How to Use iMessage Effects in macOS Big Sur

Jun. 30, 2020

Apple has finally given the long-awaited revamp to the Messages app for Mac with the introduction ofmacOS Big Sur. As expected, the stock messaging app has brought most of the goodies likeMemoji stickersand the super cool screen and bubble effects from its iOS counterpart. If you love using these effects on your iPhone, chances are that you would like to use iMessage effects in macOS Big Sur as well. Let me show you how they work!

How to Use iMessage Effects in macOS Big Sur

When you wish to light up the entire mood of messaging, animated effects come into play. To ensure your armory has got enough variety to express different feelings, the messaging app comes witha range of effects like heart, balloons, confetti, fireworks, slam, lasers, loud, celebration, echo, spark, and spotlight.

Not just that, there is also an invisible link that offers a bit of privacy to your personal message. Save it for the times where you are engaged in some secret messaging with your loved ones. On top of all, the messaging app automatically triggers different effects when you send certain phrases (more about it after the jump). Now that you know what they have got in store, it’s time to get started with steps!

When you type certain phrases like Pew Pew, Congrats, Congratulations, Happy Birthday, and Happy New Year, the Messages app automatically uses the corresponding effects. So, the next time, you want to send a congratulatory message, simply enter these phrases and send them. The app will automatically add the suitable effect to spice up the conversation.

At any time you want to rev up the mood of the message, you can manually choose from a variety of predefined animated effects.

Now, select anexisting conversation or start a newone.
Next, type a nice your message which you want to send to your friend. Then, click on theApp Store iconto the left of the iMessage text field.
Next up, selectMessage Effectson the menu.
Choose the desired effect from plenty of options includingballoons, confetti, fireworks, love,and more depending on the theme of the message or your mood.

Just in case you are willing to send a very special message with a bit of privacy, choose theinvisible link effect. With the invisible ink, your iMessage will remain blurred until the recipient clicks on it to reveal it.

Once you have selected a preferred effect,hit the arrowto send the iMessage with the effect.

As mentioned in the guide above, it’s quite straightforward to send an iMessage with different effects like balloons, lasers, echo, and more. Simply open the conversation -> type a message -> App Store icon -> Message Effects. Now, choose an effect and hit the send button.

No. Apple offers end-to-end encryption to safeguard the iMessage against prying eyes. Knowing how seriously Apple takes care of security and privacy, you shouldn’t worry about the protection of your personal messages.

Being deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, iMessage works seamlessly on Mac as well as other iDevices like iPhone and iPad. Just like other messaging apps in the market, they also use the Internet to deliver messages.

To get started open the Messages app and enter your Apple ID email address. Then, click on the Messages menu -> Preferences -> Accounts tab and then select the phone number and email address at which you’d like to be reached.

Unfortunately, you can’t. However, we expect Apple to bring it on Apple TV sometime in the future.

So, these are the ways you can use iMessage effects to spice up messaging on your Mac. As someone who loves iMessaging to the core, I give a thumbs up to the introduction of animated effects on macOS. They have further enriched iMessaging.

Aside from the Messages app, Safari for macOS has also got some great enhancements like the ability tocustomize the start page and even set a custom background image. Give this nice feature a close look if you haven’t yet tried it out. Besides, be sure to share your thoughts about the Big Sur and what makes it stand out.

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.