If you own an iPhone, that little green icon with the white speech bubble is likely the most used app on your home screen. For millions of us, iMessage is the default way we stay in touch with family, coordinate with friends, and send photos of our pets. But despite using it dozens of times a day, most people treat iMessage like a simple SMS texting tool from 2010.
Apple has packed its messaging platform with powerful features, playful effects, and productivity tools that often go unnoticed because they are tucked away behind long presses or hidden menus. Whether you want to save yourself from an embarrassing typo, keep a chaotic group chat organized, or simply make your birthday wishes explode with fireworks, there is a trick for that.
Ready to move beyond basic text and emojis? Let’s dive into the hidden features that will turn you into an iMessage power user.
1. Master the Art of "Loud" and "Quiet" Messages
Sometimes, plain text just doesn't convey the right emotion. You might want to whisper a secret, shout a celebration, or add a dramatic pause to a punchline. iMessage allows you to change the physical behavior of the message bubble itself to match your tone.
These are called "Bubble Effects" and "Screen Effects," and they are surprisingly easy to use once you know where to look.
How to use Bubble Effects:
- Type your message as usual.
- Instead of tapping the blue "Send" arrow immediately, tap and hold it down.
- A menu will appear with four options: Slam, Loud, Gentle, and Invisible Ink.
- Tap the gray dot next to each option to preview it.
- Invisible Ink is a crowd favorite—it obscures the text with a shimmering blur. The recipient has to swipe over the message to reveal the secret text.
Pro Tip: Want to take over the whole screen? When you are in the effects menu, tap the "Screen" tab at the top. You can swipe left to choose full-screen animations like balloons, confetti, lasers, or fireworks. It’s the perfect way to say "Happy New Year" or "Congratulations."
2. The "Oops" Button: Editing and Unsending Messages
We have all been there. You hit send, and immediately realize you made an embarrassing typo. Or worse, you sent a message meant for your partner to your boss. For years, once that blue bubble flew away, your fate was sealed. Thankfully, modern versions of iOS have introduced a grace period that allows you to fix your mistakes.
However, there are specific rules and time limits you need to be aware of to make this work effectively.
How to Edit a Sent Message:
- You have 15 minutes after sending a message to edit it.
- Tap and hold the message bubble you want to change.
- Select Edit from the pop-up menu.
- Fix your typo and tap the blue checkmark.
How to Unsend a Message:
- If you want to pull the message back entirely, you have to act faster. You only have 2 minutes to unsend.
- Tap and hold the message bubble.
- Select Undo Send.
- The message will disappear in a puff of smoke, replaced by a small note saying you unsent a message.
Important Warning: This magic only works perfectly if the person you are messaging is also on a recent version of iOS (iOS 16 or later). If they are using an old iPhone or haven't updated their software in years, they may still see the original message.
3. Tame the Chaos of Group Chats
Group chats are a blessing and a curse. They are great for planning a dinner party, but terrible when three different conversations happen at once. If you have ever stepped away from your phone for an hour and returned to 45 missed notifications, you know the struggle.
To keep your sanity, you need to use Inline Replies and Mentions. These features help you create "threads" within the main chat, ensuring everyone knows exactly who you are talking to.
How to use Inline Replies:
Instead of typing a generic "Yes" at the bottom of the chat (which might confuse people if the topic has changed), try this:
- Double-tap (or tap and hold) the specific message you want to answer.
- Tap Reply.
- Type your response. This creates a visual thread connecting your answer to that specific comment.
How to use Mentions:
If you need to get the attention of one specific person in a noisy group, simply type their name. When their name turns gray, tap it and select their contact bubble. This will "ping" them specifically, even if they have the group conversation muted. It’s the polite way to say, "Hey, I need an answer from you specifically."
4. Turn Photos into Custom Stickers instantly
Stickers have been around for a while, but Apple recently supercharged them with a feature called "Visual Look Up." You no longer need to download third-party sticker packs to be funny. You can turn your dog, your best friend's face, or a plate of tacos into a high-quality sticker in seconds.
This feature feels like magic the first time you use it because it automatically separates the subject of a photo from the background with incredible precision.
How to create custom stickers:
- Open your Photos app and find a picture with a clear subject (like a pet or person).
- Tap and hold directly on the subject. You will see a glowing line trace around the edge of the object.
- A menu will pop up. Tap Add to Stickers.
- Your iPhone will drop this new sticker into your sticker drawer, accessible right from the iMessage keyboard.
- You can even add effects like a white outline, a comic book look, or a shiny "puffy sticker" 3D effect.
Once created, you can drag and drop these stickers onto any message bubble in your chat history to react to friends with your own custom images.
5. Safety First: Using "Check In" for Peace of Mind
While the other tips are about fun and convenience, this one is about safety. Apple recently introduced a feature called Check In, designed to let loved ones know you have arrived safely at your destination without you having to remember to text them.
This is incredibly useful for late-night commutes, walking home from a bar, or driving long distances. It automates the "Text me when you get home" social contract.
How to set up Check In:
- Tap the plus (+) button to the left of the text input field.
- Swipe up or tap "More" to find Check In.
- Follow the prompts to set your destination or a timer (e.g., "Check on me in 1 hour").
If you stop moving or don't reach your destination by the expected time, your iPhone will prompt you. If you don't respond, it will automatically alert your chosen contact and share helpful information like your location, battery percentage, and cell service status. It provides peace of mind for both you and your family.
Privacy Note: All Check In data is end-to-end encrypted. This means only you and the person you are sharing with can see the information; not even Apple has access to your location data during a Check In.
iMessage is capable of so much more than just sending words. By utilizing these hidden tricks, you can make your conversations more organized, more secure, and infinitely more fun. So go ahead—send that invisible ink message or create a sticker of your cat. Your blue bubbles will never be boring again.