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How to Use New Text Formatting and Scheduling in Messages on macOS Sequoia

Learn how to format text and schedule messages in the updated Messages app on macOS Sequoia

Learn how to format text and schedule messages in the updated Messages app on macOS Sequoia

by Pallav Pathak

macOS Sequoia introduces new ways to communicate using the Messages app, including the ability to format text and schedule messages to send later. These features help you clearly express your intentions and manage your conversations more effectively. Follow these detailed instructions to start using these new messaging capabilities on your Mac.

How to Format Text in Messages on macOS Sequoia

With macOS Sequoia, you can now apply text formatting directly within your messages. This includes bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough options. These formatting tools are helpful for emphasizing important points or clarifying your message.

Open the Messages app on your Mac.
Begin typing your message in an existing or new conversation. After typing your message, select the specific text you want to format.
Right-click (Control-click) the selected text and choose your desired formatting option from the contextual menu. Alternatively, you can use standard keyboard shortcuts: Command-B for bold, Command-I for italic, or Command-U for underline.
To add animated text effects such as “shake,” “explode,” or “ripple,” select your text, right-click it, and choose Text Effects. Then, select the desired effect from the provided options.
Once your message is formatted as desired, press Return to send.

Recipients must also be using macOS Sequoia, iOS 18, or iPadOS 18 to view these formatted messages. Otherwise, the message will appear as plain text.

How to Schedule Messages to Send Later on macOS Sequoia

Scheduling messages allows you to compose messages ahead of time and have them sent automatically at a specified future date and time. This feature is useful for reminders, birthday greetings, or messages you don’t want to forget.

Open the Messages app on your Mac and select or start a conversation.
Click the + button near the message input field, then choose Send Later.
Select the date and time you’d like your message to send. The scheduling option supports messages scheduled up to 14 days in advance.
Type your message in the input field and press Return. Your scheduled message will appear below the current conversation with a dotted outline, indicating it’s scheduled and not yet sent.
Source: Apple

If you need to change or cancel your scheduled message, click Edit above the scheduled message. You can choose to reschedule, send immediately, or delete the message entirely.

Using Emojis as Tapback Reactions

macOS Sequoia also improves how you interact with messages by allowing you to react with any emoji. Previously, reactions were limited to a set of predefined options.

Right-click (or Control-click) on the message bubble you want to react to.
Select Tapback from the contextual menu, and then choose any emoji from the emoji picker that appears. You can scroll through common emojis or click the emoji button to view the full selection.

Your chosen emoji will appear as a small reaction attached to the selected message, providing a quick and expressive way to respond.

These new tools in macOS Sequoia’s Messages app simplify communication by allowing precise text formatting, convenient message scheduling, and expressive emoji reactions. Start using these features today to communicate more clearly and efficiently on your Mac.

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