How to use iOS 17 iMessage Check In Feature on iPhone

The latest iOS 17 brings a new slew of features to the Messages app, and one of my favorite iOS 17 features is iMessage Check In. Whenever I’m traveling at night or early morning, my mom always checks on me to know that I’ve reached the destination safely. However, sometimes I forget to notify her, miss her calls, and she stays worried. This is where iMessage’s Check In feature on iPhone comes into play.

It can automatically notify your family or friends when you’ve reached the destination safely, cutting all the stress down. Whether you are heading home late at night from your friends’ place or leaving early morning to catch a flight, the Check In feature in iMessage on iPhone provides a convenient way to share your current status with your loved ones. So, in this guide, we will show you how to use the iMessage Check-In feature on an iPhone. Let’s dive in!

How to Use Check In in Messages App on iPhone

Note: You don’t have to compromise on security and privacy, as all of the data shared via the Check In feature is end-to-end encrypted.

1. Open the Messages app and select a conversation with whom you want to share your Check In card.

2. Tap the “+” icon at the bottom-left, next to the message box.

3. Then, tap More and choose Check In from the menu.

4. When you use the iMessage Check In feature on your iPhone for the first time, you will see an onboarding screen. Hit Continue.

5. Now, choose the data you wish to share when you don’t arrive as expected. The Limited option will share your current location, battery details, and network signal strength. The Full option shares all the data mentioned in the Limited option, along with additional info like the route you traveled and the location where you unlocked your iPhone or removed your Apple Watch.

6. Tap Continue once you’ve selected the data-sharing option.

7. Then, tap “Send a Check In” in the Messages app on iPhone.

8. The message box will show you the Check In card.

9. By default, Check In shares the location of your home. You can tap Edit to change your arrival time or destination. You will see a Check In details page.

10. Under the “When I arrive” tab, you can change your destination and adjust your estimated travel time based on the mode of transport (walking, driving, or transit). Also, if your plans get changed during the journey, you can update your arrival time in the iMessage Check In interface.

11. Tap the Blue arrow icon to share the Check In.

12. Once you reach the destination on the estimated time, the iMessage Check In card will automatically notify your contacts that you’ve arrived safely.

13. In case there’s any delay or something goes wrong, the iMessage Check In feature will detect that you aren’t making any progress. In this case, it will show a prompt on your iPhone, you can choose to End Check In or Add Time. Moreover, there’s an option to send an emergency alarm as well.

14. If you don’t respond within 15 minutes, your contact will receive a notification that you’re delayed. They can tap to view the Limited or Full data (depending on the amount of data you’ve chosen to share) and take necessary measures.