iOS 26 Adds Long-Awaited Text Selection Feature to Messages
Copying parts of a message in the Messages app has always been a clunky experience — until now. With iOS 26, Apple finally introduces a smarter, more flexible way to interact with message bubbles. Users can now highlight and copy just a portion of text instead of grabbing the whole message, a long-requested tweak that greatly improves usability.
Smarter Text Selection in iOS 26 Messages
The new text selection feature in iOS 26 Messages appears when you tap and hold a message bubble. Alongside the usual "Copy" and reaction icons, a new "Select" option now lets you isolate and highlight just the text you want. No more copying entire blocks of conversation just to extract one useful snippet. Whether it's an iMessage or a standard SMS, the new control works seamlessly across both.
How the New Select Tool Improves Message Management
With iOS 26, the Select tool allows for precise control over which part of a message to copy. For example, if a friend sends you a long message with an address, phone number, and reservation details, you can now choose just the address and paste it into Maps—without needing to delete the rest manually. This enhancement fixes one of the Messages app’s most common frustrations for iPhone users.
Why This Matters for Everyday iPhone Users
The Select option feels like a small addition, but it dramatically improves how people use iOS Messages in real life. From sharing recommendations to planning trips and confirming logistics, users regularly need to grab just a slice of information from a conversation. iOS 26 finally makes that possible with no extra effort. It’s thoughtful, user-friendly, and long overdue.
When to Expect iOS 26’s Public Release
Apple is expected to release the first public beta of iOS 26 soon, with the full version arriving this fall. Once live, this new Messages upgrade will make text selection faster and less frustrating — a quiet but impactful improvement to how millions use their iPhones daily.
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