Can't drag the cursor up in text messages on new iphone 15 Pro iOS 17

I switched from my iphone 13 pro with iOS 17 (no problems with the upgrade) and now I've lost a bunch of features. This post is about typing a long enough text message so the beginning is hidden at the top. I can scroll to read the whole thing but I can't edit at the beginning. I push/hold on the message (or spacebar) and drag to the cursor to where I want it. I let go and it pops back down to a different part of the message. I don't need it often but it's something that Apple should be aware of if it's happening to others.

iPhone 15 Pro

Posted on Oct 3, 2023 10:51 AM

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Posted on Nov 1, 2023 5:33 AM

I updated my phone to iOS 17.1 yesterday (10/31/2023). It seems to have resolved both the drag and drop cursor issue and my stickers feature disappearing (different discussion). The Stickers would stop about a day after getting them to work again so I'm hoping they're good now. I was able to drag my cursor around in a long text as a test and that was just like it used to be (yay!), however, I haven't had to do that so it may have been fixed before 17.1. I hope the update works for all of you!

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215 replies

Jan 1, 2024 1:28 PM in response to joysoul

Yes it’s a pain but this is a good work around… Also… cut and paste into notes… make corrections there… then cut and paste back into message… but seriously apple… just fix it and stop making these time waster changes…


sometimes… the “don’t fix it if it’s not broken” philosophy is okay to live by…

Jan 9, 2024 4:42 PM in response to KateT1208

That doesn’t work. As soon as you let go, it either jumps back down or cursor is hidden.

I just discovered that if I type a letter when the curser is hidden, then it lets me edit the text above.

So many work arounds suggested. I hope they fix it so it works like it used to.


Honestly, I’ve always hated texting on iPhones. I miss my android just for the texting. So much better!

Nov 25, 2023 9:28 PM in response to zenpop_seattle

Good idea - to use Apple Care if it still covers a new phone.

I booked a genius appointment within the 14 day return period wishing in to return it.

He was not phased - he didn’t see it as very important. Then when I got him to try it on his own phone and the problem showed itself there too. He was even less phased and said there’s no reason to return it.

He just said it’s clearly a glitch with the brand new operating system which will be sorted out and added he didn’t write long messages.. Irritating as of course that’s not the point.


It would be constructive if this was taken far more seriously by Apple. The cursor is fundamental. To be able to easily control it and place it where one wants is fundamental. It would show good faith if Apple acknowledged this problem and acknowledged that it was serious.


My last post was removed and I don’t know why and they didn’t tell me why. (I read the terms and don’t know what I did wrong.) I’ve started using this site for the first time due to this cursor problem. Are the people that remove posts Apple or volunteers?


It’s not just getting the cursor to go where one wants in longer messages that is the only problem with it. But it’s also what some others have touched on regarding issue placing it where one wants generally (not just in the messages app) and how it likes to select words one doesn’t want it to. It’s a nightmare. Most un-user friendly.


Yet my other iPhone that I haven’t updated to iOS 17 is still running beautifully regarding the cursor.


Is anyone a developer? Does anyone know what Apple has done to the iOS to make the cursor function so bizarrely in iOS 17? Does anyone know a route to a much higher level in Apple to flag this?

Nov 27, 2023 12:44 AM in response to Kellisthinking

Sadly no re. Kellysthinking suggestion of going to very start of message, that resetting cursor issue, and all good. It seems to work but as soon as one scrolls down and back. The issue is back. Then when one tries this trick again - of putting cursor at very start - the trick doesn’t work anymore either. Therefore messy and unreliable. Thanks anyway.


Only thing consistently working for me is placing the cursor where one wants it. Ignoring the fact the view then bounces down and the edit location is then out of view and one can’t see the cursor. But then starting to write or speak anyway, and then it suddenly shows you the spot you’re editing and lets you edit. This came from another discussion on this same issue.


All still bl**dy annoying but there you go.


Yes wish someone from Apple would comment.

Dec 3, 2023 11:47 PM in response to ChrisWW

Interesting you say iPhone 12 only.

I didn’t find it to be related to the phone but the iOS.

Had a 12 for 3 years without this problem. Had a 15 and immediately updated to iOS17 and cursor problems. I also still have an iPhone 11, which is still on iOS16 and no cursor problems.

The comments appear to point to the iOS not the phone.

Why it’s not sorted out by now I have no idea as having good functionality of the cursor is fundamental.


Jan 7, 2024 3:26 PM in response to Susie237

This is a workaround but you should be able to select all and cut all the text. Pop it into notes and correct it then you should be able to copy and paste it into a new text, or right from notes you can directly text.

For now until this problem is fixed it’s better not to send long texts but shorter pieces at once I have found. Such a serious problem that has persisted for sometime. if I kind of milk it up a couple lines at a time I can get it to the top usually. But this is a pain. I have a 14 Pro. should call it 14 not So pro.

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Can't drag the cursor up in text messages on new iphone 15 Pro iOS 17

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