Apple Could Be Planning to Redesign Messages App Next Year

Apple is reportedly working on a new version of the Messages app that could be released alongside its mixed-reality headset next year.

General Apps Messages
Twitter leaker known as "Majin Bu" today claimed that Apple is working on a completely new version of iMessage, featuring a new home view, chat rooms, video clips, and more. The app purportedly offers "new chat features in AR" and, as such, it "should" be released next year alongside Apple's headset.

iOS 16 introduced a range of new features for the Messages app, including the ability to edit or delete a recently sent message, mark conversations as unread, and collaboration invitations and activity updates, so further iteration next year seems believable – especially if it is linked to the launch of Apple's headset.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who often reveals accurate insights into Apple's plans, has said that Apple's mixed-reality headset will focus on gaming, media consumption, and communication. He believes that Memojis and SharePlay could be central to the experience. iOS 16 brought SharePlay to Messages, making it possible for multiple users to enjoy synced content like movies or songs with shared playback controls while chatting. This would necessitate a convenient experience for initiating SharePlay sessions in the Messages app on Apple's headset.

The headset itself is rumored to run an entirely new operating system called "rOS" or "realityOS," internally codenamed "Oak." Apple's work on realityOS has been rumored since 2017, but the existence of the operating system was finally confirmed earlier this year when references to it were found in App Store upload logs and Apple open source code. realityOS will presumably feature versions of many of Apple's existing apps, so a wider revitalization of the Messages app seems plausible, particularly if the app will be important to collaborative experiences on the device.

Majin Bu has revealed some accurate information about Apple's plans, particularly with regards to cases and color options, and shared the rumor of a 14.1-inch iPad before display analyst and heavyweight Apple leaker Ross Young did. That being said, their reputation with regards to software is much more variable. In March, Majin Bu shared information about a new smart multitasking system for iPadOS that would be exclusive to M1 iPads. It is unclear whether this information was legitimate since it could have referred to an early version of what is now known to be Stage Manager.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
15 months ago
Gahh, keep Messages simple please. It's a phone messaging app, not social media.
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
15 months ago
Yes, please. The messaging app is outdated and needs a major overhaul, please. Would love to see new features.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Strebor Avatar
15 months ago
Are your listening Tim?

I want it to support RCS.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BrownyQ Avatar
15 months ago
Really don't see what's outdated about the app. It's simple, straightforward, and functional. It could have more bells & whistles, sure, but what's there is solid.

And given their track record of late, I'd rather stick with solid if boring than getting another hot mess.

Tangentially related: I wonder why sticker support never came to the Mac version of the app?
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wallinbl Avatar
15 months ago

Excellent. Its too outdated with what's out there at the moment. My favourite messaging app is Telegram. The stickers available and the customisation in the app is fantastic.
As long as I can turn it all back off. Simple is fine. All that convoluted junk is convoluted junk.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MathersMahmood Avatar
15 months ago
Excellent. Its too outdated with what's out there at the moment. My favourite messaging app is Telegram. The stickers available and the customisation in the app is fantastic.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
iOS 17

28 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in December's iOS 17.2 Update

Friday December 1, 2023 2:57 am PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen three more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 28 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released this December. 1. Help...
anker new xmas

Anker's Cyber Week Sale Enters Final Days With Up to 60% Off Sitewide

Friday December 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST by
Anker's Black Friday/Cyber Week event is entering its final days this weekend, and it's still offering up to 60 percent off sitewide. There are also a few "mystery boxes" that can include hundreds of dollars in savings, if you're willing to risk not knowing what you're buying ahead of time. All of these sales will end on December 3. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Anker. When you...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 With Security Fixes

Thursday November 30, 2023 10:12 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2, small updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems that Apple introduced in September. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 come a few weeks after the release of iOS 17.1.1, another bug fix update. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update....
iPhone 16 Mock Header Updated 1

iPhone 16 to Include Action Button Across Entire Lineup

Thursday November 30, 2023 4:08 pm PST by
The release of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max saw the introduction of an entirely new user-configurable button known as the Action button, and now, MacRumors has seen extensive evidence confirming Apple is planning to include the Action button on the entire iPhone 16 range. Designs and plans for the Action button date back to at least 2021, as the button was intended for release alongside hapt...
paramount plus logo

Apple and Paramount Considering Discounted TV+ Streaming Bundle

Friday December 1, 2023 4:40 am PST by
Apple and Paramount have discussed bundling their TV streaming services at a discount, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. The companies have talked about offering a combination of Paramount+ and Apple TV+ that would cost less than subscribing to both services separately, according to people familiar with the discussions. The discussions are in their early stages, and it is ...
top stories 2dec2023

Top Stories: iOS 17.1.2 Released, NameDrop Misinformation, and More

Saturday December 2, 2023 6:00 am PST by
Apple employees are back to work following a Thanksgiving break, and that means this week saw a number of new operating system updates for both public release and beta testing. This week also saw some misinformation about Apple's new NameDrop feature making the rounds, while Apple and Goldman Sachs appear to be on the verge of a break-up in their Apple Card and savings account partnership,...
General Apps Messages

Green Bubbles on iPhone to Gain These 7 New Features Next Year

Thursday November 30, 2023 9:00 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple announced that it will finally support RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting later next year. This change will result in several improvements to the messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices. RCS will become the new default standard for messaging between iPhones and Android devices, but these conversations will still have green bubbles like...