iOS 18 provides many new options to the Messages app, together with the flexibility to schedule messages to be despatched later, the flexibility to make use of any emoji or sticker as a Tapback, textual content formatting choices like daring and italics, and far more.
iOS 18 is at the moment accessible in beta for members of the Apple Developer Program, with a public beta to comply with in July. The software program replace ought to be broadly launched in September, and it’s suitable with the iPhone XS and newer.
Under, we define every 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 may 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 function, faucet the plus signal to the left of the textual content area, faucet Extra, and faucet Ship Later.
Tapback Adjustments
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 accessible 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 by way of Satellite tv for pc U.S. Solely
iOS 18 means that you can ship and obtain each iMessages and SMS messages by way of a satellite tv for pc connection, even when there isn’t a emergency.
This function will work with messages, emoji, and Tapbacks, and all iMessages despatched over satellite tv for pc are secured with end-to-end encryption.
Messages by way of satellite tv for pc is on the market on all iPhone 14 fashions and newer within the U.S. solely at launch.
Fingers-on demo movies present the function in motion.
RCS Help Later This 12 months
Apple’s web site says that iOS 18 will help RCS (Wealthy Communication Providers) within the Messages app. Whereas this function just isn’t enabled within the first iOS 18 beta, Apple mentioned will probably be rolled out later this yr, possible by time iOS 18 is broadly launched.
WWDC keynote slide confirming RCS help on iOS 18RCS help 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 flexibility for iPhone customers to depart a dialog that features Android customers
SMS continues to be supported as properly.
Emoji and Hyperlink Card Adjustments
If 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.
