Apple Is Making iMessage Way Better. Here’s How

When iOS 18 rolls out later this fall, your iPhone’s Messages app will get quite the upgrade. Specifically, the software update will include several highly requested features that have long been missing from Apple’s messaging app.

Here’s what you need to know.

You Can Schedule Messages, Finally

Apple

It seems crazy that you haven’t been able to schedule messages in the Messages app, but it’s true (unless you’ve been using a Shortcut, of course). Well, that’s changing with iOS 18.

When the software update rolls out, you’ll finally be able to schedule out messages. This way, you won’t feel weird about messaging somebody super late or early. You’ll be able to be more proactive with reminders and “Happy Birthday” messages, too.

You Can Format Messages with Bold, Italic or Underlined Fonts

Apple

Apple will give you more ways to format your messages in iOS 18, too. Just like in an email or Google Doc, you’ll be able to use bold, italic, and underlined fonts when sending messages. You’ll be able to use strikethroughs, as well. This way, you can express yourself better in messages.

You Can Use Animated Effects In New Ways

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To date, you’ve been able to send a message to somebody with an animated effect — such as “slam,” “loud,” “gentle,” or “invisible ink.” That’s not going away. However, with iOS 18, you can add a similar animated effect to specific words, letters, phrases or emojis. It promises to be another way to express yourself better in messages.

You Can Use Tapback Responses With Any Emoji

Apple

Most people use tapbacks — such as a thumbs up or down, a heart, exclamation or question marks, or a laugh (HA HA) — to respond to messages. It’s quick and easy. But up to this point, you’ve been limited to picking between just six tapback responses.

With iOS 18, you’ll be able to designate any emoji or sticker as a tapback response, giving you basically endless creative freedom in your responses.

You Can Send and Receive Messages When Off The Grid

iOS 18 will introduce a new feature called “Messages via satellite.” This will allow users to send and receive messages — texts, emoji, and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS — over satellite when traditional cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity is unavailable.

You’ll need to have an iPhone 14 (or newer) in order to take advantage of this, however, as earlier iPhones don’t support satellite connectivity.

Additionally, Messages will gain support for Rich Communication Services (RCS).  This promises to make messaging work significantly better between iPhones and Androids; features like read receipts and typing indicators should work, although details about this from Apple have remained scarce.

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