug 16, 2023 3:29 PM in response to kirby146

When replying to a text as an ongoing string, my unsent content will remain until I send, delete, or cancel it. Which is helpful, but not a comprehensive draft saving solution. My problem occurs, and I’m sure I’m not alone here, when I’m composing an involved and lengthy text to someone, and this usually relates to something specific, and in the middle of writing it, they happen to shoot me an unrelated text, maybe just a simple quick question, that might be time sensitive. I can’t answer them without either sending, or deleting, the text I’m in the middle of composing. I can’t even copy, and paste it to notes, an email to myself, or even copy it period, until it’s sent. It’d be helpful to just set it aside, address the matter at hand, and get back to it after. This can’t be that hard to solve, and though it doesn’t happen often, it’s often enough to warrant a solution, and that one would have been provided, by now. It can’t just be me that keeps running-up against this being a material problem.

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Answer 2

Apcom42

Level 1

8 points

Dec 28, 2023 6:34 AM in response to kirby146

Ways to save an unsent text message include highlighting and saving the text content and then saving it to Pages, Notes, or even a draft email. When you’re ready to use the temporarily saved content, highlight it, re-save it, place it as a usable new text message to send, and copy it.

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Answer 3

H1290

Level 5

7,260 points

Aug 16, 2023 3:44 PM in response to kirby146

Hello kirby146!

If I’m replying to a text as an ongoing string, my unsent content will remain until I send, delete, or cancel it.

Yes, that is expected behaviour. If it disappears when you shut down the device, I don’t know.

I can’t even copy it, and save it to notes

I just tried to copy/paste an unsent message from Messages to Notes, and it worked like a charm.

I can’t just be me that keeps running up against this being a material problem.

It happens to me too. I copy-paste the unsent message to Notes, reply to the person if need be, and then continue writing my message.

Another suggestion: If you know you’re going to write a long message, simply write it in Notes, then copy/paste to Messages.

Another reason to do this is, if you start writing a message using the “New Message” button in the top right corner of the Messages app, and a new message comes in and you click on it, the drafted message will be deleted.

Have a nice day, and good luck!

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