10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do With Apple Messages

With each release of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, Apple Messages appears to gain new or improved features. Here are a few features you might have missed because of how frequently additions are made.

Keep in mind that when messaging Apple users with iMessage, all features are accessible. Some features may function or appear slightly differently on other types of devices, such as Android phones.

1. Editing Recently Sent Messages

You can now edit a text message for up to 15 minutes after sending it on iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura.

You can right-click on a Mac or tap and hold the sent message bubble on an iPhone or iPad. Choose “Edit” make your changes in the resulting text message field, and then check the box to save them.

Below the message, your recipient will see an “Edited” indicator, which they can select to view the original message.

2. Undo Send for the Last Message

Apple also added the option to resend a text message in addition to the Edit feature mentioned above. A Gmail or Outlook email can be recalled in a similar way. After sending a message, you have up to two minutes to cancel it.

The sent message bubble can be tapped and held on iPhone and iPad or right-clicked on a Mac. Choose “Undo Send” You’ll then see the message removed effectively.

Keep in mind that the message may be seen by the recipient before you unsend the message. It does, however, disappear from the conversation.

Also: How To Reverse The Most Annoying Changes in iOS 16

3. Use Inline Replies to Organize Responses

A feature called Inline Replies can help you organize your responses. When you’re texting quickly back and forth and want to be sure everyone knows which message in the conversation you’re replying to, this is useful.

The sent message bubble can be tapped and held on iPhone and iPad or right-clicked on a Mac. Choose “Reply” The message you want to respond to will be front and center, and the rest will be obscured. Then send it as usual by entering your response in the message field.

The reply will then be linked to the original message in the main conversation, which both you and your recipient will see. To see the entire “side conversation” with the rest blurred, click the Reply or Replies link located below the message.

4. Track Flights and Packages

You can check the status of each directly in the Messages app if you receive a message that includes a flight number for a traveler or a tracking number for a package.

Simply tap the number on an iPhone or iPad, or click it on a Mac. Select “Preview Flight” for a flight, and “Track Shipment” for a package.

The status of the flight or package will then be displayed in a small pop-up window or a separate window, depending on your browser settings. Additionally, you can find out more information as it becomes available, like the time of departure and arrival or the current location of a package.

5. Replace Words With Emoji

You may have noticed that you have the option to enter an emoji when you type specific words in the message field on an iPhone or iPad. But you can also do this for any words that support emojis after you’ve finished writing the entire message.

Enter your message in the text field on your iPhone or iPad, but hold off on sending it just yet. Instead, click the icon in the bottom left to reveal the Emoji keyboard.

Any text in your message that has a corresponding emoji will be highlighted. To insert an emoji instead of a highlighted word, tap the word. Directly above some words, you might see a variety of options to choose from. 

6. Use a Mention to Get Attention

Although this feature functions in one-on-one conversations, group messages benefit most from it. You can bold a person’s name and notify them when you mention them in a message.

Start typing the contact’s name into the iPhone, iPad, or Mac and then select it from the list of suggestions that appears. Alternately, type their name followed by the @ (At) sign.

Your recipient sees their name nice and bold to get their attention.

Keep in mind that you have control over the mentions in Messages notifications. Use the Notify Me toggle under Settings > Messages on an iPhone or iPad. Use the Notify Me When My Name is Mentioned check box in Messages > Settings > General on a Mac.

7. Handwrite or Sketch a Message

How about handwriting or drawing your next message if you want to try something a little different? This can be done on an iPhone or an iPad, and it only takes a minute to personalize your message.

Turn your iPhone so that it is in landscape view by tilting it to the side. You can use either view on an iPad. On the keyboard’s bottom right, click the scribble icon.

A blank canvas will show up for you to write or draw on with your finger (or an iPad’s Apple Pencil). Along the bottom, you can choose from recent drawings and suggestions. Tap “Done” after adding your message.

Your handwriting or drawing will then appear in the text message field. Send it just as you would any other message.

8. Filter Messages

You can use filters with a tap or click to quickly see your unread messages, those from known or unknown senders, or texts you’ve recently deleted.

On the main Messages screen of an iPhone or iPad, tap the Filters arrow in the top left corner. Select a filtering criteria after that to view your results.

Choose “View” from the menu bar on a Mac. After that, pick the filter you want to use to view the outcomes.

9. Tapback to Quickly React

In Messages, using a Tapback is among the quickest ways to acknowledge a text. A heart, a thumbs up, a thumbs down, a laugh, an exclamation point, or a question mark can be used as a response.

Tap and hold the message on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, then right-click it and choose “Tapback.” All you have to do is select the response you want to deliver. The icon for the reaction can be seen on the message bubble’s corner by your recipient.

The recipient sees a text label rather than an icon if they are using an older version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.

10. Send Bubble or Screen Effects

Message effects are another feature that is just plain enjoyable. You can spread your message using a screen effect like lasers or fireworks or a bubble effect like “loud” or “invisible ink.”

Type your message into the iPhone or iPad, then tap and hold the Send button. A screen with tabs for the available Bubble and Screen effects will appear. Simply tap the Send button for the one you want after choosing one to preview.

Write your message in the message field on Mac, then click the capital A icon next to it and select “Message Effects.” On a single screen, you’ll see each Bubble and Screen effect individually. Click the Send button after choosing one to use it after seeing a preview.

Your recipient will see your effect the first time they view the message. To relive it, they can also tap Replay just above the message bubble.

You can correct a sent message, keep track of deliveries, see only the messages you need, and send a humorous message to a friend using these helpful Messages features. Do you share our excitement for what Apple will add to Messages next?