Custom vibrations and other ways to shake up your smartphone messages

This article has been updated since its original publication on October 24, 2017.

Modern messaging is incredibly convenient, but the features offered by various apps often go untapped. Let's explore some hidden gems within popular messaging platforms.

Facebook Messenger

Quieting the Noise: Muting Conversations

While we cherish our connections, constant notifications can be overwhelming. Facebook Messenger allows you to mute specific chats, temporarily silencing alerts for a chosen duration (15 minutes to 24 hours, or indefinitely). Muted conversations remain accessible, allowing you to catch up at your convenience.

To mute a thread, open the chat, tap the contact's or group's name, and select "Mute." Choose to mute message alerts, call notifications, or both.

Beyond the Mobile App: Messenger's Web Interface

For uninterrupted conversations without constant phone checks, utilize Messenger's web interface at messenger.com. This dedicated platform offers a cleaner, ad-free experience compared to the main Facebook site. Enjoy added perks like chat customization (colors) and a dedicated panel for shared photos (accessible via the chat customization menu on both web and mobile).

Google Chat (successor to Hangouts)

Efficient Search: Finding Conversations in Gmail

Google Chat, the successor to Hangouts, integrates seamlessly with Gmail. While it doesn't directly back up chats as emails, searching your chat history is easy from within Gmail.

Open a conversation, click the three dots in the upper right corner, and select "Search in this chat." This will redirect you to Gmail's search bar, allowing you to search within that specific chat. For broader searches across all chats, use Gmail's search bar and toggle the "Mail" or "Chat & Rooms" switch to filter results.

Note: During the transition from Hangouts, some older chats may remain in the Classic Hangouts archive. A banner will indicate this; click "View" to access them.

Text Formatting for Emphasis

Add clarity and personality to your Google Chat messages with text formatting. Use Ctrl B (Cmd B on macOS) for bold, Ctrl I (Cmd I) for italics, and Ctrl U (Cmd U) for underline (web interface only). Mobile users can achieve similar effects using asterisks (*) for bold and underscores (_) for italics.

Messages for iOS

Personalized Vibrations: Prioritizing Important Contacts

iOS allows you to assign custom vibration patterns to specific contacts, instantly identifying the sender even before looking at your phone.

In Contacts, tap a contact, select "Edit," then "Text Tone," "Vibration," and "Create New Vibration." Design a unique pattern or choose from pre-set options. You can also set custom ringtones for contacts here.

Expressive Communication: Digital Touch Drawings

Add a personal touch to your messages with hand-drawn doodles. In a Messages thread, tap the apps icon (looks like an "A"), find "Digital Touch" (two fingers on a heart), and create your drawing.

WhatsApp

Controlling Privacy: Managing Last Seen and Read Receipts

WhatsApp's default settings show your last active time and read receipts. To enhance privacy, disable these features in Settings > Account > Privacy. Note: disabling these also prevents you from seeing this information for your contacts.

Real-time Location Sharing: Convenient for Meetings and Updates

Share your location in real-time with contacts for easy meetups or to provide location updates. In a chat, tap the paperclip icon, select "Location," and choose "Share live location." Select a time limit (15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours).

Social Media Apps

Preserving Memories: Saving Snapchat Messages

Snapchat's disappearing messages can make tracking conversations challenging. To save a message, press and hold it and select "Save in Chat."

Private Photo Sharing on Instagram

Instagram allows private photo sharing. Tap the direct message icon (paper airplane), then the new message icon (pencil on a square), select your recipient(s), and send your message or photo. You can also send photos directly from posts using the same paper airplane icon.

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