3 iMessage features to make texting more fun on your iPhone: Video

Messaging is the most commonly used form of communication in the United States, according to a recent YouGov survey. The February 2026 study found that 85% of adults say they use messaging on a regular basis. The survey included men and women from Gen Z to baby boomers and older. Across each demographic, messaging reigned supreme.

Voice calls were the second most widely used communication method, with 58% of adults saying they use them regularly.

Messaging can be sent across many platforms, but if you’re using an Apple device, why not make it a little more fun?

Watch this video to see how to format text and more in iMessage.

iPhone schedule text

iMessage messages can be scheduled to send at any time within the next 14 days. You can schedule a message on any Apple device, and it can be sent to any type of device, Apple or not.

You can schedule it to send either before or after you type out the message.

To schedule an iMessage:

1. Tap the Plus (+) sign to the left of the iMessage text input box.
2. Tap Send Later in the list.
3. Select the date and time.
4. Tap the send arrow when you have the message ready and date and time set. The scheduled message will appear with a dashed line around it until it is sent. 

If you need to edit the message or change the delivery time, tap Edit underneath the scheduled message and make the adjustments. You can view scheduled messages on any device logged into the same Apple account.

The message will be sent at the scheduled time, regardless of whether your device is offline, and there is no indication on the recipient’s end that the message was scheduled.

How to bold text on iPhone

Texting doesn’t have to be boring. You can add bold, italic and underlined formatting to your messages or make the text come to life with animations.

On your device, tap the “A” with three lines at the top right of the on-screen keyboard. Highlight the text you want to format, then select the formatting or animation you want to apply.

How and where you use these features in a message is entirely up to you. You can apply them to a single word, the entire message or mix and match effects throughout.

These effects appear only when both the sender and recipient are using iMessage. Messages sent to older software or non-Apple devices will appear as plain text.

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React to a text

Let your friends and family know what you really think with a Tapback. These quick reactions attach to messages in your conversation, and now you can make them almost anything you want.

To react, double-tap or long-press a message until the menu appears.

You can select from the standard set of reactions or tap the grayed-out smiley face to search through the emoji, Memoji and sticker library.