As the instant messaging segment is growing in popularity, the use of SMS and MMS is decreasing. Today, popular instant messaging apps for iPhone allow you to send photos, videos, file attachments, etc., all via the internet. If that’s not enough for you, you will also have an option to make voice/video calls.
List of 10 Messaging & Chat Apps for iPhone (2022)
So, if you have just purchased a new iPhone or looking for the best instant messaging apps to connect with your friends, you might find this article very useful. This article will explore the best messenger and chat apps for iPhone that you can download & use for free. Let’s check out the best messaging apps for iPhone.
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is probably the best and most popular instant messaging app available for iOS devices. You can download the app for free from the iOS app store, and it offers you many amazing and useful features. With WhatsApp, you can exchange text messages, make voice and video calls, send stickers in chats, make group voice/video calls, send file attachments, etc. The app is cross-platform supported, and it’s one of the best in the instant messaging segment.
2. Messenger
Both WhatsApp and Messenger are owned by the same company – Meta (Facebook). Just like WhatsApp, Messenger also allows you to exchange text messages. However, the catch here is that you will be able to message only your Facebook friends. Apart from the messaging, Messenger also allows you to make voice/video calls, send GIFs in chats, change the chat theme, and more. Overall, Messenger is a great instant messaging app that you can use today.
3. Telegram
Although not as popular as WhatsApp, Telegram is still one of the best messaging and chat apps you can use on your iOS devices. Telegram is available for all platforms, including Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS. Like Messenger and WhatsApp, Telegram also includes voice and video call supports. You even get an option to start an end-to-end encrypted chat on the app. Apart from that, Telegram has mainly known for its channel-specific features. You can find and join various Telegram Channels as per your needs.
4. Skype
Many don’t consider Skype an instant messaging app; it still has a text chat option. In fact, Skype also has support for group chats, and it’s known for its excellent cross-platform support. Skype provides you with emoticons, GIFs, and images from the web to liven up your conversation if we talk about the chat featuress. Overall, Skype is a great instant messaging app that you can use on your iPhone.
5. iMessage
iMessage is Apple’s own messaging app, and it’s an obvious choice for many iOS users. With iMessage, you can exchange messages with other iOS and macOS users. The only downside of iMessage is that it isn’t cross-platform supported. iMessage for iOS offers useful and exciting features such as invisible links, screen effects, sending photos, media files, etc. This is one feature-rich messaging app that you can use on your iPhone.
6. Snapchat
Snapchat is not an app known for its text messaging; instead, it’s something different. It’s basically a photo & video sharing app where you can share photos & videos that last for only 24 hours. The same goes for text messaging as well. You can send messages to your Snapchat friends, but the messages get deleted once viewed. So, there’s no message history. Other than that, you also get video chat & group video chat options.
7. Signal Private Messenger
If you want a privacy-focused messaging app for your iPhone, you should try Signal Private Messenger. It’s a full-featured messaging app that provides you with many privacy options. You can exchange text messages, make voice and video calls, share files, and do more with Signal Private Messenger. All chats were end-to-end encrypted to keep your conversations secure.
8. Viber
Viber is an app known for messaging, calling, group chats, video messages, and video chat features. While the app is not popular in some regions, it’s still one of the best messenger apps you can use on your iPhone. If we talk about the chat features, all chats & group chats on Viber were end-to-end encrypted, allowing you to communicate with confidence knowing that all the private messages are private. It also offers many useful messaging features such as reacting to messages, self-destructing messages, etc.
9. Threema
Threema is one of the best and most versatile private messaging apps you can use today. It’s an open-source application that allows you to make end-to-end encrypted voice calls, video calls, and exchange text messages. It uses encryption by default for communications, including messages, voice & video calls, group chats, media files, and even status messages. Threema even allows you to share videos, pictures, and location details on the chats. You can create groups, conduct polls, switch chat themes, etc.
10. Wickr Me – Private Messenger
If privacy is your top-most priority, Wickr Me – Private Messenger could be the perfect pick for you. Wickr Me – Private Messenger lets you exchange messages with your loved one in 1:1 or groups.While Wickr Me – Private Messenger is not as popular as other leading chat apps, it’s something different and has many useful features to offer. It also has other communication features such as voice calling & memos. And everything in this app is fully encrypted with a new key which makes it almost impossible to break. You can start messaging your loved ones with these free iOS apps. So, these are some of the best messenger and chat apps for iPhone. If you know of any other such chat apps, let us know in the comment box below.
