Apple's iPhones offer the ability to add special effects to iMessages. This fun functionality allows you to make your messages more impactful with animated text, confetti, balloons, love hearts, and even fireworks. Some of these special effects are automatically generated if you use certain words and phrases in the body of the message, but there are others you can select to use before you hit the send button. We're taking a look at all the options available to you.
Special effects can't be added to every message you send from the iPhone's Messages app, only the iMessages. iMessages (which show on screen in blue text bubbles) are the messages you can send to other people who have iPhones.
Credit: Screengrab: AppleYou can't add effects to standard SMS texts, which show up on your screen as green text bubbles.
If you tell someone "Congratulations" in an iMessage, they will get a shower of colorful confetti. A "Happy New Year" greeting generates fireworks. "Happy Chinese New Year!" will show a glamorous display of gold, glittery confetti.
Credit: Screengrab: AppleIf you wish someone "Happy Birthday" they will see balloons floating up their iPhone screen.
There is also a secret Easter egg text string: "Pew Pew" triggers a cool laser show.
Adding special effects to iMessages is actually a simple process, but it's not immediately obvious.
Total TimeStep 1:Open the Messages app.
Step 2:Type your text.
Step 3:"Long press" — press and hold for a second or so — on the blue arrow that you usually tap to send a message.
This brings up your special effect options.
These are divided into two categories: bubble and screen effects. Bubble effects only affect the blue text bubble, while screen effects take up the whole screen.
There are four bubble special effects you can choose to use. You can preview each one in the Messages app, but these are your options.
Slam:Hard to capture in a screengrab, but this makes your text "slam" down onto the screen.
Loud:Makes the text super-sized before returning to its normal size.
Credit: Screengrab: Apple
Credit: Screengrab: AppleGentle:Makes the text super-small before returning to its normal size.
Invisible Ink:Makes the text blurry until the recipient taps on it.
Credit: Screengrab: Apple
Credit: Screengrab: AppleSEE ALSO:Best cheap headphones, according to online reviewsThere are eight screen special effects you can choose to use. You can preview each one in the Messages app, but these are your options.
Echo:Displays multiple, moving text bubbles of your message.
Spotlight:Highlights the text bubble with a temporary spotlight.
Credit: Screengrab: Apple
Credit: Screengrab: AppleBalloons:A bunch of multicolored balloons float up the screen.
Confetti:Throws a big burst of colorful confetti.
Credit: Screengrab: Apple
Credit: Screengrab: AppleLove:Creates a big, red heart.
Lasers:Creates a wicked laser show.
Credit: Screengrab: Apple
Credit: Screengrab: AppleFireworks:Makes your screen dark and does a mini fireworks display complete with haptic feedback.
Celebration:Makes your screen dark and throws gold confetti.
Credit: Screengrab: Apple
Credit: Screengrab: Apple(责任编辑：焦點)
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