The iOS 17.2 update notes say:
Catch-up arrow lets you easily jump to your first unread message in a conversation by tapping the arrow visible in the top-right corner
I do not see this arrow in the top right corner using Voiceover. How does one get to this feature?
I've been frustrated with the Messages app for a long time because, while flicking through a number of messages, Voiceover announces all of the recipients and then the text of the mesage before speaking the "unread" status of a mesage. Thus it can take a long time to find the first unread mesage in the list, especially if, as in my case, one has a bunch of mesages with about 10 or 12 recipients.
Thus I was readlly looking forward to this feature but can't find it.
I've suggested to Apple Accessibility for several years now that, as in the Mail app, the "read/unread" status of a mesage should be spoken prior to any other information so that Voiceover users can efficiently figure out which mesages are unread.
Thanks for any suggestions or help.
--Pete
Comments
You might want to try top of screen
You might want to do a four finger touch toward the top of the screen to get you into the edit or compose area of the field. And I have to politely tell you that the word "Message" has two S's in it. Just trying to help you out.
Re: You might want to try top of screen
Sorry for the typo.
As I indicated in my original post, the release notes for iOS 17.2 say:
"Catch-up arrow lets you easily jump to your first unread message in a conversation by tapping the arrow visible in the top-right corner"
The only element visible with Voiceover on the top right of the screen is the "Compose" button.
From the top left of the dialog and swiping right, Voiceover announces:
Filters (back) (button)
Messages (heading)
More (button)
Compose (button)
Search (an edit field)
Dictate (button)
and then I get to the list of conversations.
There doesn't seem any way using Voiceover to get to the first unread message in the list as the release notes seem to indicate. I wonder if this was an oversight for Voiceover users?
--Pete
You're ok
Sorry to nitpick, I'm not fantastic on spelling but I couldn't let that one fly. Anyway what about tapping the "more?" If nothing comes of it, I guess Apple just decided to put it in for sighted users for not. I wouldn't worry as much. Except i'm the type that when I'm done, I just delete it. Plus, I can not abide the idea of having people mention me, read receipts, so I turn both of those off.
Open the conversation
Hi,
To access the new “catch up arrow “:
1. Open the conversation.
2. Find this new arrow & double-tap
Voiceover should then automatically jump focus to the first unread message and read it.
Re: Open conversation
When I open a particular conversation, the only element I see with Voiceover is "Facetime". I do not see any "catch up" element or arrow with Voiceover.
I was hoping that this new feature would actually bring me to the first unread conversation in my list of conversations. But it sounds like you are saying this new function is supposed to bring one to the last item in a string of text messages in a conversation.
Oh well. Maybe this doesn't work with Voiceover.
--Pete
2023
It works, but only kinda sorta. Like all things released by Apple this year, it tends to have a mind of its own.
I have used this at least twice on 2 seperate texts from friends & family. So yeah, it works, but only just. 😕
Still can't find the catch up arrow
I still don't see any "catch up arrow" using Voiceover. How is this announced in Voiceover?
Just to be clear, I should open an existing conversation, supposedly see this magic arrow at the top right of the screen, and, aftrer tapping it, focus should be at the last entry in the conversation thread. Is that what I should expect?
Thanks.
As I indicated before, a much more useful feature would be to bring one to the first unread conversation in the list of messages. Flicking through each conversation in the list reads the names of all participants before telling the read/unread status of a conversation, so it can take a llong time to find the first unread conversation.
--Pete
My Experiences with this Feature
Hi Pete,
I have some experiences with this feature that I hope may be helpful. The TL:DR version is that this button has appeared for me at the bottom of the screen near the message text field.
In iOS 17.2, I noticed a button with the label to the effect of, "Scroll to Last Unread Message." In the swipe order, this button has appeared just before the text field where you would type a message. If you open up a thread with unread messages, I personally would recommend putting your finger on the text field, then swiping left--until you either find that button or reach the message list.