Why "Messages" app is never seen in the app list?

This has been puzzling me for years. Why it is impossible to switch back to [_Messages_ app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging) from any other app using app list? Two scenarios: 1. _Messages_ is **an active one**. I press the three dash app list button and I **can see it** in the list. I can _switch from that app_ to some other one. 2. I did what in above, _Messages_ app is now **in the background**. When I press the app list button, **it is not listed there**. I cannot _switch to that app_ from any other. I don't know like others, but for me this is very iritatting. Whenever I need to do something in another app (i.e. copy some contact details that I want to post via SMS), when I want to get back to _Messages_, I always must: * press _Home_ * find _Messages_ app's icon: * switch left/right to find the screen where I have _Messages_ app icon or * open app drawer and swipe left/right to find the correct app pane * tap that icon to "re-launch" _Messages_ app. What is so special in this app that it does not or cannot appear in the regular app list? I think I can name only this single app that has such a weird behaviour. I thought that the answer [is in here](https://android.stackexchange.com/q/1136/20449) that it simply behaves as Gmail. But that 2011's answer is no longer valid, because _Gmail_ does appear in the app list, while _Messages_ are not. ---- **EDIT**: I am using [realme GT 5G](https://www.gsmchoice.com/en/catalogue/realme/gt5g/) with Android 12 **13** and realme UI 3.0. But, as far as I recall, I have been observing this behaviour on **each and every phone** that I have been using since introduction of _Messages by Google_ app in 2014. Including: all my Motorola Motos (E3, E4, G4, Z2), Motorola One, TP-Link Neffos X9 and Xiaomi Redmi 6. The _Messages by Google_ app is seen (among others) in the app list **only** if you press app list button while having it in foreground. Switching to _any other_ app and pressing app list button again shows all apps in the background _except_ this one. All my phones were never rooted nor has any custom ROM installed. All of them has been used as they came from the shop, from the beginning till end.