9 Messages Tricks That May (or May Not) Blow Your Mind

Reply to Specific Messages in a Thread

You may have used the quote function in WhatsApp that lets you reply directly to any message in the chat. Now with threads, you can also reply directly to a message in the Message app.

It's a simple way to avoid confusion in conversations, especially if there are a bunch of people in a group chat. You can look at it as a mini conversation inside a conversation.

1. To do this, long-press (or double-tap) on the message.
2. Tap Reply.
3. Then type your answer.

Call out a Person with a Mention

The Messages app also supports mentions. Mentioning someone's name in a message is an easy way to draw attention to them. They will even receive a notification if they've silenced that particular chat conversation. It is helpful during busy group conversations but also works in one-on-one chats.

• You can use this by typing the person's name in a message and then tapping the contact name when it appears above your keyboard.
• You can also use "@" and then type the name of the person.

As we mentioned, if someone mentions you, your iPhone will automatically notify you. But here's a pro tip in case you don't want to be bothered. You can turn these notifications off, too. Here's how:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on Messages.
3. Scroll down again and find Mentions.
4. Toggle Notify Me off.

See the Timestamp

In the Messages app, you can't always see the timestamp of specific messages. Sent and received messages are displayed without the time these messages were sent. To view the time of the specific messages, just swipe left and keep your finger on the screen. The times are shown on the right for both sent and received messages.

See Images and Attachments

In addition to text messages, the Messages app also allows you to send photos, videos, and attachments. The "attachments" category is quite broad: from office documents to sound files. You can send almost anything in a message.

In photos, you can find all the images and videos that have been shared, and for all others, there are separate categories such as links, documents, and locations. You can tap on anything and see all the files that a person has sent you.

1. All you need to do is tap on the contact name at the top of the chat and then tap the "i" icon.
2. At the bottom, you'll see a breakdown of types of attachments.

Send Handwritten Notes

It's possible to send handwritten messages on the Message app. Instead of using the keyboard, you can use your fingers to write your own personalized message and make it stand out. The person who gets the message will see the text being written in a small animation as if you're doing it in front of them.

To use this feature, you'll first have to unlock portrait orientation on your iPhone.

To do this, just go to your Control Center, either by swiping down from the top right corner of your screen if you have an iPhone with no Home button; or swiping up from the bottom of your screen if your iPhone has a Home button. Then tap the portrait orientation lock button off. It's a small lock with a circling arrow around it.

After you've done that, follow these steps:

1. Open the Message app.
2. Tap the Compose button on the top right corner to create a new message or open any conversation you've already started.
3. Turn your iPhone sideways.
4. Tap the empty field, then tap the button on the bottom right corner that looks like a scribble. 
5. Start handwriting your message.
6. Tap Done.
7. If you want, you can send a message with your handwritten text. Tap the Send button.

Add Bubble and Screen Effects

You can customize your iMessage chats with special effects to make the conversations even more animated and expressive. It's a cool way for people to notice your messages, instead of the same old boring text.

There are two different possibilities: You can have a bubble effect and screen effects. Bubbles are small animations that don't do much. With screen effects, you can send a message with a spotlight, balloons, and even a little heart.

1. To use these effects, you'll have to write a message and hold the Send message button down for just a moment.
2. Afterward, you'll see a bunch of effects you can choose from. Tap on the top of the screen to switch between Bubble and Screen.
3. Choose your favorite one and send it away. 

Reply with a Tapback

If you don't really want to reply to a message, but you still want to let them know that you got the message or that something was funny, you can do that with a Tapback.

It's a kind of emoji that you can use to respond to and message. You can choose from five different responses: a heart, a thumbs up, a thumbs down, a laugh, two exclamation points, or a question mark.

There are two ways to use Tapbacks:

• First, you can quickly double-tap any message, and the Tapback options will pop up.
• Or, you can long-press any message, and you'll see the Tapback replies along with a few other options.

And if you didn't choose the right Tapback, you can change it.

Find the Emoji You Want Quicker

There's an easy way to change words into emojis if you don't want to search for them!

1. All you need to do is head to any chat or compose a new one and write your message.
2. If you want to know if you can replace any word with an emoji, tap on the Emoji button on your keyboard.
3. If the respective emoji exists, the word will turn orange. Tap on it, and it'll turn into an emoji. 

Easily Share Your Contact Photo

You can set a profile picture in iMessage and share it with your contacts. This image is then synchronized with their contact list. It ensures that there's a recent image with your contact card in the address book of your friends and family or vice versa.

If someone has set up a new photo for their account, the Messages app will notify you, and with a single tap, you change the contact photo in your address book. 

To use this feature, do this:

1. Open Messages.
2. Tap on Edit on the top left corner of your screen.
3. Tap on Edit Name and Photo.
4. Choose whether or not you want to create your Memoji. For this example, we'll skip this step.
5. Tap on Choose Name and Photo.
6. Choose your photo. You can also choose a filter if you want.
7. Choose if you want to use that picture across all Apple platforms that have your Apple ID.
8. Choose your name and who you want to share this information with.
9. Finally, tap on Done.