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If you use iMessage to stay in touch with your loved ones, you’re in for a treat when iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia become available in fall 2024. Apple announced these nifty Messages app features at WWDC 2024.
1Schedule Messages to Send Later
Message scheduling has been one of the most requested iMessage features for years, and Apple is finally bringing it alongside iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. So, if you want to make sure you don’t forget to wish someone on their birthday or it’s too late at night to send a work-related message, you’re able to schedule it for later with the Send Later feature.
A scheduled message will stay in your chat as a text bubble with dotted outlines until it’s sent. You’ll be able to edit and make any changes or cancel the scheduled message before it’s sent.
2Messages via Satellite
If you own an iPhone 14 or newer model, you may be familiar withthe Emergency SOS via satellite feature. It lets you contact emergency services when you don’t have access to a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. With iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, Apple is introducing a similar feature in the Messages app.
You will be able to message your loved ones over a satellite connection to inform them of your whereabouts. Apple’s Messages app will prompt you to connect to the nearest satellite when Wi-Fi and cellular networks are unavailable.
And the best part? You can also use this feature to message those without Apple devices over SMS. However, only iMessage texts are end-to-end encrypted.
Not all iPhones are supported, though. Like Emergency SOS via satellite, you need an iPhone 14 or newer model to use Messages via satellite. Plus, this feature will only be available in the US initially when Apple rolls out the update.
3RCS Messaging
In late 2023, Apple announced that the Messages will support the RCS messaging protocol in 2024 via a software update. At WWDC 2024, Apple revealed that it’s coming alongside iOS 18. So,what does RCS messaging coming to iPhones mean for you?
The RCS protocolwill improve non-iMessage conversations with features such as richer media, delivery, and read receipts that aren’t available on SMS and MMS. So, texting your friends who own Android devices won’t be so cumbersome.
4Tapback With Emojis and Stickers
Tapbacks, a feature Apple first introduced alongside iOS 10, lets you quickly react to messages with a heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, haha, question mark, or exclamation marks.
With iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, you will have more ways to react, as Tapbacks now support emojis and stickers—including thecustom Live Stickers you can create on your iPhone.
5Text Effects
Although you may alreadyadd cool animated effects in iMessage, those are bubble effects and screen effects. For example, they don’t animate the words you type but rather the text bubble.
The Messages app on iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia will let you emphasize the words, emojis, or phrases you type with text effects. Depending on what you type, the Messages app will automatically suggest a text effect, but you can also manually choose from a bunch of effects Apple offers.
6Text Formatting
Lastly, iMessage will finally get text formatting options like bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough so that you may better express your tone while messaging people. You simply need to select a word and choose from one of the formatting tools that appear right below the text field.
Even though Apple is bringing some quality-of-life features to improve the iMessage experience, those who use the Messages app to text Android users will also benefit from features like SMS via satellite and RCS messaging.
If you want to try these new features early, you caninstall the iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 beta now. If you own a Mac, you cantry the macOS Sequoia betatoo. However, remember that beta builds are far from stable; you may encounter app crashes, battery drain, and other performance issues.
