iOS 17 is now available and can be installed on iPhones released in the last five years. As customary, Apple has introduced various enhancements and new features to both its iOS apps and the mobile operating system itself.
In this overview, we will highlight some of the new capabilities in Messages made possible by iOS 17, as well as improvements to existing features. These additions are likely to enhance your messaging experience.
(Note that one notable absence is RCS messaging, which is unlikely to be integrated in the near future. Consequently, your friends and family using Android devices will still appear as green bubbles in your Messages app and won’t have access to many of the new iOS 17 features.)
One of the standout features in Messages for iOS 17 is the Check In feature. As well as it allows you to share your estimated time of arrival with a trusted contact and can send an alert if you don’t reach your destination as expected. Here’s how to use it:
1. Open a conversation in Messages.
2. Tap the “+” (plus) button located next to the text input box.
3. Select “Check In” from the list of options.
4. Tap “Edit” to customize the Check In:
– Choose between “When I arrive” or “After a timer.”
– If you select “When I arrive,” specify a destination, mode of transport, and estimated travel time. The app will check in with you if you don’t reach your destination within the expected time.
– If you choose “After a timer,” set the timer duration, and the check-in will occur when the set time elapses.
The check-in itself is a simple prompt to ensure your well-being. If you don’t respond to it within 15 minutes, the contact you’re chatting with will receive a message alerting them that something might be wrong. This message will also be sent if your phone remains offline for an extended period.
Your trusted contact will receive additional information along with the alert, including your last known location, and details about your phone’s battery and cell signal strength (including Apple Watch information, if you have one). You have the option to customize the amount of information shared when setting up the Check In.
If you opt for the “When I arrive” Check In and you reach your selected destination within the specified time, there won’t be a prompt at your end. Instead, the person you’re communicating with will receive a notification confirming that you’ve arrived safely.
In iOS 17, the mini-apps within Messages, such as Music and Photos, have been relocated behind a “+ (plus)” button situated to the left of the text input box. Here’s how to access and customize these mini-apps:
1. Tap the “+ (plus)” button next to the text input box in your Messages conversation.
2. You will see a selection of apps that you use frequently. Tap “More” to view additional apps that are available.
3. To rearrange the order of these apps for easier access, tap and hold on one of the apps.
4. Drag the app to a new position in the list according to your preference.
This feature is handy if you want to have specific apps readily accessible within the Messages conversation for quick sharing and interaction.
In iOS 17, location sharing has enhanced, allowing you to share your current location in real-time directly within the Messages app, eliminating the need to switch to Apple Maps or the Find My app. Here’s how to use this feature:
1. Open a conversation in the Messages app.
2. Tap the “+ (plus)” button located to the left of the text input box.
3. Select “Location” from the list of options.
4. By default, you’ll be sharing your location in real-time. Tap “Share,” and then choose one of the following duration options: “Indefinitely,” “Until End of Day,” or “For One Hour” to specify how long you want to share your location.
5. Alternatively, you can tap the pin icon on the left and then select “Send Pin” to share your current location at that moment without continuous updates.
Whichever location sharing option you choose. As well as it will be embedded inside a message within the conversation. If you tap on the other person’s name at the top of the conversation, you’ll find options to request their location and to stop sharing your own location. So this makes it easier than ever to share and manage your location within the Messages app.