Save a photo someone texted you on iPhone (4-Step Visual & Voice Guide)

Look on your iPhone for the green Messages icon with the white speech bubble inside. Tap it once, then open the conversation with the person who texted you the picture.

💡 Helpful Note: Can’t spot Messages? Swipe down from the center of your phone screen (not from the top of the phone, which opens shortcut icons instead of Search) to search “Messages”.

Look right next to the photo in the text thread for a small round icon (an arrow pointing down into a tray). Tap it once! Or, if you don’t see that little circle, press and hold your finger on the photo for one second and tap Save.

💡 Helpful Note: Be careful to only press gently for one second—you don’t need to push hard on the glass.

Right next to the photo, that round Save button turns into a round checkmark (✓) so you know your iPhone saved the picture.

💡 Helpful Note: If you used Press & Hold → Save, the menu simply closes—your photo is already saved!

Open the Photos app (the colorful pinwheel flower icon). Your newly saved picture will be waiting near the bottom of your recent photos.

💡 Helpful Note: Sometimes if a friend took the photo weeks ago, it may also appear sorted by the date the photo was originally taken.