Here’s everything new in the Messages app on iOS 18

iOS 18 adds many new features to the Messages app, including the ability to schedule messages to send later, the ability to use any emoji or sticker as Tapback, text formatting options like bold and italics, and much more.

iOS 18 is currently available in beta for Apple Developer Program members, with a public beta to follow in July. The software update is expected to be widely released in September and is compatible with iPhone XS and later.

Below, we break down everything new in the Messages app in iOS 18, including a few minor changes that Apple’s website doesn’t mention.

Schedule messages

iMessages can now be scheduled to send at a later date and time in individual and group conversations. Since the first beta of iOS 18, you can schedule a message to be sent up to 14 days later. After you schedule a message, it becomes visible in a dotted bubble, with options to edit, delete, and reschedule.

To access this feature, tap the plus sign to the left of the text field, tap More, and tap Send Later.

Tapback changes

Redesigned Tapbacks

The classic set of Tapback icons is now colorful, including heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, HA HA, exclamation marks and question mark.

Emoji Tapbacks

Now you can use any emoji or sticker as Tapback.

Improved visibility

It’s now easier to display multiple Tapback reactions on a single post.

Text formatting and effects

Bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough formatting is finally available for iMessages. Additionally, all-new text effects can animate words in an iMessage, including Big, Small, Shake, Nod, Explode, Ripple, Bloom, and Jitter.

Satellite messages Only U.S

iOS 18 lets you send and receive iMessages and text messages over a satellite connection, even if there’s no emergency.

This feature will work with Messages, Emojis and Tapbacks, and all iMessages sent via satellite are secured with end-to-end encryption.

Satellite messages are available on all iPhone 14 models and newer in the US only at launch.

Hands-on demo videos show the feature in action.

RCS support Later this year

Apple’s website states that iOS 18 will support RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Messages app. Although this feature is not enabled in the first beta of iOS 18, Apple has announced that it will be rolled out later this year, likely around the time iOS 18 is widely released.

Support for RCS will result in the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices:

• Higher resolution photos and videos
• Audio messages
• Strike Indicators
• Read receipts
• Wi-Fi Messaging
• Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users

SMS also continues to be supported.

Changes to Emoji and Link Cards

When you send a message with a single emoji, it now appears even larger than before.

Link cards are now more colorful, with the background better matching the linked content.

For some links, you can now choose between full-size and compact link cards, and there is an option to send a link as plain text instead.

Other changes