Apple has introduced significant updates to its Messages app in iOS 18, with a particular focus on enhancing the popular Tapback feature. Tapbacks, the quick reactions users can add to messages by long-pressing on them, have received a colorful makeover and expanded functionality.

ios 18 messages tapback colors
In iOS 18, the six standard Tapback icons now feature more vibrant colors and intricate details. This visual refresh makes reactions more expressive and engaging, since the new design is visible both when selecting a Tapback and when receiving one from other users.

Perhaps the most notable change however is the addition of emoji support for Tapbacks. While the classic six reactions remain, you now have the option to choose from a wide array of emoji characters, adding a new layer of personalization to your message responses and making them more nuanced and expressive.

Here's how to use emoji as a Tapback reaction to a message you received in iOS 18:

  1. Long press on a message in the conversation thread.
  2. Swipe left across the standard Tapback reactions.
  3. Either select one of the suggested emoji to use, or tap the greyed out emoji at the end of the row to access the emoji keyboard and choose one that better suits your reaction.

messages

That's all there is to it. In iOS 18, Apple has also added new text effects and formatting options to the Messages app. Follow the links to learn how to use them.

Top Rated Comments

xxray Avatar
23 weeks ago
How do they appear on devices pre-iOS 18?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrTemple Avatar
23 weeks ago

Must both iPhone owners have iOS18 for this to work or only one side will do?

TIA
To anybody on an older version of iMessage (or no iMessage), it shows:

Craig Federighi reacted ?‍♂️ to "How come you're always late?"
To other interfaces and non iMessages (car etc) if you use one of the standard reacts it changes it to loved/emphasized/questioned/etc:



Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CharlesShaw Avatar
23 weeks ago
I use Tapback on a friend's daily gifs, and now that I have so many choices, I might suffer from writer's block. ?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GruberHans Avatar
23 weeks ago
Top tip: Stop holding down a message to react and quickly double tap that same message instead.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CharlesShaw Avatar
23 weeks ago

How do they appear on devices pre-iOS 18?
The recipient receives a text that says: Reacted [whatever emoji you used] to "[content of message]"
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yoheywut Avatar
23 weeks ago
I wish I could rearrange them. Not a fan of the orange thumb etc
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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