Messages

In a significant shift, Apple has announced it will adopt the RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging standard, yielding to years of pressure from competitors like Google and Samsung. This strategic move, scheduled for a 2024 release with iOS 18 marks a big change for cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android users.

Responding to Google's persistent push for adoption, Apple's decision aims to enhance interoperability, addressing issues like poor image and video quality for Android users in group messages receiving scaled-down media via traditional MMS.

Automatically deleting verification code texts and emails on your iPhone is now possible with iOS 17 or later installed. When logging into apps and websites, one-time passwords (OTP) often arrive via text message or email. However, these codes become useless after their first use and end up cluttering your device. Apple now makes it possible to automatically remove these texts and emails once they have been auto-filled on the verification screen.

Apple has taken quick action to address multiple actively exploited security issues by releasing iOS 16.5.1, along with iPadOS 16.5.1, macOS Ventura 13.4.1, and watchOS 9.5.2. Although these updates seem to be minor point releases, they include critical security patches that should be installed immediately.

The ability to retract sent messages is built into iOS. Before this feature debuted, several known workarounds were discussed to try and prevent an iMessage from being sent. Most of these are not practical after the Send button is tapped. Fortunately for anyone looking to unsend a message, Apple provides an easy way to delete sent messages from the recipient's device.

One of the most useful everyday features on the iPhone is hidden in plain sight. Converting units is already pretty convenient with a search engine, Siri, or a dedicated app. Now thanks to iOS 16, conversions can be made from almost anywhere on the iPhone. Unit conversions are performed directly on inline text within a variety of Apple stock apps.