With the arrival of iOS 17, Apple has introduced a series of significant changes to its Messages app, providing us with a more streamlined design, new security features, and enhanced integration of stickers and Memojis.
Starting with the interface, which has undergone a significant redesign aimed at reducing visual clutter, Messages has evolved substantially. Now, a “+” button in the composition window consolidates all Messages tools and apps into a vertical dropdown list, unlike the horizontal layout of the previous version. This new design is not only more aesthetically pleasing—though quite distinct from the usual design language of the rest of the system—but also makes it easier to identify each function with larger icons and textual descriptions.
The Sticker and Memoji revolution is here
In iOS 17, all emojis are now considered stickers. This means that we can drag and place them anywhere within a message, and they can even overlap. Furthermore, Apple has introduced the ability to create custom stickers, allowing us to select any photo, crop the subject, and add various effects to turn it into a digital sticker. Undoubtedly, this feature will make conversations much more enjoyable and personalized.
Memojis, those customizable avatars introduced by Apple a few years ago, also receive updates in iOS 17. Now, new expressions such as the halo, the wink gesture, and the “peekaboo” gesture have been added, further expanding the possibilities for customization.
Furthermore, now all stickers are saved in their own section within the Messages app. This makes it easier than ever to locate the ones we use most frequently and to store the ones we have created, allowing us to build our own library of stickers.
Check In: to let the others know where we are
Perhaps one of the most prominent features of iOS 17 is “Check In.” This function allows us to notify a friend or family member about a trip or journey we are about to undertake. By sharing this information, the other person will receive notifications about the progress of the trip, and if any mishap occurs or the user doesn’t reach their destination within the estimated time, the app will automatically send relevant data, such as location, battery level, and network status, to the selected contact.
It is a feature designed with the safety and peace of mind of both the user and their loved ones in mind. Knowing that someone has arrived at school, work, or home, or informing another person about the estimated time of arrival at a restaurant where you plan to meet, are just a few examples of the utility of this system.
Transcripts, 2FA codes, search enhancements and more
Now, if we receive an audio message and are unable to listen to it at that moment, we have more options. iOS 17 automatically transcribes the audio so that we can read it. This is a very useful feature in situations where playing a message out loud is not possible.
It’s common to receive verification codes via messages. To prevent these from cluttering the Messages app or needing to delete them regularly, iOS 17 offers the option to automatically delete these messages once the code has been used.
If we haven’t accessed a conversation for several hours and there are multiple messages, the new “Catch-Up” feature will show us an indicator to jump directly to the first unread message. Additionally, a “swipe to reply” function has been implemented, streamlining direct responses to specific messages. The search tool has also been improved, allowing for the combination of multiple filters to more easily find what we are looking for.
With the new update, it’s now possible to share our location or request a friend’s location directly from the Messages app, without the need to open the Maps app.
iOS 17 has clearly revolutionized the user experience in the Messages app, providing a cleaner design and functionalities that aim to enhance communication and security. These innovations undoubtedly reaffirm Apple’s commitment to offering useful and updated tools with each version of the operating system.
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