Apple just made a big change to iMessage - here's how to use it

When you downloaded iOS 11, you may have noticed something new inside iMessage: a strip of app icons at the bottom of the screen.

The icons, called an app drawer, include a brand-new GIFs button, quick access to the App Store, the ability to send songs via Apple Music, and more.

The new app drawer is Apple's way of building off the changes it made to iMessage in iOS 10. Back then, Apple introduced a special iMessage App Store and added drawing features. But iOS 11 takes things one step further - and it's going to make your life a lot easier.

Here's how to use the new iMessage: