7 New Tricks iOS 13 Adds to Apple Messages
Apple’s iOS 13 and iPadOS offer new and improved features for the default messaging app, including name and photo sharing and beefier search options.
The Messages app has long been a mainstay on the iPhone and iPad as the default way Apple would like you to send and receive text messages. Though Apple has continually improved the app with each update of iOS and now iPadOS, at its core, Messages provides a clean and simple way to exchange texts with other people.
The update to iOS 13 added several new features that enhance the app in subtle but useful ways. You can now set up how to share your name and photo with fellow texters. You can more easily search for texts, contacts, photos, links, and other information. And Apple offers more ways to customize your memoji, which can then be turned into custom stickers for use in Messenger.
Upgrade to iOS 13.2 or higher, and Siri can announce new messages with certain earbuds and headphones. You can also take advantage of the new swipe QuickPath keyboard to type more quickly.
Share Your Name and Photo
Go to Settings > Messages to set up your shareable name and photo. Tap the entry for Share Name and Photo, then tap Choose Name and Photo. You can select a photo to use or tap the ellipsis icon to select an image from your library.
You can even select a memoji that you’ve created, in which case you’re asked to strike a facial pose and press the shutter button to capture it. You can also add a color or filter to your image of choice.
Where do you want to use this image? You’re asked if you want the selected image to be used with your Apple ID and contact card. Then set your name and determine your information’s share settings. In the Share Automatically section, choose whether you want to automatically share this image with contacts only or have the app always ask whether or not to share it.
How your name and photo are shared with people is determined by the sharing option you chose. If you selected Name and Photo Sharing to Contacts Only, your new image is automatically shared with anyone you text. If you set the option to Always Ask, a notice will appear at the top of the screen while inside a message asking if you wish to share.
Run a Search
From the main Messages screen, swipe down to reveal the search field at the top and tap the box. The app displays several suggested items, including contacts, links, photos, locations, and attachments. Type a term in the search field and the results will show any relevant people, conversations, links, attachments, and more.
Get More Info
You can also find certain information and items through the Info icon at the top of a conversation. Open a conversation, tap the person’s name at the top, then tap the Info icon. From there, swipe down the screen to see photos, links, and other items associated with that person. Tap See All Photos and See All Links to see all the associated content.
Create New Memoji
On supported iPhones and iPads, you can add more flourish to your memoji with additional options for teeth, headwear, eyeglasses, and other parts and accoutrements. In a conversation, tap the Apple icon to display the icon toolbar. Tap the icon for Animoji. Swipe to the left of the Animoji screen until you see the button for New Memoji. Tap that button to create a new memoji and add any of the new features.
Use Memoji as Custom Stickers
You can add customized stickers of all the available animoji and memoji that you create. To do this within a conversation, tap the Apple icon and then tap the Stickers icon. Swipe along the row of small icons to see the memoji you’ve designed and the animoji that come with iOS and iPadOS. Tap the animoji or memoji that you want to insert into your message and then send your text.
Tell Siri to Announce Messages
Siri can announce incoming text messages to you through AirPods (second generation), AirPods Pro, and certain supported Beats headphones. Turn this feature on by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Announce Messages and tap the entry for Messages. You can then select whether you want messages announced from favorite contacts, recent messages, all contacts, or everyone. The next time a new message comes in, Siri should announce it for you.
Use the QuickPath Keyboard
Tapping out each character on the keyboard when you’re trying to text can be slow and frustrating. The new QuickPath keyboard introduced in iOS 13 and iPadOS aims to speed up your typing. Instead of tapping each key, you simply drag your finger from one character to the next to form your words. Stop when you get to the end of a word, then start the next word. Tap the spacebar twice to insert a period and start a new sentence. You should find texting much easier and faster with this update.
Originally published at https://www.pcmag.com on January 8, 2020.
