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Apple's iOS 18 software update brings a slew of new features, including to the Messages app. The addition of cool new text effects gives iPhone owners new ways to communicate, and they're surprisingly easy to use.
Text effects offer the ability to animate words in ways that can help convey a message, whether you want something to explode or hint at your nerves by making a word shake.
There are eight new text effects on offer, and they're available to anyone using iOS 18 or later. Your recipient will also need to be using iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS 15 Sequoia to see the effect, of course, so keep that in mind. This feature also only works with messages sent via iMessage, not SMS or RCS.
How to Use Text Effects in Messages
Adding a new text effect to a word or several words is easy, and you can do it either as you type or after you've composed your entire message — you can always go back and add the effect at the end. Here's how to do it.
- Type your message.
- Double-tap the word or words you want to add the effect to.
- Tap the A icon to the right of the suggestion bar above the keyboard.
- Tap the animated effect you want to add to your selected word.
Instead of the A icon, you can also access this feature by tapping Text Effects in the pop-up that appears when you have selected multiple words. This is the pop-up that includes Copy, for example, and you may need to > the arrow on the right to get to Text Effects.
No matter how you access the list of animated effects, you may feel stuck until you select one. If you change your mind or simply don’t want to use any of the suggested effects, you can tap the words in your message to return to normal typing.
That’s it. If you select an effect, you’ll see a preview of the new animation before you send your message to make sure you’re getting the look you want.
The iOS 18 software update was released in September 2024 and includes new Home screen customization options, a completely redesigned Control Center, and an all-new Photos app. The update also laid the groundwork for iOS 18.1, an additional update that brings Apple's vaunted Intelligence features to iPhone.
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