People are just noticing three iMessage hacks that all iPhone owners should know about

USING iMessage without knowing its best secrets is a big mistake.

We have selected three of the most interesting iMessage tricks that all iPhone owners should know.

1

Hidden Effects

After typing a message, you can tap and hold the blue Send button to attach the following.

• Eco – Fills the screen with message bubbles
• Spotlight – Puts your message in the spotlight
• Balloons – Balloons rise from the bottom of the screen
• Confetti – It’s raining confetti
• Love – Big heart bulges out from your message
• Laser – Laser light show
• Fireworks – Fireworks will explode on your screen
• Shooting Star – A shooting star shoots across the screen
• Celebration – A red firework appears

Remember: none of these effects will appear unless the recipient also has an iPhone.

And these effects are limited to iMessage only — so they don’t work on WhatsApp, Signal, or Facebook Messenger.

Secret code words

iMessage has many advantages, but a little-known advantage is the choice of secret effect codes.

Apple hid them as Easter eggs, but they’re a really cool iPhone hack that you should definitely try.

For example, try opening an iMessage chat and typing “Pew Pew.”

You will notice that the screen is filled with lasers – both for you and for the recipient.

There are some other app codes that you can try as well.

It rains confetti while sending the message “Congratulations”.

And the same works if you write “Congratulations” in another language as well.

When you type “Happy Birthday”, balloons will float across the screen.

Submit and edit

A hidden iMessage menu allows you to edit texts or undo sending.

So you can instantly correct a typo, an accidental message, or a text you regret.

It was added in the iOS 16 Software update for iPhone available on millions of phones.

You can get it by going to Settings > General > Software update.

Not all iMessages can be optimized or deleted: there is a time limit.

You only have 15 minutes to make changes to a text before the option expires.

Just press and hold the message to bring up a hidden menu that lets you edit it.

Recipients are notified when a text has been edited.

However, it’s not possible to see exactly what changes were made – unless you’ve seen the message before and remembered what it said.

You can also retract an iMessage on iOS 16 within the first 15 minutes by pressing and holding the text.

But don’t think you can do this quietly.

Just like WhatsApp, if a text has “not been sent,” a note will appear for both the sender and the recipient.

This prevents any confusion once text has disappeared.

The best tips and hacks for phones and gadgets

Looking for tips and hacks for your phone? Want to find these secret features in social media apps? We’ve got you covered…

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