4 iMessage Tricks You Should Use Right Now

You've probably been using iMessage since you got your iPhone. Like most people, you probably just send a message (or read one) and move on. But chances are you're missing out on a bunch of hidden features.

4. Schedule messages to be sent using the "Send Later" feature

Many people forget to text people. For example, wishing someone a happy birthday right when the clock strikes 12 is something many people always intend to do but forget. Sometimes they fall asleep while waiting; other times, they simply lose track of time.

Send Later lets you do exactly what the feature's name implies — schedule a text message to be sent at a specific date and time, regardless of whether you're awake, busy, or have completely forgotten about it. To do this, all you need to do is go to the Messages app on your device, tap the plus sign ( + ) next to the message field, and select Send Later . Now, tap on the message you want to schedule.

Then, tap on the time that appears (in this example, 9:00 AM tomorrow). The scheduler will automatically appear and all you need to do is select the time and day you want to schedule the message. You can schedule messages up to 14 days in advance, which gives you a lot of flexibility for birthday messages, reminders, or any other time-sensitive messages.

Finally, tap the send icon to schedule your message. Until it's time to send, the message will appear with a dashed border, indicating that it's scheduled. Your scheduled message will be sent to your recipients even if all devices are offline.

3. Bubble and Screen Effects

iMessage lets you add fun animated effects, changing the way your messages appear when sent.

When you're ready to send a message, all you need to do is press and hold the Send icon, and the Send with effect screen will automatically appear. You can then choose to apply a Bubble or Screen effect .

To preview the bubble effect, you can tap the gray dot next to the effect name. The screen effect preview is a bit more interactive, and you can swipe left to cycle through each option before selecting your favorite effect.

Once you have selected the effect you want to send, simply click the Send button .

2. Check In

To send a Check In, open iMessage and select the conversation with the person you want to notify. Tap the plus ( + ) icon, select Check In , and then follow the on-screen instructions. You can choose one of two options: Destination and Timer .

The first option lets you choose your destination and method of travel (drive, walk, or take public transport). The app will then track your journey and alert your contact if your trip is delayed or doesn’t complete as expected. Once you reach your destination, the Check-in feature will complete and notify your contact that you’ve arrived.

On the other hand, the Timer option allows you to specify a time period. If you don't finish Check-in before the time is up, the app will alert your contact and share your location, route, and battery level.

1. Voice Message Transcriptions

Some people don’t like typing. No matter how simple the question, they always reply with a 45-second voice message instead of just sending a quick text. And while you may not always mind it, it’s not always possible to listen to voice messages right away. For example, there are times when friends or family respond to important messages via voice message while in a business meeting or a university lecture.

That's where iMessage's Voice Message Transcriptions feature really shines. It automatically transcribes the voice messages you receive, allowing you to quickly read them without having to play the entire recording.