What The Tech: iMessaging tricks you may not have known about
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Tech Reporter
Your iPhone’s Messages app is probably one of the most-used apps on your phone. Most people open it dozens of times every day to send quick texts, photos, emojis, or links.
But hidden behind the little plus button inside iMessage are several features many iPhone users have never noticed. Some are useful. Some are fun. And a few can actually help keep someone safe. Here are some of the best hidden iMessage tricks already built into the iPhone.
Check In Automatically Lets Someone Know You Made It Home
One of the most useful hidden features in Messages is called “Check In.”
Instead of texting someone to say “I made it home,” your iPhone can do it automatically.
To use it:
● Open a conversation in Messages
● Tap the plus button
● Tap “More”
● Choose “Check In”
You can choose when you expect to arrive. Once you get there, your iPhone automatically notifies the other person.
If something goes wrong and you don’t arrive, the feature can share limited information like your location, route, battery level, and cell signal to help someone check on you. It’s designed as a safety feature for late night drives, walks, dates, or kids heading somewhere with friends.
Handwritten Messages Add a Personal Touch
Most people never discover this one because it only appears when the iPhone is turned sideways. Open Messages, rotate the phone into landscape mode, and tap the handwriting icon on the keyboard. Now you can write a note with your finger directly on the screen.
It’s surprisingly good for:
● Birthday messages
● Thank you notes
● Holiday greetings
● Quick doodles for kids or grandkids
The handwritten message arrives as an animated note instead of plain text.
Digital Touch Turns Texting Into a Tiny Art Studio
Apple also hid a feature called “Digital Touch” inside Messages.
Open a conversation:
● Tap the plus button
● Choose “Digital Touch”
From there, you can:
● Draw sketches
● Send taps
● Send animated kisses
● Send heartbeat animations
● Create a “broken heart” animation
You can also record short video clips while drawing on the screen at the same time. It’s one of the most “Apple” features ever made. Most people will never use it every day, but once you see it, you realize it’s been sitting there for years unnoticed.
Send Photos Without Opening the Photos App
A lot of iPhone users still leave Messages, open the Camera app or Photos app, choose a picture, then come back to texting.
You don’t need to.
Inside Messages:
● Tap the plus button
● Choose Camera to snap a photo instantly
● Or choose Photos to access your recent pictures
You can take, edit, and send photos without ever leaving the conversation.
Add Effects to Messages
You can also add effects to messages and photos.
Press and hold the blue send arrow instead of tapping it quickly.
That opens message effects including:
● Balloons
● Confetti
● Lasers
● Fireworks
● Invisible Ink
Some effects fill the entire screen while others hide the message until the person swipes across it.
You Can Even Schedule Text Messages Now
Apple also added scheduled texting to iPhone.
You can now write a message ahead of time and have it automatically send later.
Great for:
● Birthday messages
● Reminders
● Early morning texts you don’t want to forget
● Messages you don’t want to send at 2 a.m.
To schedule a message:
● Open Messages
● Tap the plus button
● Choose “Send Later”
The Plus Button Is Basically a Hidden Menu
The common theme here is simple: tap the plus button in Messages.
That tiny button hides a lot of features most iPhone owners never explore.
And considering how much time people spend texting every day, it’s worth taking a few minutes to see what your iPhone can actually do.
