iOS 18 Animated Text Effects in Messages

Apple’s iOS 18 update introduces dynamic animated text effects to the Messages app, allowing users to add motion to individual words, phrases, and emojis within an iMessage. Unlike full-screen effects that impact the entire conversation window, these new formatting options animate specific parts of your text to emphasize tone, emotion, and meaning. Below is a breakdown of the eight new animated text formatting options available in iOS 18 and how to apply them.

The 8 Animated Text Effects in iOS 18

iOS 18 includes eight distinct animated effects designed to make your messages more expressive:

  • Big: Expands the selected word outward, making it physically swell in size to convey emphasis or excitement.
  • Small: Shrinks the word down into a miniature scale, ideal for whispering, downplaying a statement, or showing hesitation.
  • Shake: Vigorously rattles the text back and forth, perfect for expressing frustration, cold temperatures, or urgency.
  • Nod: Gently tilts the selected text up and down in a nodding motion, useful for showing agreement or acknowledgment.
  • Explode: Causes the text to burst outward dramatically before reforming, ideal for surprising announcements or high-energy reactions.
  • Ripple: Creates a fluid, wave-like motion across the letters from left to right, providing a relaxed or water-like aesthetic.
  • Bloom: Makes the text brightly expand and brighten outward, resembling flowers opening or a gentle glow of happiness.
  • Jitter: Produces a rapid, nervous vibration across the letters, capturing feelings of anxiety, suspense, or caffeine rushes.

How to Apply Animated Text Effects

Applying dynamic motion to your words in iOS 18 is integrated directly into the typing interface:

  1. Open the Messages app and enter an iMessage conversation.
  2. Type your message into the text field.
  3. Double-tap or highlight the specific word or phrase you wish to animate.
  4. In the contextual menu that appears above the text, tap the right arrow and select Text Effects (or tap the "A" icon above the keyboard).
  5. Swipe through the bottom tray to preview the animated options and tap on your preferred effect.
  6. Tap the Send arrow to send your message with the dynamic animation looping for the recipient.

Additionally, iOS 18 uses predictive intelligence to automatically highlight words that match certain effects—such as "congratulations," "yes," or "no"—allowing you to tap the suggested animation with a single touch.