Messages on iOS 11 received small, but notable updates

With iOS 10, Apple spent a lot of time adding new features to the Messages app, from an iMessage App Store to drawing tools to screen and message effects.

With iOS 11, Apple refined the Messages app, adding fewer features and making those that already existed easier to use.

Here’s what’s different:

New app picker

In iOS 10, iMessage Apps were hidden and too much work to get to. With iOS 11, each time you open a conversation the bottom of the screen will display an app dock.

Scroll to the left to view more apps, or long-press on the row of icons to enlarge the dock. Tap an app’s icon to open it, or tap the “…” icon to view a list of installed apps.

This picker is super quick and easy to use. Good job, Apple.

Two new screen effects

Echo and Spotlight are new in iOS 11. Echo is the perfect way to annoy a friend, while Spotlight is sure to draw attention to a message or photo.

An easier way to mute conversations

Part of a group chat that just won’t shut up? Or have a friend who sends you countless memes and gifs while you’re at work? You can now easily mute a conversation, or as iOS 11 calls it, hide alerts.

When in the Messages app, swipe left across a conversation and tap Hide Alerts.

A half-moon icon will appear next to the conversation when it’s muted.

Now, about features that aren’t out yet: Move aside, Square Cash. Apple is making it far too easy for iMessage users to send or request money from one another. The new iMessage App is tied to Apple Pay and appears to be as simple as sending a sticker in an iMessage conversation.

Apple Pay in Messages isn’t quite ready at the time of iOS 11’s release, with Apple stating it will launch this fall in another update. We will cover it in more detail once we can use it.

Messages sync

Apple had originally announced that the ability to sync Messages across all of your Apple devices would launch as part of iOS 11. It’s one of those features where shouts of “Finally!” are warranted. However, during the beta process, Apple removed Messages sync, leaving instead a note stating the feature would make its way into iOS via a future update. 

While it’s frustrating that true message sync isn’t quite ready, rest assured Apple is working on it and we assume will have it out as soon as possible.