Here's how you can disable URL preview in Messages app for iOS and macOS whenever you send someone a link.

Learn to Disable URL Preview in iOS and macOS Messages App and Earn Some Privacy Along with Speed

The way Messages has evolved over time is nothing less than stellar. With new feature additions arriving with every new iOS and macOS release, everyone is constantly waiting for the next big thing.

Of course, this doesn't mean that those feature additions are always necessarily great. Take the in-line URL preview feature as an example. It works fine, gives you a glimpse of the site you're going to jump into. But obviously, whenever you hit the send button, the link gets resolved, the wheels start spinning and everyone around you get to see the preview too.

Not exactly fast, and not private either. So if you want to disable URL preview feature in Messages app, then there's a quick workaround which you can try. It works on both iOS and macOS. Here's how it goes.

Tutorial

1. Launch the Messages app.

2. Paste the link which you wanna share but add a period "." before and after the URL you are sending. So if you are sending "www.wccftech.com" to someone, instead type ".www.wccftech.com.". Refer to the screenshot below if there is any confusion.

3. Just hit send. You'll see no preview of the URL whatsoever, neither will the other person receiving it. Don't believe us? Try it yourself right now and be surprised.

Honestly, I wish there was a simple toggle switch to turn this feature on or off. Because once you are sending similar links to someone, and the site is not optimized enough, then finding the right link based on the thumbnail can be a bit annoying. But of course, when it comes to YouTube videos or any site that supports in-line playback in the Messages app, then there's no way you'd want this feature to be turned off.

While you are here, also check out the following:

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