Hey Reader! 👋

😖 The issue

iOS 18 adds exciting new features to the Messages app. In just a few steps, you can make your messages more expressive than ever. From animated bubbles to emoji tapbacks, these features make communication more fun.

Most people stick to basic texting, which can make messages feel flat and impersonal. You may send a heartfelt message, but it doesn’t always translate the way you intended.

Sound familiar?

There’s a better way to communicate with messages.

With iOS 18’s new features, you can instantly add personality and emotion to your messages.

Below, I’ll walk you through 3 ways to make your texting more exciting and expressive in the Messages app.

Before we go any further, make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18. If you’re not sure how to update, check out this Apple Support guide: How to download iOS 18.

OK, let’s dive in!

👇 Give it a try

Style and animate messages

Instead of sending basic, boring messages, you can make each one stand out.

Step 1: Format or animate text within messages

In the Messages app, style your messages with bold, italics, or underlining. You can also add fun animations, like "explode" or "shake," to any part of your message—even emoji.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Start a new conversation or open an existing one, then type your message.
3. Select the text you want to style or animate.
4. Tap the text format button above the keyboard and choose a style (bold, italic, underline, or strikethrough) or an animation (big, small, shake, explode, etc.).
5. Hit the Send button when you're ready.

You can also pick your format or animation before typing your message.

Step 2: Animate messages with effects

You can animate your messages in fun ways, like using "Slam" or "Loud" to make them pop, or "Gentle" for a softer effect. You can even send a message with "Invisible Ink," which stays blurred until the recipient swipes to reveal it.

Here’s how to use these message effects:

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. In a new or existing conversation, type a message or add an image or link.
3. Touch and hold the Send button. Then tap on the gray dots next to each option to preview the different effects.
4. Tap the Send button to send it, or tap the X to go back to your message.

React with Tapbacks in Messages

Tapbacks let you quickly reply to a message with: a heart, thumbs-up, thumbs-down, laughter, exclamation points, or a question mark. In iOS 18, you can also use emoji, stickers, or Memoji in your tapbacks.

Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Select a conversation.
3. Double-tap or touch and hold a message.
4. Swipe left to see suggested emoji and stickers, or tap the Emoji button to choose from more options:
   • Other emoji: Tap the Emoji button and browse through different categories.
   • Stickers: Tap the Stickers button to select one.

The Tapback will attach to the specific message and everyone in the conversation can see it.

Schedule a message to send later

If it's too late to send a message or too important to forget, you can schedule it to send later.

Step 1: Schedule a message

You can schedule a message to be sent up to 14 days in advance.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Apps button (it looks like a +), then select Send Later.
3. Tap the time to open the scheduler and choose when to send your message.
4. The text field will have a dashed border, and the scheduled send time will appear above the message.
5. Type your message, then tap Send.

The message will show a dashed line until it's sent, even if all your devices are offline.

Something cool: Scheduled messages are encrypted and stored on Apple servers until they’re sent. Once delivered, the dashed line disappears and the balloon turns a solid color.

Step 2: Change the time to send a message

You can reschedule a message anytime before it's sent.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Go to the conversation with the scheduled message.
3. Scroll to the bottom if you don’t see it (scheduled messages might be below other sent ones).
4. Tap Edit next to the date above your scheduled message, then choose one of these options:
   • Reschedule: Tap Edit Time, pick a new time, then tap away to save.
   • Send Now: Tap Send Message to deliver it right away.

✨ One more thing

Now you've mastered how to use the new features in iOS 18 to make your Messages more expressive and engaging. Congratulations!

We covered:

• How to format and animate text
• How to animate message bubbles and full-screen effects
• How to react with new Tapbacks
• How to schedule messages for later

These steps will make your messages stand out and they'll help you showcase your feelings better. Enjoy using these new iOS 18 features to bring more life to your conversations!

P.S.