app drawer on iPhone message disappeared

iOS 17 changed that. Look for and tap the + sign just to the left of the text entry field.

Also see: https://9to5mac.com/2023/08/03/where-are-imessage-apps-ios-17/

I just spoke with Apple support and there’s no way to get the drawer back after the update. I told them that it wasn’t very smart to take away the drawer where it’s right there, and then they make it 4-5 more clicks to get to the app you want! You’d think with all the brains at Apple, they would know that wasn’t a smart change.

I absolutely do not care for the + to get the apps in the iMessaging box when sending texts. It changed today on my iphone and I had no idea what I did to make the drawer box go away. I WANT IT BACK THE WAY IT WAS. This takes more of my time and many more clicks......BAD MOVE and not considerate to your customers. I am sorry I let the update happen. Please change it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a user to user only forum. Telling other users they can put it back, gets you nothing.

Tell Apple what you want --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

For a company famous for ease of use and user experience with its products, this was an astoundingly retrograde change. It’s inefficient, which is the worst criticism I can make of Apple. Seriously, Apple devs! What was gained by this change???

Dear Apple:

Why in the world would you make this more cumbersome and numerous clicks to access what used to always appear in the text drawer above predictive text ???

Who in the **** thought this was a good idea ? Total fail.

Bring it back !!

You aren't writing anyone from Apple on this user to user only forum. Apple doesn't participate, respond to or read these user only posts for feedback.

If you want to tell Apple what you think, use this link --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Thanks very much! I thought I was losing my mind- more than usual.

I completely agree!!! This is something that I use constantly. I love just being able to get right to memes or photos. Apple, please revert this!

what would possess them to do this?

so true

they can put it back what fools

I thought you could do it. Please fix it kind sir. Please.

thanks for the link

Thanks