# More than messages! Here are 7 hidden features that make Apple Messages an essential app

> Apple’s Messages app (née iMessage) has never been for basic text messages; it’s always done more, especially if your recipient also has an iPhone. Nowadays, sending a text is only the tip of the iceberg for Messages.

- **Source:** [TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/more-than-messages-here-are-7-hidden-features-that-makes-apple-messages-an-essential-app?utm_source=gearopen.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=696b2cf0ea6eddee0f6955d2)
- **Published:** 2026-01-17
- **Category:** Phones
- **Tags:** #iphone #apple #messages #essential #features #hidden #sending #text
- **Canonical:** http://localhost:4321/a/696b2cf0ea6eddee0f6955d2

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_GearOpen's distilled summary. The full original article is published at TechRadar (source link above); GearOpen does not republish the source's full text._