Apple made numerous modifications to the Messages app in iOS 17, introducing a brand new look, up to date stickers performance, and vital new security options that assist individuals touring alone really feel safer.

This information highlights the entire options that Apple is including to Messages in ‌iOS 17‌.

Design Updates

Apple up to date the design of the Messages to chop down on muddle. The “+” button on the left facet of the compose window homes the entire Messages apps and instruments. Tapping on it brings up a dropdown checklist of choices, that embrace Digicam, Images, Stickers, Money, Audio, Location, Retailer, and Messages apps which have been put in.

You possibly can faucet on one of many choices to open its associated operate. So as a substitute of tapping on the little photographs icon so as to add a photograph as you probably did in iOS 16, you’ll faucet on the “+” button after which the ‌Images‌ choice to get to your Digicam Roll in ‌iOS 17‌.

In ‌iOS 16‌, Apple had a digicam icon and an App Retailer icon that might be tapped to develop the out there choices. Apps expanded throughout the highest of the keyboard horizontally, so the cleaner vertical design is a notable change. It makes for a way more simplified design, and it is simpler to inform what’s what with the bigger icons and textual content descriptions.

Test In

Test In is a security characteristic that you should use once you’re touring to have another person keep watch over your progress. You possibly can let a buddy or member of the family know that you are going someplace, they usually’ll be routinely notified once you attain your vacation spot.

To make use of Test In, you will want to pick out a dialog with a trusted particular person, faucet on the “+” button, and select the Test In possibility. From there, you’ll be able to enter the situation that you will and the time you are set to reach.

The particular person on the opposite finish will likely be notified that you simply’re heading someplace and when you must get there. In case you cease making progress when you’re in your manner, Messages will examine in with you to see what is going on on, and if there is not any response, your battery degree, full location, and mobile standing will likely be shared with the particular person you chose.

You possibly can customise the quantity of information that you simply share. Restricted shares location, community sign, and battery degree, whereas Full shares all of that plus route traveled, location of final iPhone unlock, and placement of the place the Apple Watch was final eliminated.

Whenever you arrive at your vacation spot, your buddy or member of the family is notified that you simply acquired there safely and the Test In ends efficiently.

Stickers

Stickers have been within the Messages app for years now, however they have not gotten quite a lot of consideration. Apple is altering that in ‌iOS 17‌, as a result of all emoji at the moment are thought-about stickers, along with precise stickers.

Emoji now behave the identical manner as stickers, so along with merely inserting them right into a dialog, it’s also possible to drag them anyplace on a message, and you’ll layer them on high of each other to create little emoji scenes. To place an emoji on a message, simply open the emoji keyboard, choose an emoji, and drag it as much as the message you wish to accent.

In case you open up the Stickers part of the Messages app, you will see stickers from apps you have downloaded, stickers you have created, emoji, and Memoji in a single spot.

Creating Stickers

Apple in ‌iOS 16‌ launched a Take away Topic From Background possibility, and in ‌iOS 17‌, you should use it to create and save your personal stickers. Select any of your photographs and lengthy press as regards to the photograph to get to the “Add Sticker” possibility.

Select that and it will likely be added proper to your sticker assortment, and if it is a Reside Picture, it would animate.

There are a variety of results that may be added to make your digital stickers look extra like actual stickers, together with a white define, comic-like shading, a puffy 3D look, and a shiny, holographic end. The sticker results will animate and replicate the sunshine appropriately, making your self-created stickers look professionally performed.

Sticker Reactions

With emoji in a position to be positioned anyplace on an iMessage, you should use them instead of tapback reactions. Simply drag the emoji to the message that you simply wish to reply to reasonably than lengthy urgent for a tapback.

Sticker Enlargement

Stickers can now be used anyplace that emoji will be accessed, together with third-party apps, photos, emails, and extra. So when you create your stickers from photographs, you are able to do extra with them than simply ship them to individuals utilizing Messages.

Memoji

Apple added new halo, smirk, and peekaboo Memoji stickers to go together with the prevailing nonetheless Memoji sticker choices.

Catch-Up

In case you get behind on a Messages chat with a buddy or with a bunch of individuals, ‌iOS 17‌ reveals you a catch-up arrow. In case you faucet it, it would soar to the primary message in a dialog that you haven’t seen.

Swipe to Reply

If you wish to reply to a particular message in a dialog, simply swipe from left to proper to deliver up the reply interface. It is a a lot faster solution to reply to one thing particular somebody has stated since you now not have to lengthy press and faucet the reply button.

Search Enhancements

Apple improved Messages search in ‌iOS 17‌ with an possibility to mix a number of filters. In case you’re searching for photographs from a sure particular person, for instance, you’ll be able to kind in “photographs” after which the particular person’s identify, tapping to pick out every search filter to slim down your search outcomes.

Audio Message Transcriptions

If somebody sends you an audio message and also you’re someplace the place you’ll be able to’t take heed to it straight away, ‌iOS 17‌ will transcribe it for you so you’ll be able to learn it as a substitute.

Auto-Delete Verification Codes

Many web sites and providers use texted one-time passcodes for verification functions, and people one-time codes can clog up the Messages app. In ‌iOS 17‌, there’s an choice to have these messages auto delete after the code is autofilled and used for a login. Apple ought to ask you if you wish to allow this once you use the autofill characteristic after upgrading to ‌iOS 17‌, however it may be toggled on manually underneath Settings > Passwords > Password Choices > Clear Up Routinely.

Location Sharing

With the “Location” setting underneath the Messages choices, you’ll be able to share your location or request a buddy’s location straight from the Messages app. It’s also possible to set a pin at a particular location you are going to be going to with out opening the Maps app.

Learn Extra

Extra data on the entire new options within the ‌iOS 17‌ replace will be present in our iOS 17 roundup.