iOS 18 Rumored to Add These 6 New Features to iPhone's Messages App
When is iOS 18 expected to be unveiled, and what is the schedule for its beta releases and general availability?
iOS 18 is expected to be unveiled during the WWDC keynote on June 10. The first beta should be made available to members of the Apple Developer Program immediately after the presentation. The first public beta of iOS 18 will likely follow in July, and the update should be widely released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September.
What new features are rumored to be included in the Messages app with the iOS 18 update?
The rumored new features for the Messages app with the iOS 18 update include:
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RCS Support: This will improve the messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices with features like higher-resolution photos and videos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, Wi-Fi messaging, and improved group chats2.
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Per-Word Effects: This feature will allow users to animate individual words within a message, in addition to the existing entire-bubble or full-screen effects.
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Suggested Replies: AI-generated suggested replies will be added to the Messages app, analyzing recent messages in a conversation and providing a few suggested replies that users can tap on to send.
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Custom Emoji: Users will have the option to send custom emoji that are automatically generated based on the context of recent messages.
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Message Recaps: AI-generated recaps of information from several apps, including recent messages received in the Messages app, will be provided.
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New Tapback Icons: Tapback icons may be redesigned on iOS 18.
How will the inclusion of RCS support in iOS 18 improve messaging between iPhone and Android devices?
The inclusion of RCS support in iOS 18 will significantly improve messaging between iPhone and Android devices by providing feature parity that has been missing between iMessage and SMS/MMS. With RCS support, users can expect the following enhancements when communicating with Android users:
- Higher-resolution photos and videos: RCS allows for the sharing of higher quality media compared to the current SMS/MMS standard2.
- Audio messages: Users will be able to send audio messages, a feature currently exclusive to iMessage.
- Typing indicators: RCS will display typing indicators, allowing users to see when the recipient is typing a response4.
- Read receipts: Similar to iMessage, RCS will support read receipts, letting senders know when their message has been read4.
- Wi-Fi messaging: RCS messages can be sent over Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a cellular connection.
- Improved group chats: Group messaging will be more seamless, with features like the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users2.
These improvements will make cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android devices a more unified and enhanced experience, bridging the gap between iOS and Android messaging.