Master Messages in Big Sur

The new version of macOS features some big improvements in Messages

REQUIRES macOS 11

YOU WILL LEARN

How to use the new features in Big Sur Messages

IT WILL TAKE 20 minutes

THE MESSAGES APP in Big Sur is a major improvement on the version in Catalina. It’s now on a par with most of its rival messaging apps and has features that bring it much more into line with Messages on the iPhone and iPad.

Among those useful new features are the ability to pin up to nine messages to the top of the messages list and the option to reply directly to a message in a group conversation, thus creating a separate thread. You can now also create a custom image for group conversations and “mention” others by typing their name. Messages now allows you to configure notifications so you only get an alert when someone mentions you.

If you love sharing GIFs you can now search for them within Messages and easily add them to a conversation, and you can add a bit of personal expression with a Memoji, too. Searching messages has also been improved and is now faster.