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

You need iMessage to send message effects. Learn the difference between iMessage and SMS/MMS texts. 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, or use full-screen effects to animate the screen. You can even add a Memoji sticker with bubble effects or full-screen effects.

Add a bubble effect

Add a full-screen effect

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

1. Open Messages and tap the Compose button  to create a new message. Or go to an existing conversation.
2. Tap the Camera button .
3. Tap the Effects button , then select one of the effects, like Memoji*  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 Done.
5. Tap the Send button  or tap Done to add a personal message. If you don't want to send the photo, tap the  icon in the upper-right corner of the photo.

You need a compatible iPhone or iPad to use Memoji.

With Tapback, you can quickly reply to messages with expressions, like a thumbs up or a heart. Here's how:

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 the Compose button  to start a new message. Or go to an existing conversation.
2. If you have an iPhone, turn it sideways and tap  on the keyboard. On an iPad, there's no need to turn it sideways, just 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 the Send button .

• Learn how to use Memoji to mirror your expressions through messages.
• 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.