• Global Nav Open MenuGlobal Nav Close Menu
  • Apple
Search Support
Cancel
  • Apple
  • Mac
  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Watch
  • Music
  • Support
  • Where to Buy
iPhone User Guide
Open MenuClose Menu
  • Communities
  • Contact Support
iOS 13
iOS 12
Table of Contents

Send animated effects in Messages on iPhone

In the Messages app , you can animate a single message with a bubble effect or fill the entire message screen with a full-screen effect (for example, balloons or confetti). You can even send a personal message with invisible ink that remains blurred until the recipient swipes to reveal it.

You need iMessage to send and receive message effects. See About iMessage and SMS/MMS.

Send a handwritten message

Use your finger to write a message. The recipient sees the message animate, just as ink flows on paper.

  1. In a conversation, rotate iPhone to landscape orientation.

  2. Tap the Handwriting button on the keyboard.

  3. Write a message with your finger or choose a saved message at the bottom, then tap Done.

  4. Tap the Send button to send your message or the Remove button to cancel.

    The handwriting screen with a handwritten message. Along the bottom, from left to right, are saved messages and the Show Keyboard button.

After you create and send a handwritten message, the message is saved at the bottom of the handwriting screen. To use the saved messages again, tap it. To delete the saved message, touch and hold it until the messages jiggle, then tap the Delete Message button.

Use a bubble effect

Use bubble effects to animate the message bubble.

  1. In a new or existing conversation, type a message or insert a photo or Memoji.

  2. Touch and hold the Send button, then tap the gray dots to preview different bubble effects.

    Tip: Want to send a personal message? When you use invisible ink, the message remains blurred until the recipient swipes to reveal it.

  3. Tap the Send button to send the message or the Remove button to cancel.

    A message preview with the invisible ink effect. Along the right, tap a control to preview other bubble effects. Tap the same control again to send, or tap the Cancel button below to return to your message.

Use a full-screen effect

Use full-screen effects to animate the message screen.

  1. In a new or existing conversation, type a message or insert a photo or Memoji.

  2. Touch and hold the Send button, then tap Screen.

  3. Swipe left to preview different screen effects.

  4. Tap the Send button to send the message or the Remove button to cancel.

    A message preview showing a full-screen effect with a red heart.

Messages automatically uses the following screen effects for specific text strings:

  • Balloons for “Happy birthday”

  • Confetti for “Congratulations”

  • Fireworks for “Happy New Year”

PreviousSend photos, videos, and audioNextUse iMessage apps
Apple
  1. Support
  2. iPhone User Guide
  3. Send animated effects in Messages on iPhone
Kuwait
Copyright © 2019 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use Site Map