How to Format Text in iMessage on iOS 18

With the release of iOS 18, Apple added native rich text formatting directly to the Messages app, allowing users to emphasize their messages without relying on third-party keyboards or workarounds. This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough on how to apply bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough styling to your words and phrases before sending an iMessage.

How to Apply Text Formatting

Formatting text in iMessage requires just a few taps using the updated text selection menu or the dedicated formatting interface.

  1. Open Messages: Launch the Messages app on your iPhone running iOS 18 and open any conversation.
  2. Type Your Text: Enter your message into the text composition field.
  3. Select the Text: Double-tap a specific word, or tap and drag the selection pins to highlight a phrase or the entire message.
  4. Open the Formatting Menu: In the contextual popup menu that appears above the highlighted text, tap the right arrow and select Text Effects (represented by an "A" icon with motion lines). Alternatively, tap the A icon located in the predictive text bar above the keyboard.
  5. Select Your Style: A tray of formatting options will appear. Tap your preferred style:
    • Bold (B)
    • Italic (I)
    • Underline (U)
    • Strikethrough (S)
  6. Send Your Message: Tap outside the formatting tray to return to your message, verify the appearance, and tap the blue Send arrow.

Combining Styles and Additional Options

  • Multiple Styles: You can apply more than one format to the same text. For example, selecting both Bold and Italic will create bold-italicized text.
  • Removing Formatting: To remove a style, highlight the formatted text, open the Text Effects menu, and tap the active style icon to deselect it.
  • Dynamic Text Effects: In addition to standard formatting, the same menu includes animated text effects (such as Shake, Nod, Explode, and Ripple) that animate individual words dynamically.