To add a Balloons effect to your iMessage, you use the built-in message effects feature available on iPhone and iPad. Balloons is a popular full-screen effect that fills the recipient's screen when they open your message.
The process involves accessing the effects menu after typing your message, similar to how you select other bubble or full-screen effects as described in guides like the Apple Support video clip reference provided.
Steps to Send a Message with the Balloons Effect
Adding the Balloons effect is a simple process within the Messages app:
- Open Messages: Launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Start a New Message or Go to a Conversation: Either start a new message or open an existing conversation.
- Type Your Message: Write the message you want to send in the text field.
- Access Effects Menu: Instead of just tapping the send button (the blue or green arrow), press and hold it. This action brings up the "Send with effect" screen.
- Choose Full Screen: At the top of the screen, you'll see two tabs: "Bubble" and "Screen." Tap on the Screen tab.
- Select Balloons: Swipe from right to left across the screen previews to browse the different full-screen effects. Keep swiping until you find the Balloons effect. You will see a preview of how the effect looks.
- Send the Message: Once the Balloons effect is showing, tap the send button (the arrow) next to your message preview.
Your message will be sent, and the Balloons effect will play automatically on the recipient's device when they view the message, provided they are also using iMessage on a compatible device.
As mentioned in the provided reference, you "swipe to choose a full screen Effect." The Balloons effect is one of these options that you can select by swiping through the available screen effects after accessing the effect menu via the send button. You then "tap the arrow to send it" once the desired effect (Balloons) is selected.
Understanding iMessage Effects
iMessage effects add a layer of personality and emphasis to your conversations. They fall into two main categories:
- Bubble Effects: These affect how your message bubble appears (e.g., Slam, Loud, Gentle, Invisible Ink).
- Screen Effects: These fill the entire screen with an animation behind your message (e.g., Balloons, Confetti, Lasers, Fireworks, Shooting Star, Celebration, Love, Spotlight, Echo).
The Balloons effect falls under the Screen Effects category and is great for celebrating or adding a festive touch.
For the best experience, ensure both you and the recipient are using iMessage (indicated by blue message bubbles) and have "Reduce Motion" disabled in Accessibility settings, as this setting can prevent screen effects from playing.
