Enable iMessage (Messages) Subject Field in macOS Big Sur through Sonoma

macos-messages-subject-field.md

Want the Subject field (for bold iMessages) in macOS’ Messages app?

1. Quit Messages
2. Open Terminal
3. Run defaults write com.apple.MobileSMS MMSShowSubject 1
4. Start Messages

This worked for me on a fresh install of macOS 14.1.1 (23B81) (new Mac mini).

Amazing!

Awesome. Thank you!

This still works in 2022 on macOS Monterey. Thank you!

this does not work anymore :/

this does not work anymore :/

@gasiegbu it's still working for me on a Mac that's been upgraded from Big Sur to macOS Ventura 13.4.1 (22F82); which version are you on?

I no longer see it under com.apple.MobileSMS:

$ defaults read com.apple.MobileSMS
{
    conversationListFocusFilterActionEnabled = 0;
}

So it may have been automatically migrated elsewhere.

I'm on Ventura 13.3.1. Do I need to update the system?

Also, can you give a step-by-step on how to run this on the terminal? Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I keep Messages open while running it, then restart it. But it doesn't take.

I'm on Ventura 13.3.1. Do I need to update the system?

Also, can you give a step-by-step on how to run this on the terminal? Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I keep Messages open while running it, then restart it. But it doesn't take.

It sounds like you’re skipping step 1 in the instructions, maybe that’s the reason? I’m not totally sure, just a guess.

I tried it that way (quitting Messages) first, but it didn't work. Then, I googled and a different person said to keep it running. So I tried that, but it also wasn't working... So I'm not sure

I just tried again, following the steps, and it's not working still.

…

On Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 1:51 PM Aaron Brager ***@***.***> wrote: ***@***.**** commented on this gist. ------------------------------ I'm on Ventura 13.3.1. Do I need to update the system? Also, can you give a step-by-step on how to run this on the terminal? Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I keep Messages open while running it, then restart it. But it doesn't take. It sounds like you’re skipping step 1 in the instructions, maybe that’s the reason? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <https://gist.github.com/getaaron/a9dc64b6ea2fa8299af6b7077f4386ae#gistcomment-4633112> or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BBFEMQW6R6U27LYE7ZSOLWDXQ3EJVBFKMF2HI4TJMJ2XIZLTSKBKK5TBNR2WLJDHNFZXJJDOMFWWLK3UNBZGKYLEL52HS4DFQKSXMYLMOVS2I5DSOVS2I3TBNVS3W5DIOJSWCZC7OBQXE5DJMNUXAYLOORPWCY3UNF3GS5DZVRZXKYTKMVRXIX3UPFYGLK2HNFZXIQ3PNVWWK3TUUZ2G64DJMNZZDAVEOR4XAZNEM5UXG5FFOZQWY5LFVEYTANBXHE2DCOBSU52HE2LHM5SXFJTDOJSWC5DF> . You are receiving this email because you commented on the thread. Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS <https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905?ct=notification-email&mt=8&pt=524675> or Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android&referrer=utm_campaign%3Dnotification-email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgithub> .

-- Grace U. Asiegbu she/her/hers (what's that? <https://www.bustle.com/p/should-you-put-your-pronouns-in-your-email-signature-this-inclusive-workplace-trend-is-showing-up-more-more-2996610> ) Housing Reporter | Injustice Watch (708) 513-1747 | ***@***.*** | ***@***.***

Not working for me on Sonoma Dev. Beta 2 either Messages running or not and I tried sudo also - no avail.

This worked for me on a fresh install of macOS 14.1.1 (23B81) (new Mac mini).