That is true. But I think the question is about after one has sent an application. It is incredibly annoying that it now says: “You already applied for this sit”.
I know that. I want to know if I am still the only one, for example.
You can see whether THS msgs have been read:
In a current exchange, I’ve sent more than one message, but the “Read” indicator is shown for only one random message in the middle of the exchange, but not for the last one. Overall, like a lot of people I am still switching to the old style inbox. I really hope someone is happy and excited about the new inbox updates.
I was one of the volunteers who tested the new inbox and I immediately found this was an issue which I reported back .
It was reported and feedback by other users too . This was way back in February during the “testing “ stage .
It’s very disappointing that this has been rolled out before this known issue
was fixed .
Like @Silversitters I also fed back this issue during beta testing. They seemed to have taken this on board at the time, as the beta test interface subsequently changed to allow a larger textbox to open up on clicking apply.
It’s a shame this updated version wasn’t the one that went live. I don’t think they have much of a process for version control, as issues often reappear in new releases of the app too.
Hello, Thank you to everyone who has raised issues with the size of the message box. I passed your feedback onto the Product team and they mentioned it was the same size as in the Beta testing.
They also mentioned members use the inbox to send a large variety of different types and lengths of message. They will continue to monitor how people are using the inbox and may adjust things in the future if after monitoring it/collecting data it will improve the experience for all members.
If I get anymore information I will let you know here 
@Carla The main problem with the text box size occurs when sending an application for a sit …not a message . Whilst a general message may only need to be a sentence or two , it’s very restrictive to have such a small box when trying to create, edit and submit an application for a sit.
This was the specific feedback that the above mentioned users fed back during the test stage .
@Carla the beta testing was only carried out on the website, not the app. Is your screenshot of the tiny textbox on the app @anon47943759 ?
I’m highlighted this with the support team who say they’ll look into it. The more people that message the better. I’m having to compose it in my Gmail and copy it to the application box as it’s impossible to see more than a couple of lines.
It’s also annoying not being able to see if it’s ‘read’ unless it’s actually read whereas the old system showed ‘unread’ very clearly
@Silversitters Thank you for highlighting that applications are your main concern. The Product team is including applications in the message box concerns, apologies if my update did not specify that
@Debbie Sorry for any confusion the reply about the Beta testing message box size was as it was mentioned higher up the thread. The Product team are aware that the app message box is also a concern.
Any more updates I will let you all know. Thank you!
There’s nothing to monitor. My application, which isn´t very long, contains approx 1000 characters. Like most people, I like to see my entire message for easy editing, not just fragments of it. What do they want to monitor? What is there to monitor? Gibberish
Oh no, It is on the website. What a joke
No confusion here @Carla.
I was a beta tester.
Disappointment maybe.
Frustration at the responses from product. Definitely no confusion.
I recommend that we all switch to the old Inbox on a daily basis.
Product team may then get the message no one likes it
How interesting. So they purposely downsized the textbox? Because? And now they plan to monitor? Monitor what? Each time they monitor or do a survey, it results in the implementation of yet another hated-by-all-members “improvement.” No monitoring is required here—just a suitable textbox for writing is enough. It is beyond me that the size of the textbox is even up for discussion. Or is it an indication that some other “improvement” is on the horizon? It starts with monitoring.
What I would like to know: why is a textbox—a crucial communication tool—only a fraction in size compared to a completely useless decorative button that has no function at all?
Added: The above also applies to the review box
@Carla
This is what THS suggests a perfect application message should include-
it doesn’t fit in to the new text box -
if THS want applications to fit into the new text box this article needs to be revised .
“ 1. Explain why this is the sit for you
There’s lots of amazing house sits on TrustedHousesitters, but finding the perfect one (that’s just right for sitter, owner, and pet alike) is key!
Perhaps the sit you’ve found comes with the most beautiful chocolate Lab that reminds you of your childhood pet growing up. Or, being a bonafide cat person, you simply can’t resist the chance of a weekend snuggling up with those two moggies in Manchester.
Whatever your reasons, make sure to read the listing carefully, and identify what the owner (and most importantly, the pet’s) needs are from a sitter. As you write your application, try keeping these two questions in mind: what was it about this sit that stood out to you, and what makes you the best sitter for the job?
2. Introduce yourself
It’s time to let the owner know all about you and your amazing sitter story so far. Need some talking points? Why not start with…
- Your name, age, and where you’re from
- What you do for a living, or if you’re retired
- What you enjoy doing in your spare time
- Why you want to house sit
- If you’re a solo sitter, or if you’ll be sitting as a couple or a family
- A bit about why those dates suit you - are you local? Will you be traveling and working on a laptop from their home?
Remember, the owners will be taking a look at your TrustedHousesitters’ profile too, so it’s worth spending some time to write a sitter profile that you’re proud of.
3. Personalise your message
A personalised and thoughtful application is the true key to success, so while copy and pasting your application message might seem like the easy option, it’s unlikely to get you very far in your pet sitting journey.
Talk specifically about the owner, their pet and their home. Simple gestures, such as referring to the owner or pet by name can help your application stand out (particularly if they have a number of applications to sift through). Why not mention how much you love that photo of their Retriever, Rover playing in the garden, or how their lounge looks like the perfect place for you to work from home?
4. Show you care by talking about their pet
Owners understandably want to know that while they’re away, their pet will be cared for, loved and happy. So show you care by focusing on their pets, and how you can help!
A good place to start is by looking at what the owner has already said about their pet - if they’ve mentioned Buddy’s favourite activity is a walk down on the beach, why not mention how you’d be delighted to take him for a seaside stroll each day?
Ultimately, let your love of pets shine through in your application!
5. Speak about your previous sitting experience with a similar pet
For an owner, knowing their precious Springer Spaniel is in the hands of a fellow gun-dog aficionado could mean a world of difference, and could help give them real peace of mind.
So be sure to include the details of any home and pet care experience you already have, particularly if you’ve cared for a similar pet or breed before. Letting the owner know that you have this added experience will reassure them that their beloved pet will be in safe and experienced hands.”
Well done @Silversitters! What is recommended by THS has not a hope of being squeezed into that tiny message box to be able to be read by sitters as they write it.
@Itchyfeet - I switch to the old one all the time. I wasn’t part of the beta testing but can’t get on with the new one at all. Seems to be another big step backwards. The old in box will disappear and we will be stuck with it unfortunately 
@anon47943759 or maybe they have made a mistake and have managed to go live with the original code for that part of the inbox instead of the version they updated during beta testing. Look how often bugs in the app that have been fixed reappear in subsequent releases. Version control and quality control don’t seem to exist.
It works to squeeze in, but proofreading and editing are impossible. And, if one mistakenly pastes in as text, the whole formatting will go down the drain. Good luck to the hosts trying to read it – or they might just decline the sitter on the spot.