mssgs 2.1 brings nine built-in games, an Apple Watch app and CarPlay to iPhone

Brummen, the Netherlands, 31 July 2026

mssgs, the independent Dutch group chat application, has released version 2.1 for iOS, its largest update for iPhone and iPad to date. The release adds nine games that are played inside a conversation, an Apple Watch application, CarPlay support, and a redesigned layout for iPad.

The update is available on the App Store and is free of charge, as the rest of mssgs is. All data continues to be hosted in the European Union.

Nine games, played in the conversation itself

Games in mssgs are not a separate application or an embedded web page. A game is started in a conversation, and the board is part of the thread the players are already in. Version 2.1 makes the full set available on iOS: Four in a Row, Battleship, Checkers, Snake, Snake Capture, Tegostrat, Polymono, Word Guesser and Memory.

Each game supports lobbies, invite codes, joining by QR code, spectating, rematches and in-game emotes, so a match can be arranged and replayed without leaving the conversation.

On the wrist and in the car

The new Apple Watch application shows conversations, allows a reply to be sent from the watch, and displays friends who are sharing their location on a map.

CarPlay support brings conversations, friends, calls and voice memos to the vehicle display, with Siri available for sending and reading messages. A separate Siri Shortcut shares a location together with a preset message.

A layout that suits the device

The iPad layout has been rebuilt to show communities, channels and the open conversation side by side, rather than as a scaled iPhone view.

The release also introduces a light appearance, with the option to follow the system setting, and a Tools tab containing a stopwatch, a timer and a calculator.

Photos, communities and everyday use

The photo and video editor now stacks several filters at once and adds a Cinematic look, GIF stickers and location filters on video posts. Conversations can be given individual backgrounds, a whole album can be saved to the photo library in a single action, and an important message can be kept at the top of a conversation for a few hours.

For communities, the release adds an information header, a quick start for owners, invitation and joining by QR code, an overview of bans, and channel access set per role or per member. PDF and other file attachments open in a built-in viewer.

A group chat is where a lot of people spend their evenings, so it should be able to do more than carry text. Putting the games in the conversation rather than beside it, and putting the conversation on a watch and in a car, are the same idea from two directions.

René van Sweeden, founder of mssgs

Availability

mssgs 2.1 for iOS is available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, with the Apple Watch application included. The full release notes for every platform are published at mss.gs/en/releases.

mssgs is free to use, carries no advertising, and hosts all data in the European Union. Downloads for every platform are available at mss.gs/en/downloads.