Apple’s Messages app (née iMessage) was never intended for basic text messaging; More is always done, especially if the recipient also has an iPhone. Nowadays, texting is just the tip of the messaging iceberg. It’s an incredibly powerful platform for sending all kinds of things — from money to websites to motion graphics.
I’ve been using the iPhone since the beginning, and since most of my family has chosen the iPhone, I use Apple Messages extensively, and have explored its best features.
To access these tools, open Apple Messages and choose a conversation. At the bottom of the screen, next to the open text box, you’ll see a plus sign (‘+’). Tap the + sign and a long list of additional features will appear. This list will grow as you add apps that can use Apple Messengers for features, like the Starbucks app.
Here are seven fun and useful tools the Messages app offers to take your communications beyond basic texting.
Send the sticker you created from your favorite photo
To create a collage, open Apple Photos and find a photo that contains your subject in a pose that makes a great collage when the background is cut out. Then press your finger on the subject. You’ll see a wavy effect that traces the outline of your sticker. Lift your finger and a menu will pop up – choose the “Add Sticker” option.
If you try to create a collage using Live Photo, it won’t work. Placing your finger on a Live Photo plays the photo. You’ll need to turn off Live Photo first, then you can create a collage.
Once you’ve created a sticker in Photos, you can add it to your conversation by tapping the “+” sign to sign in to Messages and choosing “Stickers.” You can also add cool effects, making your sticker look puffy or sparkly in a way that reacts when you tilt your iPhone.
Send cash
Why bother with Venmo or Zelle when you can send money through Apple Messages? If you set up Apple Cash as a payment method, you can send money to another iPhone user through Messages, without opening a separate app or service.
Open Messages, tap +, then choose Apple Cash. You can send or receive money from this window. If you haven’t set up Apple Cash yet, open the Apple Wallet app. Cash should appear as one of your wallet cards.
Group opinion poll
Where should we have dinner? What time should we meet on Sunday? Have you seen the Super Bowl halftime show or the Puppy Bowl? Instead of sending questions to a group chat, send a survey instead.
Open Messages, tap “+” and choose “Polls.” You don’t have much control over the survey – being able to set a time limit would be nice. However, you can add a myriad of options, so you’re not limited to A, B, C, or none of the above.
Unlike sticker requests and Apple Cash requests, surveys can only be sent to iPhone recipients. If you have a group chat with a single Android user, you won’t be able to send a survey questionnaire.
Text…but not now
I use this feature All the time. Schedule a text message for later. Maybe you want to hit someone at the right moment – at the end of the school day rather than during class. Maybe you want to remind someone of an appointment. Maybe you don’t want to seem weird if you have an idea at 2 a.m. and want to send a message. Instead, write your message now and schedule it for later.
Open Messages, tap “+,” then choose “Send Later.” A bubble appears at the top of your text box, indicating the time your message will be delivered. Tap that bubble to change the time. You can also set your message to be sent up to 364 days in the future. Set your birthday messages now and get credit for next month!
Check in when I get there
Does someone frequently ask you to text me to let me know you got there safely? Your iPhone will remember to check in, even if you forget. Open Messages, tap “+” and then choose Check In, and you’ll find one of the coolest iPhone features.
You can set the check-in to occur when you arrive at a specific location, or send the check-in after a specified period of time. You can even inexplicably send an access check after you finish your workout if you coordinate with your friends Apple watch.
Checking in can send an interesting packet of details: your location, your phone’s battery level, and signal strength. You can also choose to send more details, like the route you took to your destination and the last location before you turned off your iPhone or removed your Apple Watch.
These features place Check In well in the world of safety and security tools, beyond simple messaging.
Coffee from Starbucks, or moves on the game board
Send someone a coffee. Not the actual coffee, but a Starbucks gift card, through Apple Messages. If you have the Starbucks app on your iPhone, you will see an option under the message menu to “+” for Starbucks. You can choose from several card designs and set the value before sending. Sure, you can just send Apple Cash, but that’s a bit more personal.
As you add apps to your iPhone, check the “+” menu to see if you have any new Messages features. For example, TikTok integrates directly with Apple Message, and there are also a number of games you can play using Messages to send actions to the other player’s screen, such as Game Pigeon.
doodle animation
Digital Touch debuted on the Apple Watch, but now you can send doodles and drawings to anyone using Apple Messages. Doodles aren’t just static drawings either; The recipient can see the lines as if they were drawn with your finger, making your doodles surprisingly animated and personal.
You can also record your own video and draw on the screen while recording! There’s a lot of fun to be had with Digital Touch, especially since it works across devices. Using your Apple Watch to send a doodle adds a more personal touch than just telling Siri what to say.