Apple Messages gets pinned messages, inline conversation and more: How it compared to WhatsApp

Apple Messages got one of the biggest feature updates with iOS 14. A lot of it was showcased by Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering during the WWDC 2020 presentation. But while Apple Messages getting new features is really a welcome move by seval iPhone users, it is also a threatening move for one of the top instant messenger apps available right now, WhatsApp. When you compare both Apple Messages in iOS 14 and WhatsApp simply on the basis of features, a lot are now in common and some are extra in Apple’s instant messenger.

So, how exactly the new Apple Messenger app is inching closer to WhatsApp? Read below.

Also read: Messages, Safari get interesting new features with iOS 14

One of the highlighted features of Messages was the ability to Pin conversations on top. Yes, you have this in WhatsApp as well. However, what’s an addition here is that in Messages you can pit up to 9 conversations to the top of the conversation list. This is more than WhatsApp’s limit of 3 chat pins. You can also see what text they are sending without opening the chat.

While both the platforms had group conversations before as well, Apple Messages now lets you add a photo or Memoji or choose an emoji.

Second feature that Apple Messages gets is @mentions. Again, this has been there in WhatsApp before and works in the same way. Once you mention the name, you get an alert for that chat as well.

Also read: PiP mode to movable widgets: iOS 14 features Android users already have

Inline replies is another feature that brings Apple Messages closer to WhatsApp. This means that you can now reply to a particular message and view them as a separate thread or inside a group conversation so you don’t lose track of discussions.

And of course, new Messages also introduces new Memoji styles. This includes new face cuts, accessories, age groups and most importantly, face masks.

All these come in addition to other existing features like easy location sharing, Apple Music and other third party integrations, something WhatsApp doesn’t yet.