Messages keyboard shortcuts
Apple's Messages shortcuts cover conversation filters, search, replies, Tapbacks, message editing, and conversation details. This record is for the current macOS Messages app.
macOS · 35 shortcutsApp and conversations
Create messages, search conversations, switch filters, and change the Messages window from the keyboard.
| Action | macOS |
|---|---|
| Open Messages settings | Cmd, |
| Start a new message | CmdN |
| Close the Messages window | CmdW |
| Minimize the window | CmdM |
| Toggle fullscreen | CtrlCmdF |
| Search conversations | CmdF |
| Show all messages | CtrlCmd1 |
| Show messages from known senders | CtrlCmd2 |
| Show messages from unknown senders | CtrlCmd3 |
| Show unread messages | CtrlCmd4 |
| Show recently deleted messages | CtrlCmd5 |
| Open a pinned conversation by number | Cmdnumber |
| Open the first unpinned conversation | OptionCmd1 |
Message composing
Send, edit, format, and add a Tapback while the conversation composer has focus.
| Action | macOS |
|---|---|
| Send the message | Return |
| Insert a line break | OptionReturn |
| Edit a sent message | CmdE |
| Copy selected text | CmdC |
| Paste text | CmdV |
| Make message text larger | Cmd+ |
| Make message text smaller | Cmd- |
| Reply to the selected message | CmdR |
| Open the Tapback menu | CmdTthennumber |
| Open the emoji and symbols window | CtrlCmdSpace |
| Delete the selected message | Delete |
| Open the spelling window | ShiftCmd: |
| Check spelling | Cmd; |
Conversation details
Move between conversations, mark read state, and open contact, participant, and conversation details.
| Action | macOS |
|---|---|
| Select the next conversation | CtrlTab |
| Select the previous conversation | CtrlShiftTab |
| Show conversation details | OptionCmdI |
| Turn conversation alerts on or off | OptionCmdM |
| Mark the conversation read or unread | ShiftCmdU |
| Open the contact card | OptionCmdB |
| Email the contact | OptionCmdE |
| Open video effects | ShiftCmdE |
| Quick Look at an attachment | Space |