The Best New iMessage Apps You Need Right Now

Apple opened up it’s new mobile operating system just a few days ago. It’s great. While there definitely were some issues for people trying to update…

… at least no ones phone exploded.

If you’re part of the 85% of people that haven’t updated (as on 9/15/16) to the latest iOS software yet, or if you just haven’t fully explored the new App Store, here’s a few of my favorite new apps that may convince you to do so:

1.) OpenTable — The perfect use case for an iMessage app. You may be asking, what makes an iMessage app unique? or Why is OpenTable for iMessage better than the regular OpenTable app? The simple answer is (successful) apps on iMessage remove social friction.

This iMessage app solves the problem that any group of friends has surely faced; “Where Should We Eat?” Just open up the app, it already knows your neighborhood (or pick one) & the day & time when you want to eat. You can then send your friends a list of restaurants to vote on in a group text, and even make the reservation right from the iMessage app. Booked!

2.) Polaroid Swing — Polaroid missed the revolution to digital & then mobile, but Twitter founder Biz Stone is behind this app, hoping the Polaroid name still has some clout when people think photos in mobile messaging. Swing photos are interactive photos that move with the motion of your phone. They have a clever iMessage app to make creating and sharing easy. I like the idea here of this being a new platform within a platform, and it’s a slick UI.

3.) Confide — Self destructing, encrypted texts & photos right in iMessage. This app takes a stab at Snapchat’s functionality. You don’t even need an account. Go have some fun with this one.

4.) GoMoji — Animate yourself(ie). This is a lightweight & fun mashup of to me what feels like Bitmoji meets South Park. From the team at JibJab.

5.) Venmo & Circle —Social payment apps solved the problems of asking your friends for money. By adding a news feed, and connecting it a social network, it no longer became “awkward” to ask friends for money owed. Venmo will continue to be a popular payment staple inside of iMessage. I also believe in Circle, particularly amongst international iPhone users. As far as I know, Circle is the only iMessage app that can handle Bitcoin, Pounds, & Euro transactions.

6.) Puzzly — This one is just fun. Create a puzzle from one of your photos with just a click. Send through iMessage. Stump your friends for hours.

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At Snaps, we’ve been thinking a lot about iMessage apps, & have worked on quite a few with our brand partners already. In fact, ten apps launched using the Snaps platform were featured by Apple when they opened up the iMessage store. Some of my recent favorite Snap’s collabs include:

KevMoji — Kevin Hart’s absolutely, hilarious, animated iMessage stickers. This app went to #1 paid app right away. I think animated stickers will become increasingly more popular in the west over the next year.

CoachMoji — A first-of-its-kind, interactive, collaborative iMessage app from luxury brand, Coach.

IncMoji — Stickers from 95 year old fashion icon, Iris Apfel.

I’m anxious to get my new iPhone 7 and while the main stories following the #AppleEvent have mostly been around AirPods (there is some great coverage here) & new camera, all I can think about is the software. The iMessage App Store is already filling up with so many innovative new apps in just week one. It’s an exciting time to build for this emerging platform.