I Tried All the New Features Coming to Messages With iOS 18 — Here’re the Top 10 You Should Be Most Excited About

zinghayLast Updated: August 18, 2024

5 minutes read

Get ready to revolutionize the way you communicate with iOS 18, as Apple has infused the Messages app with a blend of intelligence, customization, and practicality. Gone are the days of simple texting; Messages is evolving into a powerful communication hub. Let’s delve into the top 10 features that will leave you wondering how you ever lived without them.

Remember when texting was just about sending words? Those days are long gone. Apple’s iOS 18 is taking Messages to a new level with a blend of intelligence, customization, and practicality that will make you wonder how you ever lived without it.

Here are the top 10 new features to look forward to in ‌iOS 18‌, set to launch this fall alongside the new iPhones.

Math Notes: Calculations at Your Fingertips

Ever found yourself needing to quickly perform a calculation while in the middle of a conversation? Now, you can simply type something like “5*5” in the message, and iOS 18 will instantly provide the answer right within the text box.

This functionality extends beyond basic arithmetic. You can seamlessly convert currencies by typing something like “$100 to euros” followed by an equal sign, and the app will instantly display the equivalent value.

It’s a small feature that packs a big punch of convenience, especially for those quick, on-the-go calculations.

Customize Link Cards: Tailored Link Presentation

Have you ever sent a link and wished it looked cleaner or took up less space? With iOS 18, you’re now in control of how your links are displayed. You can choose from a compact card, just the URL, or the full preview, ensuring your messages are tidy and visually appealing.

This simple change gives you control over the aesthetics of your messages, allowing you to highlight the most important information and maintain a consistent visual style.

Schedule a Text Message with Send Later: No More Midnight Texts

Gone are the days of late-night text anxiety! iOS 18’s Send Later feature lets you craft a message and schedule it to be sent at the perfect time, ensuring you don’t disturb anyone’s sleep.

Here’s how to use this handy feature:

1. Compose your message as you normally would.
2. Tap the More (+) button next to the compose window.
3. Select Send Later from the menu.
4. Use the time picker to choose the exact date and time you want the message to be sent.
5. Tap the Send button (the up arrow) to finalize your schedule.

Once set, your scheduled message will be subtly outlined with a dashed border. If you need to adjust the timing, simply tap Edit above the message and select Edit Time from the options.

RCS Messaging: Enhanced Cross-Platform Communication

iPhone users have long envied Android’s messaging features, like read receipts and typing indicators when texting across platforms. With iOS 18, Apple finally embraces RCS, bringing a more cohesive messaging experience to both iMessage and Android users.

You’ll now see those familiar ellipses when someone is typing, and you can even send high-quality images and videos without the typical compression issues. While some iMessage exclusives, like unsending or editing messages, remain, RCS marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between Apple and Android ecosystems.

Text Styling and Animated Effects: Express Yourself with Flair

For years, Messages lagged behind other Apple apps in offering rich text formatting, but with iOS 18, that’s no longer the case. You can now add bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough to your texts, giving you the tools to emphasize your words precisely as you intend.

But that’s not all. Apple has introduced eight playful special effects that you can apply to individual characters:

• Big
• Small
• Shake
• Nod
• Explode
• Ripple
• Bloom
• Jitter

While these effects might seem a bit over-the-top for everyday texting, they definitely add a fun, expressive layer to your messages, allowing you to convey your personality and emotions in a unique way.

New Tapback Reactions: Enhanced Visuals and Emoji Flexibility

Tapbacks, those quick-response icons you use by long-pressing a message, are getting a significant upgrade with iOS 18. The updated design features vibrant colors and finer details for the six standard icons, visible both when you react and receive Tapbacks.

In group chats, you’ll now see who sent each Tapback, adding clarity to your responses. Additionally, iOS 18 allows you to use any emoji, sticker, or Memoji as a Tapback, making your reactions even more personalized.

After long-pressing a message, you can access the emoji response by either swiping left or tapping the thought bubble emoji icon at the bottom. This expanded flexibility allows you to express your reactions in a more nuanced and expressive way.

Messages Via Satellite: Staying Connected Even When Off-Grid

Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite, first introduced with the iPhone 14, has proven invaluable in emergency situations. It allows you to send messages to emergency services when out of cellular range.

Building on this capability, Apple is now extending satellite connectivity to regular texting. If you’re away from Wi-Fi or cellular networks and have an iPhone 14 or later, your Messages app will prompt you to connect to a satellite.

The Dynamic Island will guide you in maintaining a strong connection. You can send texts as usual, with features like emojis and Tapbacks fully supported.

To explore this feature, visit Settings > Apps > Messages > Messages via Satellite > Satellite Connection Demo, or test it out in a remote area to experience its seamless connectivity capabilities.

Text Summary: Quick Insights for Long Messages

Ever received a lengthy text that you just didn’t have time to read? iOS 18’s text summary feature comes to your rescue, intelligently condensing the key points of the message into a concise overview.

This feature is especially helpful for busy individuals who need to quickly grasp the gist of a long message. You can then choose to delve into the full message if needed, but the summary provides a convenient way to stay informed without getting bogged down in details.

Apple Intelligence: Seamless Communication Assistance

Apple’s new intelligence tools, available exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models and newer, take communication assistance to a new level. The smart replies feature is particularly noteworthy, offering quick, context-based responses that appear right above your keyboard.

Imagine someone asks if you want to meet today or tomorrow. The smart replies will automatically suggest appropriate responses, saving you valuable time and effort. It’s like having a personal assistant right there on your phone, streamlining your conversations and making them more efficient.

Wrap Up: A New Era of Communication

These are just a few of the many exciting features that iOS 18 brings to Messages, transforming it from a simple texting tool to a hub of smart, efficient communication.

Apple continues to blur the lines between simple messaging and a more integrated, intelligent communication experience, setting the stage for a new era of how we connect with each other.

Let us know in the comments which new features you’re most excited to try out once iOS 18 becomes available this fall.