16 Best iMessage Tips and Tricks for You to Try

With its wide range of features and seamless integration across Apple devices, iMessage has transformed the way we communicate.

But, are you making the most of it? In this article, we’ll reveal 16 of the best iMessage tips and tricks that you might not know.

These techniques will not only improve your messaging experience but also make you a more efficient communicator. So, let’s dive in!

Customization

1. Personalize iMessage with Custom Effects

Adding custom effects to your iMessages can make your conversations more fun and engaging.

To send a message with a screen effect, follow these steps:

Open a conversation in iMessage.
Type your message.
Press and hold the blue send arrow.
Select a screen effect you want to use such as the bubble effect.
Tap the blue send arrow again to send your message with the effect.

For secret effects, simply type the secret code (e.g., “pew pew” for lasers) and send the message. The effect will automatically appear.

Here is a list of some secret code words to try:

Pew pew: Triggers a laser light show effect.
Happy Birthday: Sends balloons floating up the screen.
Congratulations: Sprinkles confetti over the message.
Happy New Year: Sets off fireworks behind the message.
Happy Chinese New Year: Activates a special effect with red and gold fireworks to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Selamat: Also sprinkles confetti over the message.

These code words can be typed in the text input field and sent as a message to unlock the corresponding secret effects in your iMessage conversation.

Keep in mind that additional code words might be introduced over time.

2. Customize Your Memoji

Creating a personalized Memoji adds a unique and entertaining element to your conversations. To make your own Memoji, follow these instructions:

Open the iMessage app.
Start a new message or select an existing conversation.
Tap the Memoji icon (a monkey face) in the app drawer.
Select the + button to create a new Memoji.
Customize your Memoji’s appearance by choosing different hairstyles, skin tones, and accessories.
Save your Memoji, and use it as stickers or animoji in your iMessage conversations.

Text Features

3. Use Tapback Reactions

Tapback reactions are a quick way to respond to messages without typing a reply. To send a Tapback reaction, follow these steps:

Open a conversation in iMessage.
Press and hold the message you want to react to.
Select the appropriate reaction from the pop-up menu (e.g., heart, thumbs up, question mark).

4. Send Handwritten Messages

Handwritten messages add a personal touch to your iMessages. To send a handwritten message, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Rotate your phone to landscape mode.
Tap the handwriting icon that appears at the bottom right of the screen.
Write your message using your finger or a stylus.
Tap “Done” and send the handwritten message as an image.

5. Use QuickPath Swipe Typing

QuickPath is a faster and more efficient way to type messages.

To use QuickPath, simply glide your finger from one letter to another on the keyboard, forming words without lifting your finger.

The keyboard will automatically recognize the words as you swipe.

Productivity

6. Pin Important Conversations

Pinning important conversations keeps them at the top of your message list for easy access.

To pin a conversation, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Select the 3 Dot menu in the top right.
Select Edit Pins.
Then choose the yellow pin next to conversation you want to pin.

7. Search Messages in a Conversation

Searching for specific messages or attachments in a conversation can save you time when looking for important information. To search messages within a conversation, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Swipe down slightly to reveal the search bar at the top.
Type your search term in the search bar, and the app will display the relevant messages or attachments.

8. Set Up Individual Read Receipts

Managing read receipts for specific contacts allows you to control who knows when you’ve read their messages.

To enable read receipts for a particular contact, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Select a conversation with the contact you want to manage.
Tap the contact’s name at the top of the screen.
Toggle on Send Read Receipts for that specific contact.

9. Use iMessage Apps and Extensions

iMessage apps and extensions add extra functionality to your messaging experience. To use iMessage apps, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Start a new message or select an existing conversation.
Tap the App Store icon in the app drawer.
Browse and install iMessage-compatible apps or extensions.
Use the installed apps or extensions directly within iMessage.

Multimedia and Sharing

10. Share Your Location

Sharing your location with friends and family can be useful in various situations. To share your location via iMessage, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Select a conversation with the person you want to share your location with.
Tap the contact’s name at the top of the screen.
Select Send My Current Location to share your location instantly or Share My Location to share it for a specific duration.

11. Send Voice Messages

Voice messages can convey more emotion than text and are convenient when typing is not an option. To send a voice message in iMessage, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Select a conversation.
Press and hold the microphone icon beside the text input field.
Record your voice message.
Release the microphone icon and tap the blue send arrow to send your voice message.

12. Share Photos and Videos with Effects

Adding effects to photos and videos makes your multimedia messages more engaging. To send a photo or video with effects in iMessage, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Select a conversation.
Tap the camera icon beside the text input field.
Capture a photo or video, or select one from your gallery.
Tap the Effects button to add filters, text, or drawings to your photo or video.
Send the edited multimedia message.

Group Messaging

13. Use @Mentions in Group Chats

Mentioning specific members in a group chat ensures they receive a notification, even if they’ve muted the conversation. To mention someone in a group chat, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Select the group conversation.
Type @ followed by the contact’s name.
Their name should appear highlighted in blue.
Complete your message and send it.

14. Reply to Specific Messages in Group Chats

Replying to a specific message in a group chat helps keep conversations organized and easy to follow. To reply to a specific message, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Select the group conversation.
Press and hold the message you want to reply to.
Tap Reply in the pop-up menu.
Type your response and send it.

Security and Privacy

15. Block Unwanted Contacts

Blocking unwanted contacts prevents them from sending you messages or calling you. To block a contact in iMessage, follow these steps:

Open the iMessage app.
Select the conversation with the contact you want to block.
Tap the contact’s name at the top of the screen.
Tap the Info icon.
Scroll down and select Block this Caller.

16. Filter Unknown Senders

Filtering unknown senders separates messages from people not in your contact list. To enable this feature, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap Messages.
Toggle on Filter Unknown Senders.
Open the iMessage app, and you’ll see a new Unknown Senders tab for messages from people not in your contacts.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a better understanding of the many features and capabilities of iMessage.

These tips and tricks can help you enhance your messaging experience and make the most of this powerful communication tool.

Don’t be afraid to explore and experiment with these features to find the ones that best suit your needs and preferences.

If you’ve found these tips helpful or have some of your own iMessage tricks to share, please leave a comment below.