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iMessage Utilities That Add Functionality & Save Time

iMessage Utilities That Add Functionality & Save Time

Apple's iMessage isn't just about sending stickers. You can also use the iOS 10 app to send money, translate languages, and send private messages. Here's a nice sampling of some of these first iMessage utility apps.

Shhh: Send Messages Privately

Sometimes we need to make sure our messages are only seen by the person we're sending them to and no one else. Heck, sometimes we only want them to see it once and never see it again, Snapchat style. Good news is thanks to these apps, iMessage can fulfill our wish.

Confide - Private messenger

Self-destructing messages

Confide - Private messenger

Send in Confidence

For folks who don't want their messages lingering around forever

Confide offers off-the-record and “self-destructing” communication with text messages instead of images (as with Snapchat). Once messages in the app are read, they disappear for good. What’s more, it effectively deters users from taking screenshots of messages by concealing words until they are swiped and making each word disappear after it’s passed over.

Why we love it

The best feature of Confide is the ability of the app to prevent screenshots from your device. Self-destructing messages are also nice, allowing you to be sure that secret message won't be around forever. Confide takes privacy to the next level, allowing you the ultimate in secure messaging.

Don't Be Stuck Guessing What A Word Means

We all have that one friend to tries to impress us by using super big words. We don't want to admit it, but sometimes...just sometimes...we don't know what that word means. Now we could ask our friend, but now that would just feed our friend's ego right? Well instead of asking, let's ask iMessage instead!

LookUp: English Dictionary

LookUp: English Dictionary

Squircle Apps LLP

Word of the Day

For those who want an English dictionary with etymology and content in one search.

LookUp is an elegant dictionary that makes it fun and easy to look up words. You can also get a Word of the Day and build up your vocabulary. Share your new favorite words with others through iMessage.

Why we love it

For more than just simple searches, LookUp: An elegant dictionary gives you extra details on your lookups.

Now You're Speaking My Language

No hablo español? No Worries. Just have your stock Messages app translate for you in real time. No this translator does not charge by the hour, you just have to install one of our favorite iMessage apps.

iTranslate Translator

Easily translate text, websites, or start voice-to-voice conversations in over 90 languages.

iTranslate Translator

What Did You Say?

For those who are looking for a fast way to translate.

iTranslate offers translations in over 90 languages. Switching between languages is easy. So you can quickly type (or speak) a word and find out what it means or put in a full sentence so you can communicate regardless of where you are in the world.

Why we love it

It's the perfect app to bring with on all your travels.

Send Someone Money!

Remember when it was annoying to pay someone back. you had to keep track of how much you owe, and it was embarrassing if you had to ask your friend for the money later. Well, now it's literally as easy as sending a text message. As soon as someone pays the bill at the restaurant, you can shoot them a text for the amount you owe. It's literally that easy, you just need the right apps.

Cash App

Send money to anyone for free!

Cash App

Send Money Right From iMessage

For those who use Square but just need to send or receive money without having a card reader.

Square Cash lets you send money from your bank account to anyone for free.! Just add your debit card, input an amount to send or request from someone, find the person in your contacts or use Bluetooth or just input their username, and then you're good to go. The money you receive is deposited directly to your bank account (since it's debit card only, no credit), and any money sent is withdrawn directly. It's fast, simple, and secure.

Why we love it

The interface for Square Cash is sleek and simple, and the process of sending and receiving money is insanely easy.

Venmo

Venmo is a safe and secure alternative

Venmo

Send Money or Request To Be Paid

For those who want a safe and secure way to pay and receive money from others

Venmo is another peer-to-peer payment app. Just set up your account with your information, debit or bank account, and you're good to go. You can send payments to others while including a note so you can make sure you and the other party know what the money is for, and you can get money from others just as quickly. Remember to cash out to have that money transferred overnight to your bank account, so it's ready the next day. It's fast and secure to use.

Why we love it

It's simple and has a great process for sending and receiving money.

Circle Pay

Send and receive money in a snap

Circle Pay

Send money with just a few taps

If you don't want to pay fees but still have a secure way to pay, join the Circle

Sending money with Circle Pay is quick and easy, once you enroll with your bank account or debit card. Just tap the Send button on the left, type in the amount, and choose who to send it to. You can then include a note, photo, or even a GIF for fun. When you are ready to send money to a pal, you can easily see your Circle Pay balance. If you don't have enough in your account to cover it, you can choose to send with a debit card. Don't worry about security, either, because Circle's got you covered. Security settings include Touch ID and a password. You can also use two-factor authentication and set the amounts for sending and withdrawing money. Circle Pay is fast and easy, and so is cashing out. You can cash out to a supported debit card instantly. Unlike most other such options, Circle doesn't even charge you to use it.

Why we love it

CIrcle Pay is easy to use for requesting money, too. If you need to split the check at a restaurant, the app makes it amazingly easy. It uses location services to determine which of your friends are nearby, so you don't have to hunt through dozens or more of your contacts to find the right people. Just put in the amount you want to collect, choose your friends, and they'll get a notification that you've asked them for money. Not only is Circle Pay is quick and simple to use, the fact that it doesn't charge any fees makes the app even more valuable. The app has a convenient Help area with details as well as buttons to contact the help center by phone or message. That's not all, though. With Circle Pay, you can send money to someone straight from the Messages app. They'll get a link to tap, and that will open up your offering in the Circle Pay app. Then, your friend just has to accept it, and away they go.