Every new iMessage feature coming to your iPhone in iOS 18 | Digital Trends

One of the best new features in the iOS 18 Messages app is the ability to schedule messages to be sent later, a feature previously only available in the Mail app. It might be sensible to postpone sending a message for several reasons. For example, you might want to avoid interrupting the recipient late at night or during their work hours. It could also be a situation where the recipient is in a different time zone, and you want the message delivered at a more appropriate time.

Another reason to delay a message is to give yourself time to review and revise it, if necessary, before sending it. Scheduling it for later allows for a cooling-off period and the opportunity for a final review. You can also edit and delete scheduled messages at any point before they’re sent, giving you plenty of flexibility.

Delaying messages is particularly useful for reminders that are best seen later in the week. For instance, if you’re hosting a party on Saturday and want to remind your guests on Friday not to forget, but today is only Wednesday, delaying the message can help ensure it is sent at the right time.

Finally, scheduling messages ahead of time is a great way to draft special messages, such as birthday wishes. For example, you can plan and create scheduled messages for everyone with a birthday next month and have them sent on each recipient’s big day.

Over the years, Apple has added tools to make everyday texts more creative, and iOS 18 adds even more features to make each of your messages distinct.

You can bold, italicize, underline, and strikethrough words in the Messages app with iOS 18. You can also apply animated effects to any letter, word, phrase, or emoji. For example, you can make content appear bigger or smaller, or have it “explode” or “nod,” and much more.

Perhaps even better, you will receive recommendations on which effects to use based on the words in the message you’re typing. These formatting options are housed in a new menu (seen above), making it quick and easy to apply these effects whenever you want.

Tapbacks are a great way to react to a message quickly. Unfortunately, in the current form, Tapbacks are limited to sending just a few emoji like a thumbs-up or thumbs-down, haha, heart, or exclamation point.

In iOS 18, Apple is making Tapbacks even better by adding the ability to add any emoji or sticker. You can even use Live Stickers that you can design using your photos and favorite sticker packs. The Messages app will also keep track of your favorite Tapbacks, making them easier to find and use later.

Sending messages is a great way to reach out to someone quickly. However, your messages won’t be delivered if you don’t have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. With the release of iOS 18, if you have an iPhone 14 or later, you can send messages even without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.

In these situations, satellite capabilities will be used. You can still utilize all the critical features of texting someone on iMessage, and it’s all done through end-to-end encryption.

In addition to the features above, Apple Intelligence will heavily influence the Messages app in iOS 18. Apple Intelligence is the company’s version of AI and could potentially alter how we use our mobile devices going forward.