In iOS 26, on iPad (as least, but maybe phone too, yet to test) if you tap an iMessage (a second time) that should launch an iMessage App, it does not launch app.
Has anyone else seen this - it makes many iMessage app unusable.
Steps to reproduce
Send a message that launches iMessage on tap.
Tap message on recipient's device.
Observe iMessage App open.
Dismiss iMessage
Tap message again
Observe nothing happens, app is not launched.
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
General