The Messages app’s frequently utilized feature, Tapbacks, received a significant enhancement in iOS 18. The traditional tapbacks have been revamped, allowing users to apply any emoji as a tapback. However, there’s a particular tapback adjustment that has become increasingly necessary, and I sincerely hope Apple addresses it in the near future.
The expansive growth of tapbacks in Messages
Some group chats are especially notorious for this.
I’m a part of certain group threads in which nearly every incoming message receives multiple tapback reactions from participants.
With the ability to use any emoji as a tapback in iOS 18, essentially any message can be accompanied by an appropriate and/or amusing tapback—making the situation even more overwhelming.
Fortunately, the solution could be quite simple for Apple.
A new setting could allow muting tapback notifications
iOS currently permits muting any conversation of your choice, providing two easy methods:
- You can swipe left on the conversation and click the bell icon.
- Alternatively, open the thread, tap on the name/number at the top, and switch on the ‘Hide Alerts’ toggle.
What I would like is for a new toggle to be introduced.
Just a single toggle: ‘Hide Alerts for Tapbacks’
This way, I could still receive notifications for actual messages within a group chat, while tapbacks remain silent.
I wouldn’t want to turn off tapback notifications globally, just for the specific group chats where incessant alerts make it challenging to keep track of the conversation.
This minor enhancement to the Messages info screen would effectively resolve the issue.
Do you share similar frustrations? Would you like Apple to introduce a new toggle for tapback notifications? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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