The Messages app makes it easy to do math and conversions.
iOS 26 will be out this fall from Apple. It will add Liquid Glass and other features to your iPhone. But iOS 18 makes changes to your Messages app so that it can solve hard problems without your Calculator app and look up exchange rates without Google either.
Before iOS 18, you had to use the calculator app or Spotlight and then return to Messages to figure out how to split a bill with your chatting group from away. With iOS 18, you can do sums with multiple steps in Messages and change things like weather and currency without having to switch apps.
Messages math help: how to solve them:
In Messages, to solve a math problem, type the question into the text field and then add the equals sign (=). The answer will show up in the predictive text field above your computer. To add the answer to your text, tap it.
If you type easy math calculations like “2+2=” into the text area, Messages will figure them out. More complicated problems can also be solved by the app, such as those that use sine, cosine, and tangent, which are trigonometric functions. No matter what, you have to put the equals sign (=) at the end of every equation.
How to change numbers in Messages:
It’s a lot like answering math questions in the app when you change numbers in Messages. Type the number into the text box with the right value symbol, like F for Fahrenheit or lbs for pounds. Then type the equal sign (=), and the conversion will be shown in the predictive text field above your keyboard.
You don’t have to tell predictive text what to change to; it will do it for you. Don’t worry, though—the app won’t try to turn pounds into minutes. Messages will show changes to other numbers that are close. For example, Fahrenheit will show as Celsius and pounds will show as kilos.
Type something like “60hr to min=” to choose what to change to, and Messages will show you the result in the predictive text field: 3,900 minutes.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc. Product features mentioned here are based on publicly available information and may be subject to change. Always refer to the official Apple website or documentation for the latest updates.