With the release of iOS 10, iMessage has gotten a massive overhaul, introducing games and apps that turn the messaging service into its own tiny ecosystem. With the sudden influx of new apps, the whole experience can be a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry: We’ve got you covered.
Here are the best apps for iMessage to get you texting like a champion.
1) Square Cash / Venmo
One of the best new features of iMessenger’s apps is how easy it is to send and request money from friends via text messages. Square Cash and Venmo both offer simple solutions for making payments, so your friend who always leaves his wallet at home when you go to the bar is out of excuses.
2) Open Table
Open Table revolutionized the way people do fine dining, making it easy to see who had tables available and letting you quickly make reservations. Now Open Table’s iMessages app has fixed the worst part of going to dinner with friends: picking where to eat. On top of being able to book a table, the iMessages app has a feature that allows friends to vote on where to eat dinner, ending the sea of “who wants what” conversations and refocusing your dining efforts the power of democracy.
3) Pico
With all the new bells and whistles in iMessages, you may end up texting more images than before. Save your data plan with Pico, a photo compressor within your messages. Pico reduces the image quality of those lovely iPhone photos you’ve taken so you don’t end up sending 2 to 5MB texts to the people you love. Best of all, it tells you exactly how much data you’re saving after each compression.
4) Do With Me
To-do apps are great, but they’re usually only useful for one person, at least until Do With Me. Do With Me lets you share to-do lists via text message with everyone in your conversation, allowing each person to see items checked off the list as they go. For roommates with shared groceries or married couples trying to keep track of chores, this is one simple way to improve the lines of communication in your life while getting things done.
5) GamePigeon
GamePigeon is easily the best current gaming option within iMessages. Featuring 8-Ball, Poker, Sea Battle, Anagrams, and Gomoku, this pack of games has you covered from puzzles to competition. 8-Ball controls shockingly smoothly with your fingers, and there’s nothing quite like destroying a dear friend in poker. Thankfully these games are free, but if you want to make things interesting with Venmo or Square Cash, we wouldn’t stop you.
Looking for more help? Here are the 10 best iMessage sticker packs you get for free.