Fix iMessage Only Showing First Letter of Text Messages

If you are using iOS 17, you might have come across a frustrating bug in iMessage where only the first letter of your text appears.

This issue affects various iPhone models, and while it can be super annoying, there’s hope that Apple will address it in a future update.

For now, though, you can try a few things to fix the problem temporarily.

In this article, I will explain what causes iMessage to show only the first letter of your texts and walk you through some simple steps you can take to fix it.

Why Is iMessage Only Showing the First Letter of Text Messages?

This issue is likely due to a bug in iOS 17, which has affected users across different versions of the software.

However, it’s also possible that the problem is related to your font size settings, especially if you’ve adjusted them in the past.

Larger or customized fonts can sometimes cause display issues like this, where only part of the text appears.

Let’s go through some troubleshooting steps that might help you fix this iMessage issue.

First, check if there’s an available iOS update, as Apple may have already addressed the bug. To do this, head to Settings > General > Software Update and install any updates if available.

If the problem persists even after updating to the latest version, follow the steps below to resolve it.

1) Scroll Up and Down in the iMessage App

Many users have found a temporary fix to the issue of iMessage only showing the first letter of text messages by simply scrolling down and back up in the conversation.

While this may not be a permanent solution, it can help make the text fully visible again for the time being.

Here’s how you can try it:

Open the iMessage conversation where you’re facing the issue.

Scroll down to the bottom of the messages in the thread (if there are only a few messages, scroll down until the text is hidden).

Then, scroll back up to the top. Alternatively, let go of the screen, and your iPhone will automatically scroll back up.

This might temporarily resolve the glitch, but ideally, you will want to use other methods or wait for a permanent fix from Apple in a future update.

2) Click on the Letter to Reveal the Message

If you still can’t see your messages after scrolling, there’s another trick you can try.

Tapping on the letter may sometimes reveal the entire message.

Open the iMessage conversation where you’re having issues.

Tap on one of the speech bubbles (the bubbles containing your messages).

Wait a moment to see if your messages become visible again; this usually takes just a few seconds.

While this isn’t a permanent fix, it might work as a quick workaround until you can find a more lasting solution.

Tip: Turn your phone sideways to view the entire iMessage conversation if you’re only seeing the first letter. This is a temporary fix for the issue, it will return when you switch back to upright.

3) Change the Font Size in Display and Brightness instead of Accessibility

If you set the text font size too large even if it doesn’t seem that way, adjusting the text size in your settings can potentially resolve the issue.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.

Under the Vision section, select Display & Text Size and Turn off Bold Text.

After that tap on Larger text and move the slider at the bottom to the left to reduce the size of your text.

Instead, you can use the Display & Brightness settings to select Bold text and adjust the size:

Go back to the Settings app. Tap on Display & Brightness.

Here, you can toggle on Bold Text for clearer visibility, while also adjusting the overall text size.

Reducing the text size in these settings may help you view your iMessages properly again.

4) Force Quit iMessages App

If none of the above tips have worked, you might want to try force quitting the Messages app to see if that resolves the issue. Here’s how to do it:

Swipe up from the bottom of your screen. This can be done regardless of whether the Messages app is currently open or not.

When all your open apps are displayed, swipe up on the Messages app to close it completely.

Return to your Home Screen and reopen the Messages app.

Go back to the conversation and check if you can now see the entire text message.

This simple restart of the app can often help clear any minor glitches that might be affecting its performance

5) Force Restart Your Device

Force Restarting your device can often resolve temporary glitches or issues with apps, including iMessage.

1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
3. Press and hold the side button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

Once your iPhone has restarted, check iMessage to see if you can now view the entire text message.

6) Update Your iOS Software

Apple typically addresses bugs like this through software updates. If you’ve tried all the previous solutions and the issue persists, it’s a good idea to check for any available iOS updates.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.Go to General > Software Update.

Wait a few moments for your iPhone to search for any updates. If an update is available, select Update Now. You may be prompted to enter your passcode.

Allow your iPhone to update its software. The duration of the update will depend on the size of the update and the strength of your internet connection.

Updating your device can effectively resolve bugs like this one. If Apple has released a patch for the issue in the latest update, your problem will likely be permanently fixed.

Regular updates not only enhance the performance of your device but also address various glitches and improve overall security.

It’s always a good idea to keep your iPhone up to date to ensure you’re benefiting from the latest features and bug fixes.

Wrapping up

I hope that after trying all the solutions mentioned here, you can view your messages again.

Since this issue is likely a software-related bug, keeping your device updated with the latest Apple updates is essential, as they will address it in due course.

In the meantime, feel free to explore the other workarounds or fixes that may work for you.