
Forget iOS 26 hype iOS 18 still packs a punch! Unleash the hidden animator within and transform your texts into dazzling displays. Ever wanted your emojis to dance? Texts to explode with feeling? Dive into the Messages app and discover how to breathe life into your chats. It’s time to level up your texting game,right now.
Good to know : if your iPhone has a Dynamic Island, here’s how you can hide it from view.
Add Simple Animations to Text in Messages on iPhone
Unleash hidden text magic in your Messages app! But first, are you running iOS 18 (or later) on your iPhone or iPad? Dive intoSettings >General >Aboutto reveal your iOS version and unlock a world of simple, stunning text effects.
(Psst! Ever started an iOS update then regretted it? There’s a way to stop it midstream…)
Next, go ahead and open the Messages app and go to an existing thread. Or start a new one.
Type your text and press the effects button (A) that appears in the suggestion bar underneath.

Alternatively, double tap on a word to select it or the entire message and find theText Effectsoption.

Want to add a little zing to your design? A simple menu pops up, offering a playground of effects like Ripple, Jitter, and Shake. Dive in and experiment! Click each one and watch the magic happen.

Imagine words dancing to different beats. You can orchestrate a symphony of animations on a single phrase – a word shimmering with light while its neighbor bursts into vibrant color.

But the real magic? Slap these effects onto your favorite emojis and stickers! And iPhone users, rejoice! Emoji Kitchen isn’t just for Android anymore. Ready to get cooking?

Spice up your text! Instantly add emphasis with bold, a touch of flair with italics, steadfast underlines, or even dramatically strike through words all from the same menu.
Sent a text and wish you’d added some flair? Good news! You can still spice things up with animations… as long as it’s a recent message. Older texts are unfortunately frozen in time.
Long press on the message and selectEditin the drop-down menu.

Spark your messages with life! Hit the effects icon, unleash your inner animator, and then seal the deal with a tap on the right-hand tick. Boom! New message, leveled up.

Tip : here’s how you can extract and copy text from an image on iPhone.
Use Text Effects for Messages on iPhone
If you want to make your messages stand out even more, try adding these additional text effects.
Craft your message, then hold your horses! Instead of a quick tap,lingeron the Send button. Prepare for a hidden menu of expressive possibilities!

Want to add a touch of mystery to your messages? Dive into the effects panel on the right! Ever dreamt of sending invisible ink? Blur your text into secrecy with just a tap. Pick your perfect effect, then launch your personalized message into the chat stream with a tap on the little blue arrow.

Want to jazz up your texts? These effects only style your message bubble. For fullblown screen animations, tap “Screen” at the top and unleash total visual chaos!

Ready to send your messages soaring? Dive into full-screen effects! Swipe right and unlock dazzling animations like Spotlight, Balloons, and Confetti that explode across the entire screen. Amp up the fun with your favorite emoji and stickers – just like the classic effects. Once you’ve crafted the perfect visual message, launch it into the digital stratosphere with a tap on the tiny blue arrow. Get ready to wow!

The effect is a one-time spectacle, triggered the very first time you lay eyes on the message. Missed it? No problem. A discreet button hides beneath, ready to conjure an encore performance.

Trigger Reactions in Messages on iPhone
Unleash a confetti storm! Type “Happy Birthday” in Messages and watch a cascade of celebratory balloons erupt across your screen. Forget digging through menus these secret word triggers unlock full-screen effects instantly, adding a burst of fun to your texts.

Other phrases that trigger reactions include:
- Congratulations– drops confetti
- Pew pew– launches a laser light show
- Happy New Year– launches fireworks/firecrackers
FYI : learn how to turn off Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone, if you find it annoying.
Disable Animation Effects for Messages on iPhone
If you find these effects too disruptive, you can disable them too.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and navigate toAccessibility ->Motion.

Turn on theReduce Motionoption at the top. On the same screen, turn off theAuto-Play Message Effectstoggle.
Level Up Your iPhone Game: Ditch the Drudgery, Embrace Text Shortcuts!
Think you’ve conquered iPhone messaging with flashy text animations? Think again! Real power lies in lightning-fast communication. Discover how to create custom text shortcuts and unleash the true potential of your iPhone’s keyboard. Stop typing, start saving time, and become a texting ninja today!
Thanks for reading How to Animate Text and Emoji in Messages on iPhone