Apple’s iOS 14 has brought many improvements to the Messages app, including Memoji, better group chats, and much more. We take advantage of new features to see the next evolution of Apple’s messaging platform.
Conversation organization
With Messages in iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur, Apple seeks to make things more organized and expressive. We see this with group conversations, more on that in a moment, but there are many other changes as well.
Conversation fixed in iOS 14
Right when you open the application message threads they can now be pinned. Swipe left to right, and tap the marker to pin up to nine conversations at the top of the Messages app.
When messages are pinned, they are easily saved at the top. They also have cute animations when someone sends you a message, either from a group or from a single person. It will even preview the message around your image before touching it.
Memoji fist bump Sticker
We also have three new Memoji stickers in iOS 14. Those additions include hugs, fists, and blushing, joining the massive list of others Apple has continued to add over the years.
Face mask option when designing Memoji
As for Memoji, we have new style options. There are over 16 new headwear items including graduation cap, swimming cap, nurse hat, and bicycle helmet. There are also options for masks that cover the face in various colors, nine age options, and new hairstyles like men’s bun, top knot, and simple side part.
More expressive Memoji characters
The animated Memoji characters you create with Memoji are more expressive. Apple has reallocated facial muscles to better represent your face and to be more expressive.
Gather your friends
Group conversations are popular with any messaging app, including iMessage. But they can easily get confused and flood your phone with surplus notifications. With iOS 14, grouped chats now include mentions and thread responses to help bring peace to your groups.
Mentions in Messages in iOS 14
To mention someone, just type their name and it will be highlighted. Touch the highlighted name and a bubble will appear above with the contact you are trying to mention. Touch that and you’re done. When a conversation is muted, you will still receive alerts when someone mentions you by name.
Chain responses are also easy. You can go back to any message, press and hold, and reply. Your recent reply will be displayed at the bottom of the chat as the most recent, but it will also display the source message in a smaller font on the left with a line connecting them. You can see all of this from the main chat, or touch the original message to see only the threaded responses.
Threaded answers in iOS 14
Groups can now also have images configured for them, as well as the custom name. Choose from an image, an emoji, or any of your Memoji stickers.
And those anchored messages we talked about earlier work better for groups, too. The image will still be in the center with everyone’s bubble around it. Those who are most active in the convo, their images will be larger and even highlighted when they send a message.
Improvements throughout the ecosystem
While we focus here on iOS, Apple didn’t stop with that. Messages have been updated across the entire Apple ecosystem.
Assign images to groups in iOS 14
The Mac was specifically overhauled, getting a new Catalyst-based app that brings messaging effects, Memoji, and all the other features we explored here, like threaded responses, improved group conversations, and pinned threads.
No matter where you are using iMessage, Apple is dedicated to making it the best place to chat with friends. At least if they also have an iPhone.
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