Hands-On Apple 211: Recover Shared Content in Messages

Host: Micah Sargent
Release Date: December 11, 2025
Podcast: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)

Episode Overview

In this concise, practical episode, Micah Sargent guides Apple users through the simplest ways to recover shared content—photos, links, and documents—within the Apple Messages app on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Focusing on real-life use-cases ("Where’s that photo someone sent me?"), Micah delivers actionable step-by-step advice, with a special nod to both new and seasoned Apple users frustrated by long message threads.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Common Problem

[01:56]

• Many Apple users frequently lose track of shared content in busy message threads. Micah summarizes this recurring issue:
  • “A common thing I hear... Someone sent me this and I just can’t seem to find it.”
• The challenge involves sifting through long conversations to find a specific photo, link, or file.

2. Accessing Shared Content through the Messages App

[02:30 - 04:00]

• Step-by-Step Instructions on finding shared content without endless scrolling:
  • Launch Messages App: Works the same on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
  • Find Conversation: Open the message thread with the person who sent the content.
  • Disclosure Arrow: At the top, next to the contact’s name/face, click or tap the small arrow (the “disclosure triangle/arrow”).
    • “Clicking on it will open up a new tab—or in the case of your phone, will open up a new sort of slide over sheet...”

3. Exploring the Information & Backgrounds Tab

[04:00 - 05:45]

• Info Tab:
  • Shows the person’s contact info, location (if shared), various communication shortcuts (Call, FaceTime, Email, Share Screen), depending on available contact data.
    • “Because it has a phone number...and because it has an iMessage registered phone number and email address, all of those together are what make it possible for these to show up.”
• Backgrounds Tab:
  • Change the chat background for both users.
    • "Crucially, it's important to understand... it changes it for both you and the person on the other end of the line."

4. The Focus: Photos, Links, Documents Tabs

A. Photos
[05:45 - 07:59]

• Shows all photos (and videos) sent and received in the thread.
  • Click to Preview/Save: On macOS, you can drag to your desktop or save to Photos.
  • iCloud Messages: Gallery can pull from the cloud, depending on your sync settings and retention.
  • Both sent and received photos appear.
    • “It basically filters all of the messages for just the photos.”

B. Links
[10:00 - 11:10]

• Gathers all links ever sent in the conversation.
  • Easy to revisit articles, funny reels, or TikToks.
    • “I like this one in particular because I’m always getting articles and funny threads...”
  • Links are actionable—click/tap to open in browser.

C. Documents
[11:10 - 12:45]

• Lists shared files like PDFs, Pages docs, etc.
  • Use swipe gestures (on Mac trackpad) to quickly move between tabs.
  • Filter between all files and collaborations (documents/folders currently being worked on together).

5. Tips for Efficient Recovery

[12:45 - 13:25]

• Use the filter icon at the bottom to narrow down by type (Photos, Videos, Screenshots, or All).
• Sorting and navigating is consistent for all content types.
• Collaborations show items actively shared for editing, not just sent files.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Micah Sargent on User Frustrations:

  “Someone sent me this and I just can’t seem to find it.” — Micah Sargent [01:59]

• On the Disclosure Arrow:

  “If you see one of these arrows, it’s a disclosure triangle... clicking on it will open up a new tab or in the case of your phone, will open up a new sort of slide over sheet.” — Micah Sargent [03:20]

• On Photos Tab:

  “It basically filters all of the messages for just the photos. The photos will also show video as well.” — Micah Sargent [07:32]

• On Links Tab Utility:

  “I’m always getting articles and funny threads and funny reels and funny TikToks from people that I might want to show someone else. Being able to tap on links and find the one I’m looking for makes it very easy to do so.” — Micah Sargent [10:15]

• On Sorting Through Files:

  “So you can very easily see what you’re looking for... Very easy. You can very easily kind of sort between what you’re looking for.” — Micah Sargent [12:30]

• Micah’s Closing Tip:

  “Next time you’re going, now what in the world was that message that somebody sent me that had a link in it and it was really funny?...All you’ve got to do: hop into the messages app, tap on the little disclosure arrow to bring up this set of tabs, and choose the proper tab for the type of shared content you’re looking for.” — Micah Sargent [13:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:56 — Episode overview & common frustrations recovering content
• 02:30 — Step-by-step navigation to access shared content in Messages
• 04:00 — Info & background customization explained
• 05:45 — Photos tab: viewing, saving, and retrieving from iCloud
• 10:00 — Links tab: easy access to previously sent/received links
• 11:10 — Documents tab: shared files, collaborations, and swiping between categories
• 12:45 — Filtering options and search tips
• 13:10 — Micah’s actionable closing advice

Tone, Style & Closing

Micah’s tone is friendly, patient, and empowering—addressing common user issues with empathy and certainty. The episode is clear, step-by-step, and encouraging to listeners at all skill levels. Micah ends with an invitation to send questions and promises more actionable advice in future episodes.