iOS 16 is jam-packed with new features for native apps, and the Messages app is no exception. And we all have wanted some of those changes for a long time. For example, you can now edit and unsend texts. But this is simply the beginning. The app also got spam reporting settings, additional Memoji, amazing Siri tricks, and more. Let’s now look at the roundup of how to use the Messages app on your iPhone running iOS 16. 

1. Edit and undo a sent message on iPhone
I guess this feature was the most requested one. So, Apple has finally added it. Now you may now modify iMessages after they have been sent. Therefore, you may swiftly correct spelling errors, auto-correct errors, and other erroneous text without any embarrassment. But there are some rules for using it. 

You can only edit the text within 15 minutes after the text is delivered.
You can edit a sent iMessage a maximum of 5 times. 
Whenever you edit a text, an “Edited” label appears underneath it. You or the recipient can see the history of modifications by tapping it. 
When receiving a modified iMessage, people with old iOS or Android will get another message that states, “Edited to [text].”

Undo an iMessage
Another important upgrade is to permanently remove a text from your chat. But similar to editing texts, it also has some limitations. 

The feature only works for two minutes after the text is sent. 
An indication that reads “you unsent a message” will appear where the message is. It will state, “[Your Name] unsent a message,” on the recipient’s inbox. 
The iMessage you intended to delete will still be visible to recipients using outdated iOS.

To use these exciting features, go through our guide on how to edit and undo a message in iOS 16.

2. Mark texts as unread
On busy days, I forget to reply after opening a text. So, this new Messages feature is a savior! It will ensure that you remember to reply to messages when you have time.

If you mark any iMessage, SMS, or MMS as unread, it will show after the Unread Messages folder, and the recipient will not know it. Also, the messages will still be highlighted after you first read them. 

Find the chat you want to mark as unread and swipe right on it. 
Alternatively, you may long-press a chat and tap Mark as Unread.

Another way to do it is to tap the three-dot icon → choose Select Messages → pick the conversations → tap Unread.

You’ll also notice a new Unread Messages folder when you press Filter to select between known and unknown senders if you have enabled Filter Unknown Senders.

3. Recover deleted messages
We all are habituated to the Recently Deleted feature on Notes, Photos, and Mail. Now it’s time for the Messages app. As usual, after 30 days, deleted messages will be automatically removed from Apple’s servers. Therefore, if you mistakenly delete a message or suddenly need a deleted text, you may retrieve it. Here’s how:

Launch Messages app → Scroll down to Recently Deleted.
Select the messages by tapping on them. The chosen messages will have a blue check mark next to them.
At the bottom, select Recover. To confirm, tap Recover (x) Messages once again.
Here, x denotes the total number of messages.

You may also delete or recover all messages in bulk by choosing Delete All and Recover All. 

4. Use SharePlay inside Messages
Apple SharePlay enables FaceTime sharing of synced experiences in other apps to watch a movie, listen to music, or play a game. Now you can start a SharePlay session while chatting in the Messages app. Excited to know how to use SharePlay via the Messages App? Follow the steps below.

Launch a SharePlay-compatible app, such as Apple TV, Spotify, etc. Then, select the content you wish to enjoy together.
Tap Share or More and select SharePlay.

Choose the person you wish to share with by entering their name.
After that, you need to choose between FaceTime and Messages. Now, tap Messages.
To send the invite link to the contact, select Send. When they join, you’ll each see a Start button in the floating SharePlay controls, and the session will start for everyone.

Note: All participants must have the app, regardless of whether they have a paid subscription or a free trial.

5. Collaboration in Messages
The iOS 16 has worked on collaboration features to an extent. Now you may collaborate on projects with others directly within Messages. So, send an invitation to an individual or group to work with you from the share sheet as iMessages. Once they accept the invitation, they will have instant access to the project and may begin working on it.

Also, any modifications to the document will be notified to you, and you can see all the edit history at the top of the discussion. Besides, you may initiate a group FaceTime call or go back to Messages from the project. This facility is supported on Apple Keynote, Notes, Reminders, Safari, Freeform, and third-party apps by using Messages Collaboration API.

6. Junk message reporting and marking SMS/MMS as Spam
Apple already had a built-in “Report Junk” option to block spam calls on iPhone. Now they have added this feature to the Messages app to report spam messages on certain carriers in the United States.

Before iOS 16, you could report iMessages from unknown senders to Apple. But you had to report SMS and MMS messages to your carrier. 

Now, the Report Junk option flags the message as spam for SMS and MMS messages, forwards it to Apple and a supported carrier, and then finally deletes it. If you don’t see the functionality, it’s because not all carriers support it.

To report junk:

Open the message and tap Report Junk below the text.
Select Delete and Report Junk to confirm.

7. Give your messages a bold heading
A little-known topic field in Messages is the equivalent of a message title. If it’s turned on, it shows as a distinct line in bold above your primary message content.

Go to Settings and choose Messages. 
Then toggle on Show Subject Field under SMS/MMS.
Now return to Messages, and there will be Subject and iMessage boxes when you create a new message. Whatever you write in the Subject box will be in bold. 

8. Hide read receipts
Read receipts are a common feature in chatting apps. It helps to know whether someone has read your messages or not. Apple has now allowed you to enable or disable read receipts for everyone. 

You may also toggle them on or off for certain contacts. But remember one thing, you can’t tell whether someone has seen your text if you turn off read receipts for them.

Refer to our guide to know how to hide read receipts on iMessages. 

9. Tapbacks for Android messages
The text bubble color will be green whenever you receive a text from an Android device. However, iOS 16 has enhanced this cross-platform texting. Now you can use emoji replies, known as Tapbacks, for Android messages.

The procedure to use emoji Tapbacks on iPhone is the same as iMessages i.e. when responding to messages received from an iPhone. Your reaction will show up for recipients if they use the stock Messages software on their Android devices. 

You may also enjoy reading how to use tapback in iMessages on Mac.

10. Turn on Hide Alerts
This feature is ideal if you are bombarded with text messages or feel distracted every time notification appears. You can hide alerts for certain conversions. All other messages will still reach you and appear as notifications on your lock screen.

Know how to hide alerts in Messages app on iPhone to get rid of them.

11. Find attachments from a conversation
Someone has sent you important photos or other attachments over iMessage. So, now, how can you save them on your device? Do the following steps:

Open the chat where your desired files are.
At the top of the message, tap the contact’s name. 
You will find all images and links there. Long-press on an attachment to Save, Copy, Share, and Delete.

12. Use Spotlight to find images in Messages 
Spotlight search enables you to search for photos in your Photos app by location, people, sceneries, animals, automobiles, and other objects. You might even enter a contact’s name to see pictures from your chat in Messages. Now, you will get to search for text inside images. 

Therefore, without inputting a contact’s name, if you search for “images cat,” results from Messages should appear alongside Photos and site image suggestions. All of this is possible for the Live Text feature of iOS 16.

13. Mention suggestions
When you enter @ to mention someone in the group chat or type anyone’s name, you will now see the person’s name and profile symbol in the keyboard recommendations. So it’s easier to recognize who you want to mention.

14. More Memoji styling options and expressions
I like using Memoji, so I am happy to see the customization options for Memoji on iOS 16. You will see three updated haircuts, 14 new hairstyles, nine new nose designs, a bonnet hat option, and three new neutral lip colors. Besides, six additional expressions are available for your unique Memoji. 

You need to go to the Frequently Used to the left of the emoji. Additionally, you can get to them from the Memoji Stickers icon in the app drawer. If you have not enabled it on your keyboard, turn it on first. Learn how to use memoji on iPhone and iPad Pro (Ultimate Guide). 

15. More poses for contact pictures
Before iOS 16, you only had 12 options while using Memoji and Animoji as contact pictures. You may now use any Memoji or Animoji for your profile or other contacts. Also, there are three new sticker poses for contact photos and profile pictures. To change others’ contact photos, go to Settings, open the Messages menu and turn on Share Name and Photo. After that:

Open the chat and tap the contact name at the top.
Select info → tap Edit. 
Next, hit the profile picture and choose a Memoji.
You may create a new one.

16. New Audio Messages option
Previously, you could use the audio button in the chat text box to send voice messages. On iOS 16, it’s replaced with a dictation feature, and there’s a dedicated option for audio messages. From the Messages app drawer, tap on the Audio Messages icon. 

It will show a microphone button with instructions to tap or hold to record. Holding the mic will send the voice note immediately when you release it. If you never send audio messages, it is advisable to remove the tool from the app drawer or your favorite apps area.

17. Dictate your message
As I mentioned earlier, now you can directly dictate messages. iOS 16 has enhanced emoji support, automated punctuation, and other useful features. You will see a new microphone button in the text input field box. Just tap on it, tell your message and send it. Besides, you may stop dictation by tapping the microphone button with an X. 

Also, the microphone button on the keyboard can halt dictation. If you are not talking, for the time being, dictation times out. Additionally, while dictation is going on, you may type text and edit it. 

18. Convert measurements from Messages
Apple has added a built-in measurement converter in the Messages app.

If you send any message with a unit, it will be underlined.
You just tap or long-press on it. It will display a pop-up menu with measurement converter options, including temperature, money, weight, volume, area, angles, and time zones.

19. Use Siri to automatically send messages
Till now, you needed to manually confirm while sending messages via Siri. But now, you may skip the confirmation step. Just dictate your message to Siri and have Siri send the message immediately within five seconds. Besides, Siri will ask you if you want to cancel or send another message. You will see a countdown on the Send button. To enable:

Launch Settings and select Siri & Search.
From the next page, tap Automatically Send Messages and toggle on the same. 

Note: Siri will not automatically send messages when your iPhone is connected to headphones or CarPlay. So, you need to approve before sending. Also, Type to Siri won’t send messages independently.

20. Insert emojis via Siri
You can use Siri on iOS 16 more efficiently. Now, Siri will understand and insert emojis in your message if you say the emoji’s name, such as “smiley face emoji” or “heart emoji,” etc. The best part is you don’t have to say the emoji name in English. It supports other languages like Cantonese (Hong Kong), French (France), German (Germany), Japanese (Japan), Mandarin Chinese (China mainland, Taiwan), and Spanish (Mexico, Spain, U.S.).

21. Focus filter on iMessages
Except for “Driving,” every focus on iOS 16 may be customized to block out distracting apps. So, you may also set a focus filter for Messages to include or exclude chats from certain people. When you have turned on your Focus filter, the Messages app will only show the chosen chats. To view all chats, tap Turn Off. 

Curious to learn about different focus modes and how to set them? Read our detailed guide on how to use Focus Mode on iPhone (complete guide)

22. Share your digital keys
With iOS 16, you may safely share a key for a vehicle, house, or place of business using Messages. Currently, Messages has Wallet support, so digital keys are accessible. Therefore, you don’t need to search for other secure third-party apps to do the same.

23. Search for Emojis on iPhone Keyboard
A new search field in the emoji keyboard makes it easy to find the perfect expressions. To use this feature, tap the emoji icon on the keyboard, and you’ll see a new Search Emoji field at the top of the keyboard.

Tap in this field and type in what you want to express, such as “grin,” “heart,” “angry,” etc.  You will see all the relevant emojis, and you can just tap the one you want to insert.

24. Start a Group Chat
The group chat interface has been upgraded in iOS 16. Now, at the top of the conversation, you will be able to see all the members of the group, with the most recently active ones showing up as larger icons.

To start a new conversation, tap the pen icon at the top right of the Messages screen. Now, type in the names of the people you want to start a group chat with. Then write your message in the text field and hit send.

25. Change group picture or set emoji in Messages app
Here’s how you can set a custom image for a group chat.

Open a group conversation.
Tap on the group icon at the top → tap the small info icon.
Select Change Name and Photo.

Now, you can set a photo, Memoji, or emoji as the group icon.
Tap done.

26. Start and view a thread in group chat
The Messages app allows you to reply directly to a specific message as an inline reply. To do this, hold down on a particular message within the group chat and tap Reply. Type in your reply and send it.

It will appear as a thread rather than another message within the conversation. This makes it easy to keep things organized.

To view a particular message thread, just tap on it to expand.

27. Tag people in group chat in iPhone Messages
You can now mention specific people within a group conversation. Just type their name in the message input field, and a suggestion will pop up. Tap it to mention them, finish writing your message, and send it.

Further, you can also choose to be notified of group messages only when you’re mentioned rather than for every single message, which can be quite distracting.

Summing Up!

So, are you excited to use Messages on iPhone in iOS 16? Which feature do you like the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

You may like to read:

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