Secret iPhone codes unlock cool effects in iMessage – how to use them

YOU can add colourful animations to your iPhone texts using secret codes that few people know about.

All you need to do is send someone a special trigger word over iMessage to activate each effect – including a laser light show.

TikTokA TikToker has showcased fun animations that you can trigger on iMessage[/caption]

The feature has been available on iPhone for some time, but was explained in a recent TikTok video posted by user @unespc.

Alongside the laser effect, you can also make balloons float up from the bottom of your mate’s screen on their birthday.

When January rolls around, fireworks will burst across the message if you wish someone “happy new year”.

We’ve put together a list of the best effects below.

How to send an iMessage screen effect

To send a fun animation to someone, simply type one of the codewords below into iMessage.

The recipient must have an iPhone for the effect to show.

If you’d rather not use a codeword, you can always hold down on the blue send button after typing out a message.

This will present you with a list of effects you can add to any message of your choosing. Tap Screen at the top of your display to get a preview of each one.

iMessage screen effect codewords

‘Pew pew’ – laser light show‘Happy birthday’ – balloons‘Congratulations’ – confetti‘Happy New Year’ – fireworks‘Happy Chinese New Year’ – red explosion‘Selamat’ – confetti

Other iMessage screen effects

After you’ve typed out a message, you can tap and hold the blue send button to attach any of the following.

Eco – Fills the screen with message bubblesSpotlight – Puts a spotlight on your messageBalloons – Balloons rise up from the bottom of your screenConfetti – Confetti rains downLove – Large heart bulges from your messageLasers – Laser light showFireworks – Fireworks explode on your screenShooting star –  A shooting star fires across the screenCelebration – A red firework show appears

TikTokYou can add the effects to any text sent over iMessage[/caption]

In other news, Apple has announced that it will let customers fix their own iPhones for the first time starting next year.

The UK is fighting an epidemic of hack attacks targeting consumers and businesses, according to officials.

NASA has slammed Russia after a missile it fired into one of its own satellites forced the space station to perform an emergency swerve.

And, a 75-year-old Brit has told of his anger after scammers on WhatsApp fooled him into sending them hundreds of pounds.

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