diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/account.py b/python/src/deltachat/account.py
index 514884207..ef2b70c83 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/account.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/account.py
@@ -273,6 +273,14 @@ class Account(object):
         )
         return list(iter_array(dc_array, lambda x: Contact(self, x)))
 
+    def get_fresh_messages(self):
+        """ yield all fresh messages from all chats. """
+        dc_array = ffi.gc(
+            lib.dc_get_fresh_msgs(self._dc_context),
+            lib.dc_array_unref
+        )
+        yield from iter_array(dc_array, lambda x: Message.from_db(self, x))
+
     def create_chat_by_contact(self, contact):
         """ create or get an existing 1:1 chat object for the specified contact or contact id.
 
diff --git a/python/tests/test_account.py b/python/tests/test_account.py
index a411927b1..4b1948464 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_account.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_account.py
@@ -928,6 +928,13 @@ class TestOnlineAccount:
         assert msg_back.text == "message-back"
         assert msg_back.is_encrypted()
 
+        # test get_fresh_messages
+        fresh_msgs = list(ac1.get_fresh_messages())
+        assert len(fresh_msgs) == 1
+        assert fresh_msgs[0] == msg_back
+        msg_back.mark_seen()
+        assert not list(ac1.get_fresh_messages())
+
         # Test that we do not gossip peer keys in 1-to-1 chat,
         # as it makes no sense to gossip to peers their own keys.
         # Gossip is only sent in encrypted messages,