According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, iOS 18 will bring significant updates to the Tapback feature in the Messages app on iPhones. Originally introduced in iOS 10, Tapback icons include options like heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, “HA HA,” exclamation marks, and question marks that users can add to messages. Gurman reports that these icons will appear more colorful in iOS 18 compared to their current basic designs.
The major enhancement, however, is that Tapback will now support any emoji, offering users a wide range of new reaction options. This change will enable in-line emoji reactions, a feature already available in messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram. Currently, the Messages app only allows emojis to be added as stickers.
It remains unclear if this updated Tapback system will also integrate with the AI-generated emoji feature previously rumored for iOS 18.
Additionally, another highly requested feature coming to the Messages app in iOS 18 is the ability to schedule messages for later sending.
Apple is set to unveil iOS 18 and other major software updates during its WWDC keynote, which will be livestreamed on June 10 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. These new Messages features are expected to extend to the iPad and Mac platforms.
