While iOS 27 might be focused on Siri AI, there are plenty of other upgrades under the surface. Case in point: The new update brings a number of new features to Messages. The app is getting an AI feature that's actually useful, better notifications, and performance updates that bring faster loading and syncing across devices. Here's everything that's coming to Messages in iOS 27. Note that the update isn't due out until sometime in the fall, and while you can try these features on the iOS 27 beta now, understand the risks involved before you do. See Lifehacker's explainer here for more information.

You can now remove the voice message button

I do send voice notes here and there, but not nearly enough to justify keeping the voice message button in the chat box. More often than not, I hit that button accidentally and end up sending garbled audio from my pocket. With iOS 27, you can now customize that button. Once you've updated to iOS 27, you can go to Settings > Apps > Messages, and select Show in Text Field. You have three choices here: Record Audio, Start Dictation, and None. I went with "None," but you're free to replace voice messages with dictation too.

Drawing is a new iMessage app

It's easy to forget that iMessage has "apps," but it looks like Apple hasn't given up on the category yet. In iOS 27, Apple added a new one called Drawing, which allows you to quickly draw something and send it to your contacts. Even if your contact doesn't have iOS 27, they'll still be able to view the drawings you send. To access it, press the + button next to the chat box, and you'll see all available iMessage apps.

Apple is adding one-tap suggestions in Messages

iOS 27 is also adding one-tap suggestions to Messages for iPhones that support Apple Intelligence. I haven't tried this feature yet, but Apple has shared a couple of examples of how this could play out. When someone asks you for photos, Apple says Siri AI can suggest relevant options by recognizing keywords, locations, and people in your photo library. In another scenario, if your friend asks you to bring something to your next meeting, you'll see buttons to add that message to Notes or Reminders.

iOS will automatically try resending failed messages

Whenever a message fails to send, it typically sits in the Messages app with a big red exclamation mark next to it. With iOS 27, your iPhone will try to resend these messages. Other reliability updates include faster message loading and faster syncing across devices.

Each message gets its own send indicator

When you send a large attachment, like a high-res photo or video, it can add confusion to your chats in Messages, as text messages sent after the photo or video may look like they're waiting for the media to send first. Apple is fixing this in iOS 27 by showing you a send indicator for each individual message. That way, you can see that while a video might still be sending, the message you sent after already went through.

You can search for messages by phone number or nickname

In the Messages app, you can use the search field to look up conversations by phone number, and you'll see all the conversations that include the person who has that number. You can also search for a person's nickname in Messages to reveal all conversations with that person—assuming you've added their nickname to their contact.

Consolidated notifications for message reactions

When you're in a big group chat, and 15 people react to your joke, it blows up your iPhone's notifications. Apple's changing that in iOS 27, and will only show a single notification for multiple reactions.