iOS 17 Messages App Features
Apple introduced several major updates to the Messages app in iOS 17, including a cleaner interface, enhanced sticker tools, and new safety-focused features designed to help users stay connected and feel more secure while traveling alone.
Redesigned Interface
The Messages app now features a simplified and less cluttered layout. A new “+” button beside the text field gives users quick access to apps and tools such as Camera, Photos, Stickers, Apple Cash, Audio, Location, and other installed Messages apps.
Instead of separate icons spread across the keyboard area like in iOS 16, all options are now organized in a clean vertical menu with larger icons and labels, making navigation easier and more intuitive.
Check In Safety Feature
Apple added a new safety feature called Check In, which allows users to share their travel progress with trusted contacts.
Users can select a conversation, tap the “+” button, and choose Check In to share their destination and estimated arrival time. The recipient will automatically be notified when the user arrives safely.
If progress stops unexpectedly, Messages will prompt the user to respond. If there is no reply, selected details such as location, battery level, and cellular status can be shared automatically with the trusted contact.
Users can choose between:
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Limited Sharing — shares location, battery level, and network status.
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Full Sharing — also includes travel route, last iPhone unlock location, and Apple Watch removal location.
Improved Stickers and Emoji
In iOS 17, Apple transformed emoji into interactive stickers. Users can now drag emoji anywhere in a conversation, layer them together, and place them directly on messages to create fun visual reactions.
The Stickers section now combines:
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Emoji
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Memoji
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App stickers
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Custom-created stickers
Create Custom Stickers
Users can create personalized stickers from photos using the “Remove Subject From Background” feature introduced in iOS 16.
Simply long-press a subject in a photo and choose “Add Sticker.” Live Photos can even become animated stickers.
Apple also added visual effects such as:
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White outlines
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Comic shading
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Puffy 3D styles
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Holographic finishes
These effects give stickers a polished and animated appearance.
Sticker Reactions
Emoji and stickers can now be used as message reactions by dragging them directly onto messages instead of using traditional Tapbacks.
Apple also plans to integrate stickers into the Tapback menu in a future update.
Stickers Across Apps
Stickers are no longer limited to Messages. They can now be used anywhere emoji are supported, including:
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Third-party apps
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Emails
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Photos
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Notes
New Memoji Stickers
Apple introduced additional Memoji sticker expressions, including:
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Halo
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Smirk
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Peekaboo
Catch-Up Feature
For busy conversations, Messages now includes a catch-up arrow that jumps directly to the first unread message in a chat.
This feature is expected to arrive in a later iOS 17 update rather than the initial release.
Swipe to Reply
Replying to specific messages is now faster. Users can simply swipe right on a message to open the reply interface instead of long-pressing the message first.
Enhanced Search
Messages search has been improved with filter support. Users can combine search terms like photos, contacts, and keywords to quickly narrow down results.
For example, typing “photos” followed by a person’s name helps locate shared images more efficiently.
Audio Message Transcriptions
Audio messages can now be automatically transcribed into text, making it easier to read messages when listening isn’t convenient.
Automatic Deletion of Verification Codes
iOS 17 can automatically delete one-time verification codes after they are used with AutoFill. This helps reduce clutter in the Messages app.
The feature can be enabled under:
Settings → Passwords → Password Options → Clean Up Automatically
Easier Location Sharing
Users can now share their live location, request a friend’s location, or pin a destination directly within Messages without needing to open the Maps app.
Learn More
Additional details about iOS 17 and its new features are available in Apple’s official iOS 17 overview and documentation.