Apple's Messages App Has Some Cool New Text Editing Features and Effects for iMessage — Here's How It All Works

Apple's iMessage now boasts enhanced text formatting! While previous methods like third-party keyboards or workarounds offered limited options, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia introduce built-in formatting for iMessage (SMS/MMS/RCS messages are excluded).

Older techniques, such as utilizing subject lines for bold text or copying formatted text from external sources, remain viable, particularly for non-iMessage users.

Formatting Text on iOS/iPadOS:

With Predictive Text enabled, a "Text Effects (A)" button appears above the keyboard. Tap to select bold, italic, underline, or strikethrough. This formatting applies to subsequent text input. Alternatively, highlight existing text and tap the button to modify its formatting.

A contextual menu (accessed by tapping an empty space in the text field) also provides "Text Effects" for applying formatting to future text or selected text.

Subject lines still bold text, but other formatting isn't supported within the subject line itself.

Note: Bubble and screen effects function alongside text formatting.

Animated Text Effects on iOS/iPadOS:

The "Text Effects (A)" button also accesses animated effects: Big, Small, Shake, Nod, Explode, Ripple, Bloom, and Jitter. Multiple effects can be used within a single message, but only one per text selection. Predictive text may suggest effects based on your typed words (e.g., "big").

Multiple formatting options and effects can be combined within a single message, but not on the same text selection.

Bubble and screen effects remain compatible.

Formatting and Effects on macOS:

macOS offers identical features, accessible via right-click/control-click, the "Format" menu bar option, or keyboard shortcuts:

<code>Bold            Command-B
Italic          Command-I
Underline       Command-U
Strikethrough   Command-S

Big             Option-Command-1
Small           Option-Command-2
Shake           Option-Command-3
Nod             Option-Command-4
Explode         Option-Command-5
Ripple          Option-Command-6
Bloom           Option-Command-7
Jitter          Option-Command-8</code>

Bubble and screen effects also work seamlessly.

Troubleshooting:

• Missing "Text Effects (A)" button? Check for software updates, Predictive Text enablement (Settings » General » Keyboard on iOS/iPadOS), and ensure you're using iMessage.
• Unable to combine text effects and formatting on the same text? This is by design; only the last applied option takes effect.
• Missing subject line? Enable it in Settings » Apps » Messages » Show Subject Field (iOS/iPadOS only).
• Formatting/effects not visible on other devices? Requires iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS 15 or later.

Cover photo, screenshots, and GIFs by Justin Meyers/Gadget Hacks

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