iOS 27 brings a range of new features to the Messages app, leveraging Apple Intelligence, a new Drawing iMessage app, and improvements for RCS messages. The main new feature is one-tap suggestions, which facilitate quick actions directly in the conversation.
One-Tap Suggestions
Apple Intelligence enables so-called one-tap suggestions in iOS 27. Based on the conversation context, Messages offers buttons for quickly creating a reminder, a note, or finding photos. The system recognizes keywords, places, and people in your library. Suggestions appear either directly under the message or in the top row of the keyboard.
Drawing iMessage
The new Drawing iMessage app brings the basic Markup tools you know from Notes or Preview. It allows you to send a quick doodle to friends. The app is available on all iPhones, but will be especially useful on the large display of the upcoming iPhone Ultra. The question remains whether the iPhone Ultra will support Apple Pencil.
RCS Improvements
When communicating with green bubbles via RCS, iOS 27 brings welcome improvements. The RCS 2.7 standard adds:
- Inline replies – ability to reply to a specific message just like in iMessage.
- Tapback reactions – heart, thumbs up, and other reactions now display correctly for Android users as well, instead of a text notification.
The RCS 2.7 standard also includes the ability to edit and unsend messages, which could appear in one of the following updates.
Other Changes
- Grouped notifications for multiple tapback reactions – fewer notifications.
- Smart replies now based on the user's personal writing style.
- Automatic blocking of violent or bloody content on child accounts.
Performance Improvements
Apple improved Messages performance in iOS 27:
- Automatic retry sending of failed messages.
- Faster loading of messages and synchronization between devices.
- Previews and search of offloaded media.
- Continuous sending of photos, videos, and texts.
- Searching conversations by phone number or contact nickname.