Tapbacks are better in iOS 18’s Messages app, but they need one key fix

One of the Messages app’s most-used features, Tapbacks, got a big upgrade in iOS 18. The standard tapbacks were redesigned, and you can now use any emoji as a tapback. But there’s one tapback fix that’s become more needed than ever, and I hope Apple addresses it soon.

The expansive growth of tapbacks in Messages

I don’t know about you, but some of my Messages conversations are absolutely overrun by tapbacks.

Certain group chats tend to be the worst offenders.

I’m on some group threads where practically every message sent gets several tapback reactions from others.

Now that any emoji can be a tapback in iOS 18, any message someone sends can be paired with a relevant and/or humorous tapback—exacerbating the problem.

Fortunately, the fix could be very easy for Apple.

New setting could enable muting tapback alerts

iOS already lets you mute any thread of your choosing. It offers two convenient options:

1. You can swipe left on the conversation and hit the bell icon
2. Or open the thread, tap the name/number at the top, and hit the ‘Hide Alerts’ toggle

What I’d like is for a new toggle to be added.

Just one little toggle: ‘Hide Alerts for Tapbacks’

That way, I can still get notified when actual messages are sent inside a group chat, but tapbacks won’t alert me.

I wouldn’t want to disable tapback alerts everywhere, just for several group chats where constant alerts make it hard to keep up with the conversation.

This small addition to Messages’ info screen would do the trick.

Do you have the same problem? Want Apple to add a new toggle for tapback alerts? Let us know in the comments.

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