Messages can solve equations like a calculator with iOS 18

Apple released iOS 18 to the general public in September, a week after the company announced its new iPhone 16 range, Apple Watch Series 10 And more at her “Glowtime” event. The update brought many new features to your iPhone, like more ways to customize your home and lock screens, as well as RCS messaging. And the operating system now also lets you solve math problems right in your Messages app.

Before iOS 18, if you wanted to know how to share a bill with your remote texting group, you had to use your calculator app or Spotlight and then go back to Messages. With iOS 18, you can perform multi-step calculations in Messages, as well as convert things like currency and temperature, without switching apps.

Learn more: iOS 18 brings these new features to your iPhone

Here’s how to get Messages to perform calculations.

How to solve math problems in Messages

In order to solve a math equation in Messages, type the problem in your text field, add the equal sign (=) and the solution will appear in the predictive text field on your keyboard. Tap the solution to add it to your text.

Messages can solve simple equations, like “2+2=”, by typing them into the text field. The app can also solve equations that use more complex formulas, like the trigonometric functions of sine, cosine, and tangent. You must include the equal sign (=) in the end no matter what.

How to convert values ​​in messages

Converting values ​​in Messages works the same as solving math problems in the app. Type the value into your text box with the appropriate value marker – such as F for Fahrenheit or lbs for pounds – then type the equal sign (=), and the predictive text field above your keyboard will show you the conversion.

If you don’t specify what to convert to, predictive text will choose what to convert to. Don’t worry, it won’t try to convert pounds to minutes. Messages will show conversions to other similar units, so Fahrenheit will convert to Celsius and pounds to kilograms.

You can choose what to convert to by typing something like “60hr to min=” and Messages will show the conversion in the predictive text field, which is 3,900 minutes.

To learn more about iOS 18, here my opinion on iOS 18how to make sure RCS messaging is enabled on your iPhone and our iOS 18 cheat sheet. You can also check what iOS 18.1 could bring to your iPhone.