With each new version of iOS, macOS or iPadOS, Apple Messages, your iPhone/iPad's messaging and texting app is getting improvements and new features. With this update frequency, it's not hard to miss some of these new features.
So here are several features of Apple Messages that you may not know about!
Note: All of these features are available when you send messages to Apple users with iMessage. Some are compatible with other types of devices, such as Android phones, but may look or work a little differently.
Edit recently sent messages
New in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura, you can edit a text message up to 15 minutes after you send it.
Speaking on iPhone and iPad, touch and hold the sent message bubble, or on Mac, right-click. Select "Edit," make your changes in the text message field that appears, then check the box to save the change.
Be careful though, your recipient may see an “Modified” indicator below the message which they can select to view the original message!
Unsend the last iMessage with Apple Messages
In addition to the above edit feature, Apple has introduced the ability to unsend a text message. This feature is similar to the recall an email in gmail or Outlook. You can cancel a message up to two minutes after sending it.
On iPhone and iPad, touch and hold the sent message bubble, or on Mac, right-click. Select “Unsend.” You’ll see the message disappear in a puff of smoke.
Note that your recipient can see the message in the interval between when they receive it and when you cancel it. After that, it disappears from the conversation. This feature will not work if the recipient has an older version of iMessage.
Replace words with Emoji
You may have noticed that when you type some words In the message field on iPhone or iPad, you have the option to insert an emoji. But you can also do it after you have finished typing the entire message for all words for which an emoji is available.
On your iPhone or iPad, type your message in the text field, but don't send it right away. Instead, open the Emoji keyboard using the icon in the bottom left.
You'll see that all the words in your message that have a matching emoji will be highlighted in orange. Tap on a highlighted word to replace it with the emoji. For some words, you may see different options to choose from directly above the word.
Use “Inline Answers” to organize answers
The "inline replies" system is a feature that can help you organize your replies. They make it easy to see which message you're replying to. This is really handy when you're texting quickly and want to make it clear which message in the conversation you're replying to.
On iPhone and iPad, press and hold the message bubble you sent, or on Mac, right-click. Select “Reply.” You’ll see the specific message you want to reply to front and center, with the rest dimmed. Type your reply in the message field and send it as usual.
You and your recipient will then see a line connecting the reply to the message in the main conversation. Select the “Reply or Replies”xReplies” link below the message to see the entire “side conversation” with the rest dimmed.
Use a mention to grab attention
While this technique works in one-on-one conversations, it is particularly useful in group messages. You can mention someone in a message which then bolds their name and sends them a notification.
On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, start typing the contact's name, then choose them from the options that appear. You can also type the @ symbol followed by their name.
Your recipient sees their name in bold and beautiful letters to grab their attention.
Note: You can control notifications for mentions in Messages. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Messages and scroll down to the “Mentions” section. Turn on “Notify Me.” On Mac, go to Messages > Settings > General and check the box for “Notify Me When My Name Is Mentioned.”
Handwrite or send a drawing
If you want to try something a little different with your next message, why not handwrite or draw a picture? You can do this on iPhone and iPad and it only takes a few moments to make your message original.
On iPhone, turn your device sideways to landscape view. On iPad, you can use either view. Select the sketch icon at the bottom right of the keyboard.
You will see a white canvas appear on which you can write or draw. with your finger (or Apple Pencil on iPad). You can also see recent drawings and suggestions to choose from at the bottom of the screen. Add your message and click “OK.”
You will then see your Handwriting or your sketch in the text message field. Just send it like any other message.
Use “Reactions” to respond quickly
One of the quickest ways to acknowledge a text in Messages is to use “Reactions.” You can respond with a heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, laughter, exclamation, or question mark.
On iPhone and iPad, tap and hold the message. On Mac, right-click. Choose the reaction you want to send and that's it. Your recipient will see the reaction icon in the corner of the message bubble.
Note: For the old versions of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, the recipient sees a text label instead of an icon.
Send bubble or screen effects
Another fun feature is message effects. You can share your message with a bubble effect like “seer” or “invisible ink” or a screen effect like lasers or fireworks.
On iPhone and iPad, type your message, then tap and hold the Send button (the blue arrow). You'll see a screen with tabs at the top for available bubble and screen effects. Select one to view it, and simply tap the blue arrow to select it and send the message.
On Mac, type your message, select the capital A icon to the left of the message field, then choose “Message Effects.” You’ll see all the Bubble and Screen effects on one screen. Select one to preview and click the Send button to use it.
Your recipient will see your effect the first time they view the message. They can also tap “Replay” above the message bubble to enjoy it again.
In recent years, Apple Messages has really gained traction with new features like the ability to edit recently sent messages up to 15 minutes after sending them, unsend a message up to two minutes after sending it, replace words with emojis, etc. It's important to note that some of these features are only available when messaging Apple users with iMessage and may differ on other devices like Android phones.
