iOS 18 provides many new options to the Messages app, together with the power to schedule messages to be despatched later, the power to make use of any emoji or sticker as a Tapback, textual content formatting choices like daring and italics, and way more.
iOS 18 is at the moment obtainable in beta for members of the Apple Developer Program, with a public beta to observe in July. The software program replace needs to be broadly launched in September, and it’s appropriate with the iPhone XS and newer.
Beneath, we define every little thing new within the Messages app on iOS 18, together with some smaller modifications that Apple’s web site doesn’t point out.
Schedule Messages
iMessages can now be scheduled to be despatched at a later date and time in each particular person and group conversations. As of the primary iOS 18 beta, you’ll be able to schedule a message to be despatched as much as 14 days later. After scheduling a message, it turns into seen to you in a dotted-line bubble, with edit, delete, and reschedule choices.
To entry this characteristic, faucet the plus signal to the left of the textual content discipline, faucet Extra, and faucet Ship Later.
Tapback Modifications
Redesigned Tapbacks
The traditional set of Tapback icons are actually colourful, together with the center, thumbs up, thumbs down, HA HA, exclamation marks, and query mark.
Emoji Tapbacks
Now you can use any emoji or sticker as a Tapback.
Improved Visibility
It’s now simpler to view a number of Tapback reactions on a single message.
Textual content Formatting and Results
Daring, italics, underline, and strikeout formatting is lastly obtainable for iMessages. As well as, there are all-new textual content results that may animate phrases inside an iMessage, together with Huge, Small, Shake, Nod, Explode, Ripple, Bloom, and Jitter.
Messages through Satellite tv for pc U.S. Solely
iOS 18 permits you to ship and obtain each iMessages and SMS messages through a satellite tv for pc connection, even when there isn’t a emergency.
This characteristic will work with messages, emoji, and Tapbacks, and all iMessages despatched over satellite tv for pc are secured with end-to-end encryption.
Messages through satellite tv for pc is accessible on all iPhone 14 fashions and newer within the U.S. solely at launch.
Palms-on demo movies present the characteristic in motion.
RCS Help Later This 12 months
Apple’s web site says that iOS 18 will assist RCS (Wealthy Communication Companies) within the Messages app. Whereas this characteristic shouldn’t be enabled within the first iOS 18 beta, Apple stated it will likely be rolled out later this yr, seemingly by time iOS 18 is broadly launched.
WWDC keynote slide confirming RCS assist on iOS 18RCS assist will outcome within the following enhancements to the default messaging expertise between iPhones and Android gadgets:
- Increased-resolution images and movies
- Audio messages
- Typing indicators
- Learn receipts
- Wi-Fi messaging
- Improved group chats, together with the power for iPhone customers to depart a dialog that features Android customers
SMS continues to be supported as nicely.
Emoji and Hyperlink Card Modifications
Whenever you ship a message with solely a single emoji, it now seems even bigger than earlier than.
Hyperlink playing cards are actually extra colourful, with the background higher matching the linked content material.
For some hyperlinks, now you can select between full-size and compact hyperlink playing cards, and there may be an choice to ship a hyperlink as plain textual content as an alternative.
