Over the last several versions of iOS, Apple has added a variety of new
features to the Messages app on iPhone, some of which are more useful than
others. One of the key areas that Apple has neglected, however, is group
iMessage, and this is something I'd really like Apple to focus on with iOS
14 this year.
iOS 10 was a particularly big release for the iMessage, adding things like
games, rich links, Digital Touch, and more. iOS 12 added support
<https://9to5mac.com/2018/06/09/ios-12-spam-calls-and-texts/> spam and junk
controls, while iOS 13
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/06/13/ios-13-messages-how-to-choose-profile-photo-
and-display-name-for-imessage/> added support for sharing profile pictures
and display names.
These are all (generally) very useful features and help Apple's Messages
experience compete with things like WhatsApp and Messenger. One area,
though, feels like it's been overlooked: group messages.
There are three primary features I'd like to see come to the Messages app in
iOS 14 for group iMessage threads: read receipts, typing indicators, and
Apple Cash for group messages.
Read receipts are one of the most useful iMessage feature for individual
threads, allowing you to see when someone else has read your messages. For
group iMessages, Apple should allow you to see who in the group has read a
message. For the sake of interface simplicity, you wouldn't even necessarily
need to see when someone read it, just that that they did. This is a
feature offered by virtually every other messaging platform, and it's one
that makes group communication much easier - especially when planning an
event with important information.
Next, we're all familiar with the "bubbles" we see in iMessage conversations
when someone else is typing a message. This feature is nowhere to be found
in group messaging, however. For iMessage groups in iOS 14, this feature
could easily be useful for preventing crosstalk, so if you see someone else
is typing, you wait to see what they have to say before sending your own
message.
And last but not least: Apple Cash in group messages. As it stands right
now, you can use Apple Cash in Messages for individual threads, but not
groups. Group support for Apple Cash could enable things like splitting a
bill, for instance. Simply put the total in the group, and everyone chips in
via Apple Pay.
For Apple, the competition in messaging has increased dramatically in recent
years. Apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Snapchat, Telegram, and WeChat have
gained traction as incredibly popular messaging platforms that are
independent of iMessage. They also all offer features like group payments,
typing indicators, and read receipts.
Meanwhile,
<https://9to5google.com/2019/12/12/google-rcs-messages-us-available/> Google
is pushing forward with its adoption of Rich Communication Services, or RCS,
which is a platform that includes many iMessage-like features for Android
users. iMessage has long been one of the most popular iPhone features, and
one that locks users into the Apple ecosystem. Updates to group messaging
would go a long way towards helping iMessage keep up with the competition.
These may seem like obvious requests, and they've even
<https://9to5mac.com/2015/05/26/ios-9-supports-iphone-6s-force-touch-may-enh
ance-imessage-keyboard-apple-pay/> been rumored for iOS updates before. But
ultimately, they have yet to actually make their way to iPhone. Hopefully,
this will be the year Apple finally adds additional group messaging features
to iOS, but we'll have to wait and find out.
By <https://9to5mac.com/author/chmiller44/> Chance Miller
Read more:
* <https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/01/iphone-do-not-disturb/> iPhone Do
Not Disturb: It's time for Apple to rethink it with iOS 14
* <https://9to5mac.com/2020/02/01/watchos-7-request-face-switching/>
watchOS 7 wish: Apple Watch face switching based on closing rings, location,
and schedules
*
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/02/04/watchos-7-visual-concept-sleep-tracking-cust
om-activity-rings/> watchOS 7 visual concept dreams up sleep tracking,
customizable Activity rings, 'Weekend Getaway' and much more
* <https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/26/ios-14-devices-rumor/> Rumor: iOS
14 to support all of the devices as iOS 13
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