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.
Send a message with effects
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.
Add a bubble effect
You can use bubble effects to animate your message bubbles with different expressions. To send a message with a bubble effect, follow these steps:
- Open Messages and tap
to start a new message. Or go to an existing conversation.
- Enter your message or insert a photo, then touch and hold
.
- Tap
to preview bubble effects.
- Tap
to send.
To replay a message effect that you receive, tap under the message. If you can't receive bubble effects, check your Reduce Motion settings.
Add a full-screen effect
With full-screen effects, you can animate your screen with an echo, spotlight, and other effects. Follow these steps:
- Open Messages and tap
to start a new message. Or go to an existing conversation.
- Enter your message.
- Touch and hold
, then tap Screen.
- Swipe to the left to see full-screen effects.
- Tap
to send.
To replay a message effect that you receive, tap the under the message. If you can't receive full-screen effects, check your Reduce Motion settings.
Send a message with Camera Effects
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:
- Open Messages and tap
to create a new message. Or go to an existing conversation.
- Tap
.
- Tap
, then select Animoji*
, Filters
, Text
, Shapes
, or an iMessage app. You can add more than one effect to a photo or video. - After you select the effect that you want to use, tap
in bottom-right corner, then tap
.
- 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.
Respond to a message with expressions
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:
- Open a conversation in Messages.
- Double-tap the message bubble or photo that you want to respond to.
- 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.
Send a handwritten message
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:
- Open Messages and tap
to start a new message. Or go to an existing conversation.
- If you have an iPhone, turn it sideways. If you have an iPad, tap
on the keyboard.
- Write your message or select one of the options at the bottom of the screen.
- If you need to start over, tap Undo or Clear. When you're finished, tap Done. Then tap
to send.
Do more with Messages
- 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.