The iOS 18 update adds many new features to the Messages app, including the ability to schedule messages to send later, and the ability to use any emoji or any sticker as a quick reply, which is known as “Tapback.” It also adds text formatting options such as bold and italics. And other features that we learn about in this article.
The iOS 18 update is currently available as a developer beta, and a public beta will follow within days. The official launch will take place in September, as usual, and it is compatible with iPhone XS and later.
Below we review everything that is new in the Messages app in the iOS 18 update, including some small changes that Apple did not mention.
Message scheduling
You can now schedule messages to send later in both individual and group conversations. According to the first beta version of the iOS 18 update, you can schedule a message to be sent up to 14 days. After you schedule the message, it will appear in a bubble with a dashed line with options to edit, delete, or reschedule it.
To access this feature, click the plus sign to the left of the text field, then choose “More,” then click “Send Later.”
Tapback changes
◉ Traditional quick reply icons have been redesigned to be colorful, including heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, “HA HA,” exclamation marks, and question mark.
◉ You can now use any emoji or sticker as a quick reaction.
◉ Visibility has also been improved, and it is now easier to see multiple reactions to a single message.
Format text and add effects
Text formatting options such as bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough are finally available in messages.
Additionally, there are all-new text effects that can animate words within a message, including Big, Small, Shake, Gesture, Explode, Ripple, Bloom, and Jitter.
Satellite messaging (for the United States)
The iOS 18 update allows both SMS and iMessage messages to be sent and received over a satellite connection, even when there is no emergency. This feature will work with messages, emojis, quick reactions, and all iMessages sent via satellite, and will be secured with end-to-end encryption.
This feature is available on all iPhone 14 models and later in the US only at launch.
Support RCS later this year
Apple announced that the iOS 18 update will support Rich Communication Services (RCS) in the Messages app. Although this feature is not enabled in the first beta version of iOS 18, Apple has stated that it will be added later this year, likely with the launch of the final version of iOS 18 in September.
RCS support will lead to improvements in the default messaging experience between iPhone and Android devices, including:
◉ Send photos and videos of higher quality.
◉ The ability to send voice messages.
◉ Writing indicators, so that it appears to other users that you are writing a message to them.
◉ Read receipts, so that it shows the sender whether the recipient has read his message or not. Read receipts usually appear as a ✓ or ✓✓ next to the message.
◉ Messages can also be sent via Wi-Fi.
◉ Plus improved group chats, including the ability to leave conversations that include Android users.
◉ SMS will continue to be supported.
Changes to emoji and link cards
◉ When sending a message that contains only one emoji, it will appear larger than before.
◉ Link cards are now more colorful, with the background better matching the linked content.
◉ For some links, you can now choose between full-sized and small-sized link cards, and there is an option to send a link as plain text instead.
Other changes
◉ Any app can be locked using your face, fingerprint, or password, including the Messages app.
◉ iOS 18 can solve mathematical equations in a text field in any app, including Messages.
◉ iOS 18 adds contact photos next to names in the Messages app on CarPlay.
Thus, the iOS 18 update provides a set of new and improved features for the Messages application, which enhances the user experience, and there may be improvements and features that do not appear until use.
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