Use message effects with iMessage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

You need iMessage to send message effects. If you aren't sure whether you're using iMessage or SMS/MMS texts, learn the difference. Depending on your carrier, messaging rates might apply when you send SMS/MMS. If you use iMessage and Wi-Fi is unavailable, cellular data rates might apply.

With message effects, you can use bubble effects to change the way your message bubbles look. You can also use full-screen effects to animate the screen when you send a message.

With Camera Effects in iOS 12, you can liven up your conversations even more. Quickly create and share a photo or video with Animoji, Memoji, filters, text, fun stickers, and more. Follow these steps:

1. Open Messages and tap  to create a new message. Or go to an existing conversation.
2. Tap .
3. Tap , then select Animoji*  , Filters , Text , Shapes , or an iMessage app. You can add more than one effect to a photo or video.
4. After you select the effect that you want to use, tap  in bottom-right corner, then tap .
5. Tap  to send or tap Done to add a personal message before you send your photo. If you don't want to send the photo, tap  in the upper-right corner of the photo.

* You need an iPhone X or later to use Animoji and Memoji.

With Tapback, you can quickly reply to messages with expressions, like a thumbs up or a heart. To reply to a message with a Tapback, follow these steps:

1. Open a conversation in Messages.
2. Double-tap the message bubble or photo that you want to respond to.
3. Select the Tapback that you want to send.

You can also use Tapback in group messages. To see who replied with a Tapback, tap it.

You can personalize your messages by adding a note in your own handwriting. Your friends and family will see the message animate, as if it were being written in front of them. To send a handwritten note, follow these steps:

1. Open Messages and tap  to start a new message. Or go to an existing conversation.
2. If you have an iPhone, turn it sideways. If you have an iPad, tap  on the keyboard.
3. Write your message or select one of the options at the bottom of the screen.
4. If you need to start over, tap Undo or Clear. When you're finished, tap Done. Then tap  to send.

• Learn how to use Animoji and Memoji to mirror your expressions through messages.
• Learn how to use Digital Touch to send sketches, taps, and even a heartbeat.
• Use iMessage apps to create and share content, share a song, add stickers to photos, and more.
• If you have Reduce Motion on, you can't receive message effects.