iOS 18: Your iPhone’s Messages app can now do math
Apple released iOS 18.1 in October, just over a month after the tech company released it iOS 18. Although iOS 18.1 brings some new features and bug fixes for your iPhone such as record conversationiOS 18 has upgraded your Messages app. Apple brought RCS messages to the app, and the tech company also gave the app the ability to perform math problems.
Before iOS 18, if you wanted to know how to split a bill remotely with your SMS group, you had to use your calculator app or Spotlight and then switch back to Messages. With iOS 18, you can perform multi-step calculations and convert things like currency and temperature in Messages without switching apps.
Read more: iOS 18 brings these new features to your iPhone
Here’s how you can have Messages perform calculations.
How to solve math problems in Messages
To solve a math equation in Messages, type the problem into your text field and add the equal sign (=) and the solution will appear in the predictive text field on your keyboard. Tap the solution to add it to your text.
Messages can solve simple equations (such as “2+2=”) by typing them into the text field. The app can also solve equations that use more complex formulas, such as the trigonometric functions of sine, cosine, and tangent. You must use the equal sign (=) at the end, no matter what.
How to convert values in Messages
Converting values in Messages works similar to solving math problems in the app. Type the value into your text box with the appropriate value mark (such as F for Fahrenheit or lbs for pounds), and then type the equal sign (=), and the predictive text field above your keyboard will show you the conversion.
If you don’t specify what to convert to, choose the predictive text to convert to. Don’t worry: it won’t try to convert pounds into minutes. Messages show conversions to other similar units, so Fahrenheit is converted to Celsius and pounds are converted to kilograms.
You can choose what you want to convert by typing something like “60hr to min=”. Messages shows the conversion in the predictive text field – that’s 3,900 minutes.
For more information about iOS 18, here everything you need to know about iOS 18.1Mine iOS 18 review and our iOS 18 cheat sheet. You can also watch what iOS 18.2 can soon bring to your iPhone.
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