iOS 17 adds new look and big updates to Messages app — here’s what’s new

Apple has unveiled iOS 17, the iPhone marker’s next major software update to iOS, showing off new upgrades to the Messages app, including an all-new stickers experience with new emoji stickers and the ability to create Live Stickers, Check In, a feature that allows the user to notify family members and friends that they’ve arrived at their destination safely, and more.

Apple has added an expandable menu above the text field in the Messages app that can be accessed with a tap to display iMessage apps for a sleeker look. The new menu will include the Camera, Photos, Stickers, and Audio options, plus iMessage apps, Memoji, Digital Touch, and more.

New with Messages in iOS 17 is Check In, a feature where a user’s friends or family members can be alerted when they reach their destination. If a user stops making progress, it checks in with them, and if they don’t respond, it shares helpful information with their friends, like the location, battery level, and cell service status of the user’s iPhone.

Image: Apple

A new catch-up arrow has been added to indicate where the user last left off in the conversation, and replying inline is as simple as swiping on a text bubble.

Message searching is more powerful with search filters, making it possible for users to start a search and add additional filters to narrow down the results and find exactly what they are seeking.

Image: Apple

Audio messages are now transcribed, so you can read them in the moment and listen later.