How to Send iMessage Screen Effects from iPhone & iPad

Do you want to express yourself with more than just emojis when you’re messaging and texting your friends and family from iPhone or iPad? With iMessage, you can use various fun screen effects like balloons, confetti, fireworks, lasers, shouting, and more, when you send messages from your iPhone and iPad.

Apple iMessage service is a major feature of the Messages app and Apple ecosystem, it’s extremely popular as a way to freely text message other iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch users. Over the years, Apple has tweaked and added new features to the Messages app, and the full screen animations and screen effects are another example of some new fun breathed into the messaging client.

If you’re not a heavy iMessage user, you might not be aware of this feature, or perhaps you don’t know how to access the iMessage effects on your device. In this article, we’ll cover how you can use and send iMessage screen effects from an iPhone or iPad to other iOS and ipadOS device users.

How to Send iMessage Screen Effects from iPhone & iPad

Screen effects will only work if the recipient is also an iMessage user. If you’re adding effects to a regular SMS, you’ll be able to see it within the Messages app, but the recipient will just receive a text and they won’t get the screen special effects. Sound good? OK, then let’s review the process:

1. Open the default “Messages” app on your iPhone or iPad.

   

2. Open a conversation with an iMessage user and type something in the text box. Now, long-press on the “arrow” icon for more options.
   
   
3. You’re in the effects menu. Tap on the “Screen” option to access full-screen effects.
   
   
4. As you can see here, there are a bunch of different effects you can use. You have a total of 9 screen effects to choose from, including echo, balloons, confetti, fireworks, spotlight, celebration, etc. Simply swipe left to access all of them.
   
   
5. Once you’ve selected a desired screen effect, long-press on the “arrow” icon as shown in the screenshot below.
   
   
6. This will send the text to the recipient. Once the message gets delivered, the effect will fill up your screen. On the receiver’s end, the screen effect will appear as they open and read the message.
   
   
7. If you want to play the effect again at a later time, tap on the “Replay” option located right below the text.
   
   

That’s pretty much all you need to do for sending screen effects with your iMessages from an iPhone or iPad.

If you change your mind and want to exit the effects menu at any time, simply tap on the “x” icon to cancel the screen effect before it applies to the message.

You can also send screen effects without even having to enter the effects menu, because iMessage checks for certain keywords and phrases to trigger the screen effects automatically. For example, you could send someone a “happy birthday” message for the balloon effect. Or you could congratulate someone for the confetti effect.

By default, the Messages app automatically plays these screen effects when you receive them, with both the animation and the accompanying sound effects. However, if it’s not functioning properly for you, you can review some troubleshooting tips for when iMessage effects are not working and check your device settings to ensure auto-playing of Message effects are turned on.

Apart from screen effects, iMessage is also capable of sending bubble effects. Each text message you send within iMessage is considered as a bubble and you can add effects to it. One of the various effects allow you to send invisible ink messages to other iMessage users. You can send handwritten messages for adding a personal touch too.

Enjoy the various full-screen effects that iMessage has to offer, they’re a lot of fun. Do you have a favorite screen effect? What other iMessage features do you use to express yourself while messaging and texting your friends, family, and colleagues? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments!