August 3, 2022, 2:28 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

With Apple’s iMessage service, you can enhance sent messages even further. Among other things, it’s possible to send a text that is only readable when tapped. This feature is called “invisible ink.” TECHBOOK shows how you can use this and other special effects in the iPhone messenger.

Using iMessage with Special Effects

To use the tool, you don’t need much—just an iPhone with at least iOS 10. To apply effects like invisible ink and others, follow these steps:

1. Open the messaging service iMessage via the green and white speech bubble. Then select the chat history where you want to send the message.
2. Compose the text you want to send.
3. Before sending the message normally, press and hold the “Send” button until the menu with special effects opens. On an iPhone with 3D Touch (iPhone 6s and newer), you’ll also feel haptic feedback.
4. Select the desired effect.
5. Press the “Send” button as usual.

The message will then be sent within the chat with the corresponding effect. In the case of invisible ink, the recipient must tap the text to read it. After a few seconds, the message disappears again.

Here’s a step-by-step guide with video:

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More Effects in iMessage

Besides the mentioned invisible ink, you can use other effects with your iPhone in iMessage. The procedure is the same, except you select a different effect in the special effects menu.

Sending a message “with impact” means exactly that. The text slams into the field once, including haptic feedback. With the “prominent” option, the text shakes once large on the screen before it’s normally readable, allowing you to emphasize the importance of a message. If you choose “subtle,” the message shrinks once before becoming readable again.

Other effects are hidden in the same special effects menu in iMessage under “Background,” the selection option next to “Bubble.” “Send with Echo” means the word flickers across the display multiple times. “Spotlight” highlights a word with a light effect, while “Balloons” sends colorful balloons flying across the screen. There are also effects like “Confetti,” “Heart,” “Lasers,” “Fireworks,” and “Shooting Star.” Once the effect has run its course, you can reactivate it anytime using the repeat icon under the text message.

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Effects Also Work on Images and Emojis

The mentioned special effects, like the iPhone invisible ink, can also be applied to images and emojis on the Apple smartphone. In the case of the ink, an empty image with animated glitter rain appears in the chat.

The effect is even more impressive in this case, as the recipient must rub their finger over the entire image to see it. The message preview also indicates that something was “sent with invisible ink.” This is not the case with the other effects.