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Animate messages on iPhone

In the Messages app , you can animate a single message with a bubble effect or fill the entire conversation with a full-screen effect (for example, balloons or confetti). You can send Digital Touch messages, and, on supported models, you can send animated Memoji messages that record your voice and mirror your facial expressions.

You need iMessage to send and receive message effects.

A Messages conversation with bubble and full-screen effects, as well as animations: Digital Touch and a handwritten message.

Animate the message bubble

Use effects to animate the message bubble: you can send a message with Slam or Loud so that it appears to pop out, or use Gentle so it arrives softly. You can even send a personal message with Invisible Ink that remains blurred until the recipient swipes to reveal it.

  1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.

  2. In a new or existing conversation, type a message or insert an image or link.

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

  4. Tap the Send With Effect button to send the message with the effect or the Cancel Effect button to cancel the effect and return to your message.

Animate effects over the full screen

You can send messages with full-screen effects—such as lively lasers, a moving spotlight, or echoing bubbles—that play when your recipient gets your message.

  1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.

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

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

  4. Swipe left to preview different screen effects.

  5. Tap the Send With Effect button to send the message or the Close button to cancel the effect and return to your message.

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

  • Balloons for “Happy birthday”

  • Confetti for “Congratulations”

  • Fireworks for “Happy New Year”

Send animated Memoji or Memoji recordings

On supported models, you can send Memoji messages that record your voice and mirror your facial expressions.

  1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.

  2. Start a new message or open a conversation, tap the Apps button, tap Memoji, then swipe and tap to choose a Memoji.

  3. Tap the Record button to record your facial expressions and voice, then tap the Recording button to stop.

    Tap Replay to review your message.

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

You can also take a photo or video of yourself as a Memoji, decorate it with stickers, then send it. Or you can become a Memoji in a FaceTime conversation.

Send a Digital Touch effect

With Digital Touch, you can send animated sketches, taps, kisses, heartbeats, and more, on their own or as an effect on a photo or video.

  1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.

  2. Tap the Apps button, swipe up or tap More, then tap Digital Touch.

  3. Do one of the following:

    • Send an animated gesture: Tap or touch and hold with one or two fingers. Your gesture is sent automatically when you finish it.

      Touch and hold the color dot to choose a color for the one-finger taps.

      Note: If you have Apple Watch or another sensor that records heartbeat data, Messages may use the recorded data when you touch and hold with two fingers to send a heartbeat.

    • Send an animated drawing: Draw with one finger.

      You can change the color, then start drawing again.

    • Add an effect to a new image: Tap the Camera button, then tap the Take Picture button to take a photo or the Record Video button to record a video.

      To take a new photo or video, or to erase anything you draw on your preview, tap the Back to Preview button.

  4. Tap the Send button to send your drawing or image, or tap the Close button to delete it.

To send an animated doodle on a white background, see Send a handwritten message or doodle.

Send a handwritten message or doodle

Use your finger to write a message or draw a doodle. Recipients see what you wrote or drew, re-created before their eyes.

  1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.

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

  3. Tap the Handwriting key on the keyboard.

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

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

    The canvas for composing a handwritten message. Along the bottom, from left to right, are saved handwritten items and the 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 message again, tap it. To delete the saved message, touch and hold it until the messages jiggle, then tap the Delete button.

To send a doodle on a black background, see Send a Digital Touch effect.

See alsoSend and reply to messages on iPhoneSend stickers in Messages on iPhoneTake and edit photos or videos in Messages on iPhoneUse iMessage apps in Messages on iPhone
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