Apple is introducing an overhaul of one of our most-used apps on the iPhone, the Messages app. Alongside notable tweaks, like the ability to view transcribed voice messages and an interface change that hides away iMessage apps, the company is also introducing new features, like the safety-focused \u201cCheck In\u201d option that will allow iPhone users to let their friends and family know they got home safely \u2014 or where they were last.<\/p>\n

Combined, the improvements to Messages will deliver a sizable quality-of-life update to iPhone users, though individually they are more minor upgrades.<\/p>\n

Among the other changes, Messages is also getting a faster and more convenient search experience which now lets you start a search, then narrow things down with Search Filters to find exactly what you\u2019re looking for, says Apple. And a new \u201ccatch-up\u201d option will help you quickly jump to the first message you haven\u2019t seen in your group chats \u2014 handy for those buzzier groups you have on mute, perhaps. Plus, inline replies to messages are now easier as you can just swipe on any chat bubble to start a reply.<\/p>\n

Another big improvement is the ability to view a transcription of voice messages \u2014 a feature that\u2019s always been more convenient for the sender than the recipient, who doesn\u2019t always have time to listen. Now, these messages are transcribed so you can read them instead, if you don\u2019t have time or a quiet place to play them back, for example.<\/p>\n