How do you send Apple Watch-style Sketches, Heartbeats, and Taps from your iPhone or iPad? Easily, thanks to Digital Touch in iOS 10!

Digital Touch — the ability to send a hand-drawn Sketch, haptic Taps, or sensor-read Heartbeats — was one of the debut features of the Apple Watch. Now, with iOS 10, all those communication features are making their way to the iPhone and iPad as well. Will Digital Touch on the phone and tablet come off as a gimmick, or will it go mainstream? If you're on the developer preview or public beta, you can try it out now and decide for yourself.

• How do you send a Sketch in iMessage?
• How do you send a Heartbeat on iMessage?
• How do you send a Tap on iMessage?
• How do you add Digital Touch on top of a photo or video in iMessage?
• How do you send Handwriting on iMessage?
• Can you receive Digital Touch and Handwriting on your Apple Watch and Mac?

How do you send a Sketch in iMessage?

Sketches on iPhone and iPad work similarly to Apple Watch.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Digital Touch button. (Looks like a heart with touch fingers on it). If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)
3. Tap any of the swatches to change colors.
4. Touch and hold (long press) any of the swatches to reveal the custom color palette.
5. Draw your sketch on the canvas area in the middle.

You can change color as often as you like, and draw as much as you like, but as soon as you stop the Sketch will send.

How do you send a Heartbeat on iMessage?

Though neither the iPhone nor iPad have heart rate sensors like Apple Watch, you can still use them to send Heartbeats.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Digital Touch button. (Looks like a heart with touch fingers on it). If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >.)
3. Touch and hold down (long press) with two fingers on the canvas

You can hold down for a short or longer period of time. When you release, your Heartbeat will be sent.

How do you send a Tap on iMessage?

Taps on the Apple Watch let you subtly communicate with someone, because you know whatever you send will be received right on their wrist. With iOS, there's no such expectation of contact, so Taps take on a subtly different meaning.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Digital Touch button. (Looks like a heart with touch fingers on it). If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >.)
3. Tap the canvas.

You can Tap as little or as often as you like, and in any pattern you like.

How do you add Digital Touch on top of a photo or video in iMessage?

Unique to iPhone and iPad, you can also Sketch, Heartbeat, or Tap on top of a photo or video.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Digital Touch button. (Looks like a heart with touch fingers on it). If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >.)
3. Tap on the Expand Canvas button at the bottom right. (Looks like ^.)
4. Tap on the Camera button at the bottom left.
5. Tap on the Camera Switch button at the bottom right to switch between the rear and selfie camera.
6. Tap on the white Camera Shutter button at the bottom left to take a still photo, or the red Video Shutter button at the bottom middle to start recoding up to 10 seconds of video.
7. Swipe your finger to Sketch, touch and hold two fingers to add a Heartbeat, or Tap with one finger as you would normally.
8. Tap Send at the bottom right. (Looks like an upward arrow)

How do you send Handwriting on iMessage?

While you can write out messages using Sketch in Digital Touch, iOS 10 also has a feature designed specifically for handwritten messages.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Rotate your iPhone to landscape mode to bring up the handwriting canvas.
3. Tap a stock or previously sent handwritten message to send or re-send it immediately, or write out a new message using your finger.
4. Tap Done.
5. Add text, if desired.
6. Tap the Send button. (Looks like a up arrow.)

If you change your mind about sending the handwritten message, you can cancel it by tapping the X button at its top right, or deleting it using the backspace key.

Can you receive Digital Touch and Handwriting on your Apple Watch and Mac?

Absolutely. Digital Touch sent from iOS 10 are received on Apple Watch exactly as if another Apple Watch had sent them. The Mac, though, renders the graphics but not the haptics.

Handwriting also shows up on both.

What do you think about Digital Touch in iOS 10? Will it get you to Sketch, Heartbeat, and Tap more? Let me know!

How do you add stickers, play games, and send cash while you chat? With apps in iMessage for iOS 10!

Apple has opened up iMessage to the App Store. That means, with iOS 10, designers can create sticker packs that you can post send, modify, and stamp on top of other messages. And developers can create apps that let you share content, edit photos, play games, send payments, and collaborate with others, right inside Messages. It's great for users, who get much richer functionality, and for developers, who get a chance to become as viral as the next hot meme. If you're on the developer preview or public beta and want to test them out, here's how!

• How do I access apps in iMessage?
• How do I go full screen for selections?
• How do I browse all installed iMessage apps?
• How do I get more iMessage apps?
• How do I get animated stickers?
• How do I put a sticker on top of another iMessage?
• How do I collaborate with iMessage apps?
• What happens if I'm sent an iMessage from an app I don't have installed?
• Do iMessage apps work on Mac?

How do I access apps in iMessage?

With iMessage apps, the apps are literally inside iMessage.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Apps button. (Looks like the App Store icon.) If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)
3. Swipe to switch between different apps.
4. Tap on a sticker or app action to send it.

How do I go full screen to select?

If the bottom third of the screen isn't enough for you to get your browse on, you can take the stickers or actions full screen.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Apps button. (Looks like the App Store icon.) If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)
3. Swipe to switch between different apps.
4. Tap the Expand button at the bottom right.
5. Tap on a sticker or action you want to use.
6. Tap Send (looks like an upward arrow).

How do I browse all installed iMessage apps?

If swiping between iMessage apps isn't fast enough for you, you can browse them by icon.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Apps button. (Looks like the App Store icon.) If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)
3. Tap on the App Shelf button (looks like four ellipses in a grid).
4. Tap on any sticker pack or app to access it.

How do I get more iMessage apps?

The iMessage App Store is built right into iMessage as well.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Apps button. (Looks like the App Store icon.) If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)
3. Tap on the App Shelf button (looks like four ellipses in a grid).
4. Tap on the App Store button at the top left (looks like a +) to access the iMessage App Store.

How do I get animated stickers?

Whether a sticker pack is animated or not is up to the designer who makes them. Apple lets designers choose between static stickers, made in image programs, or animated stickers, made in Apple's Motion app.

How do I put a sticker on top of another iMessage?

While you can send stickers as messages, you can also slap stickers on top of existing messages.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Apps button. (Looks like the App Store icon.) If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)
3. Swipe to switch to the sticker pack you want to use.
4. Touch and hold on the sticker you want to use.
5. Drag the sticker to the message bubble you want to slap it onto, and position it exactly where you want it.
6. Let go.

How do I collaborate on iMessage apps?

If developers choose to, they can make iMessage apps that let you modify existing messages. For example, adding scoops of ice cream to a cone, or adding your lunch choice to a food order.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the iMessage bubble you want to modify.
3. Make any alteration or addition you want.
4. Tap Send (looks like an upward arrow).

What happens if I'm sent an iMessage from an app I don't have installed?

iMessage apps are meant to spread virally, like memes. If you get sent something from an app you don't have installed, the name of that app will appear in small, subtle writing above the text entry field.

For stickers, you can touch and hold on a sticker you're not familiar with, choose Sticker Details, and get a list of each sticker in a message, who sent it, what app it came from, and a button to view the app.

Do iMessage apps work on Mac?

Yes, though it might depend on the app. Currently, the Apple Music app and Classic sticker packs in the beta show up fine on the Mac.

If you can't see the fancy new bubble effects in iMessage for iOS 10, here's your fix!

Some of the funnest new features coming to iPhone and iPad are the bubble effects in iMessage for iOS 10. With them, you can SLAM down a message or send it softly. You can light the screen with lasers or fill it up with balloons. But what do you do when you try to use it and nothing happens?

The easiest fix is to check your accessibility settings, namely: reduce motion. Bubble effects rely on the very physics engine reduce motion disables. So, if you turn on reduce motion, you turn off bubble effects. It's not obvious, but it's what happens.

Note: If you turned on reduce motion because iOS animations cause vertigo or similar reactions, leave it off. You're not missing any real functionality with bubble effects, only fun. If you turned on reduce motion because you think the lack of animation makes iOS faster, feel free to turn it back off. iOS with reduce motion on is actually a fraction of a second slower — it's just a trick of perception that makes it seem faster.

How to turn off reduce motion on your iPhone or iPad

First you need to make sure reduce motion is off:

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap on General.

3. Tap on Accessibility.

4. Tap on Reduce Motion

5. Switch Reduce Motion to Off.

How to send bubble effects iMessages in iOS 10

Now test to see if Bubble effects are working:

1. Enter the message you want to send.
2. Press firmly (3D Touch) or long press (no 3D Touch) on the Send button (looks like an upward pointing arrow).
3. Select the Bubble tab at the top (if it's not already selected.)
4. Tap on the effect you want to apply: Slam, Loud, Gentle, or Invisible Ink.

5. Tap in the Send button to the right of the effect you chose (looks like an upward pointing arrow).

Any questions?

Bubble effects should now be working as designed for you. If you have any questions or need any more help, let me know in comments!

Give the gift of stickers in Messages. It'll make your conversations more animated!

For the last few months, our conversations have been much more interesting thanks to apps and stickers in Messages. There are dozens upon dozens of sticker packs available in the App Store. Some of them are free. Some come with a game or app you already use on your iPhone. Some cost a couple of bucks and your friend just doesn't want to shell out the dough to participate in the hilarity of a well-placed sticker. For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can share the joy of chatting with stickers by sending them as a gift. Here's how.

Note: iMessage sticker packs are only available on iOS 10 and later.

How to send an iMessage sticker pack as a gift

You'll first want to find the right sticker pack to share the perfect sentiments. The best way to search is by looking in the iMessage sticker store.

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Select a contact. It doesn't matter who you pick. You will be able to select the gift recipient later.

3. Tap the App icon next to the text field.

4. Tap the App drawer in the bottom left corner.
5. Tap Store.

6. Select a sticker pack.

7. Tap the Share button in the upper right corner of the summary. It looks like a square with an arrow pointing upward.
8. Tap Gift in the share sheet.

9. Enter the recipient's email address. Make sure it is the address used for the Apple ID. You can also add a personal message.

10. Select a date to send the gift.
11. Tap Next in the upper right corner.
12. Pick a gift card theme.
13. Tap Next.

14. Confirm the information is correct and tap Buy in the upper right corner.

15. Tap Buy Now.
16. Enter your Apple ID password.
17. Tap OK.

18. Tap Done.

Your friend or family member will receive an email from Apple with the gift. He or she can tap the link to download it on an iPhone or iPad. Then, you can chat back and forth with all the animated fun that a sticker pack has to offer.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions about gifting a sticker pack from Messages? Put them in the comments and we'll help you out.

Delete multiple images from your chats in Messages to save space on your phone!

Effortlessly clean out your chat history by deleting images sent by your contacts. This can free up space on your phone's storage and make your chats seem a little more organized and shorter. No need to click on each individual image and delete it, you can blow them out all at once like it's a Black Friday sale and every image must go! Clean away, champ! Clean away!

How to delete multiple images at once in Messages on iPhone or iPad

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on the chat you'd like to clear images from in order to open it.

3. Tap on Details at the top right.

4. Tap and hold on one of the images you'd like to delete under the Attachments section.
5. Tap on More in the popup menu.

6. Select all the images and attachments you'd like to delete.

7. Tap on the Delete button in the bottom right when you've got them all selected.
8. Tap on Delete Messages in the popup menu to confirm the delete.

That's all there is to it! The images you chose to delete will no longer be saved in the Messages app, eating up space. You may have noticed that when you highlight multiple images, you also get an option to the left of the trash can to save them. This is a great way to save multiple images at once in a messages thread, so keep that in mind as well!

Now give it a try and let me know how it works for you! Have at 'er!

Ever been stuck in a group message where the notifications just never seem to stop? We've all been there and wished that there was a way we could quiet them without having to silence everything else. Now thanks to iOS 8 you can mute message threads, group or individual, without bringing your other notifications to a grinding halt!

How to mute individual message threads on iPhone and iPad

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 8 or higher.
2. Tap on the message thread you'd like to mute — it can be a group message or a conversation with only one other person.
3. Tap on the Details button in the upper right hand corner.
4. Turn the Do Not Disturb toggle to the On position.
5. You should now see a half moon icon next to threads that you've silenced.

That's all there is to it. You should not receive any further notifications for that specific message thread. Unlike the leaving groups feature, the Do Not Disturb feature appears to work regardless of whether or not they are sending regular text messages or iMessages. So give it a try and let me know how it works for you! Does it bring any sanity back to the world of message notifications?

Ever been looped into what seems to be a never-ending group message with friends or family? All of us have been there and have desperately wished there was a way to stop the notification madness, especially when nothing being said even pertains to you. Luckily, iOS 8 lets you quickly and easily leave a group iMessage altogether.

How to leave a group iMessage thread on iPhone and iPad

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 8 or higher.
2. Tap on the thread you'd like to leave in order to open it.
3. Tap on Details in the top right.
4. Tap on Leave this Conversation— you'll need to scroll down a ways.

Remember that you can only leave group messages if all participants are using iMessage and running iOS 8 or higher. Since Apple doesn't have access to block or remove you from carrier messages, iMessage threads are the only thing they can remove you from on their end. The Leave This Conversation option will be grayed out like you see above if someone in the thread is running an older version of iOS. If the bubbles are green, you won't be able to remove yourself since those are regular text messages.

However, since most folks with iPhones are using iMessage these days, the feature should be widely available to many people if you and your friends are all using iPhones. So next time you get looped into a never-ending iMessage group thread, give this a try and let us know how it works!

iMessage is the name of Apple's proprietary instant messaging (IM) service that lets you send and receive free text, photo, video, and audio messages from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac to any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. Not only does iMessage let you send free simple messaging service (SMS)-style and multimedia messaging service (MMS)-style messages, but also create and manage group messages, share location instantly, temporarily, or persistently, and more. Here's everything you need to know about iMessage!

How to set up, configure, and secure iMessage

iMessage is super easy to start using right out of the box but you'll need to configure a few things first. Whether you're on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac you'll only have a few steps to complete before you'll be sending all kinds of content via iMessage. The process may be slightly different depending on what device you're setting up so make sure to check out our guides on getting it configured.

• How to enable and activate (or re-activate) iMessage
• How to add additional email addresses to iMessage
• How to enable or disable read receipts for iMessage
• How to copy or forward iMessages
• How to delete iMessages on iPhone and iPad
• How to set messages to automatically delete on iPhone and iPad
• How to save space on your iPhone or iPad by setting iMessage videos to automatically delete
• How to edit the expiration of audio messages in iMessage
• How to increase privacy with iMessage

How to turn on read receipts in iMessage

Read receipts allow your contact to see whether or not you've viewed a message yet. While some people may consider read receipts to be a bit stalker-ish, others may find them useful for work and business situations.

• How to turn on read receipts in iMessage

How to quickly reply to an iMessage using interactive notifications

Ever get an iMessage or text from someone while you're in the middle of doing something? We all have and we've all faced the dilemma of pausing our game or interrupting another activity in order to hop into the Messages app to respond. Luckily, if you're running iOS 8 or higher, you can respond to a message without having to close out of what you're doing.

• How to quickly reply to an iMessage using interactive notifications

How to mute individual conversation threads with iMessage

There are times when we need to receive some notifications but not others. Perhaps you're waiting for an important text from your boss but don't really feel like receiving notifications from others at that moment, or a certain person just won't stop messaging you. Since Do Not Disturb extends to message threads as well, you can do just that. Simply silence the threads you don't want notifications for and the others will continue to alert you like they normally would.

• How to mute individual conversation threads with iMessage

How to leave a group message with iMessage

Sometimes muting a message thread just isn't enough. Ever been stuck in an annoying group message you just can't seem to get out of? We've all been there and wished that just deleting the thread would make the madness stop. Luckily, if you and everyone in the thread are running iOS 8 or higher, you can now leave a group message at your own discretion.

• How to quickly leave group messages with iMessage

How to send photos using iMessage

More often than not, your iPhone is always on you which means you probably use it to capture a lot of moments. You'll most likely want to share them with friends and family. iMessage makes it super simple to do so and you can use it on any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. If the other person isn't using iMessage, they'll just receive a standard SMS (messaging rates will apply). Whether you want to share pictures from your iPhone or from iPhoto on your Mac, we can help you start sharing your images in no time.

• How to send photos using iMessage

How to quickly delete multiple images at once with iMessage

iMessage is a great way to share photos and videos quickly with others. Unfortunately that also means it can be a huge storage hog if you let it. So if you have threads with certain people that you know you share lots of files with, it's a good idea to go through occasionally and clean them out. Luckily, it's a pretty easy task if you use the attachments section of an iMessage thread.

• How to quickly delete multiple images at once with iMessage

How to send videos using iMessage

iMessage works with other iOS devices and Macs to let you easily send all kinds of content without paying your carrier for a special messaging plan (data rates will still apply if you aren't on Wi-Fi), including any videos you've recorded on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. iMessage is built right into the same Messages app and Share Sheet that sends SMS and MMS to your non-iPhone using friends, so you don't have to do anything extra to use it either.

• How to send videos using iMessage

How to send photo and video selfies with iMessage

Sending a selfie photo or video from your iPhone or iPad is literally just a swish and a flick away if you're running iOS 8 or higher. Just hold down on the camera icon and flick your photo or video away when you're done. You can even use the same mode to quickly take photos and videos using the rear facing camera too!

• How to take photo and video selfies faster than ever with iMessage

How to send voice messages with iMessage

Sometimes we can't always type a response to an iMessage when we need to. But if you absolutely have to respond, you could always send a voice message in its place. Not only is it easy, it takes half the time that typing out a long text string would take. And the person on the other side can just raise their iPhone to their face in order to listen, it's that easy!

• How to send a voice message with iMessage

How to quickly share your location using iMessage

Since iMessage is one of the easiest ways to communicate from your iPhone or iPad, it makes sense to use it for location data. As of iOS 8, you can share your location with any iMessage contact or group for a specific period of time, or indefinitely. That way people can easily get directions to your location and even send you directions on how to get somewhere, without ever even needed your actual address.

• How to share your location for a period of time with iMessage
• How to share your location one time with iMessage

How to send contact cards using iMessage

iMessage, and even traditional SMS makes it super simply to quickly send contact information from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. As long as you have the information listed in your iOS Contacts app, you're always only a few taps away from sharing a vCard file (vcf) containing phone numbers, email, street addresses, and much more.

• How to send contact cards using iMessage

How to send map locations using iMessage

You can quickly share your location with friends, family, and colleagues using iMessage. Whether you're lost or need someone to give you directions, or you're waiting and want to help someone find you, iMessage is as simple as hitting the share button and sending. The person on the other end will be sent your location instantly.

• How to send map locations using iMessage

How to send Voice Memos with iMessage

The iPhone and iPod touch have a built-in Voice Memo app that can be handy for recording lengthy thoughts or instructions. Whether you need to dictate instructions to someone or want to share lecture notes from a class, iMessage makes it easy. Once they receive it they'll be able to play it directly through the Messages app.

• How to send Voice Memos with iMessage

How to report iMessage spam to Apple

If you receive and unwanted iMessage, you can report them to Apple by sending a screenshot of the message, the sender's email address or phone number, and the date and time that the message was received. It's a great way to take back control of your communications!

• How to report iMessage spam to Apple

How to block iMessage on the iPhone or iPad

If you're getting harassed, spammed, stalked, or otherwise subjected to unwanted iMessages, you can block the person and preventing them from contacting you again. It's like an infinite iPhone or iPad time out for jerks. And best of all, it's easy to do.

• How to block iMessage on the iPhone or iPad

How to block iMessages on the Mac

If you're being stalked, spammed, pranked, or otherwise abused over iMessage, you can block that contact and prevent them from bothering you ever again, even on your Mac. It's simple, it's easy, and it's oh-so-gratifying. If there's an especially annoying someone you've been waiting to ignore, here's how to do it!

• How to block iMessages on the Mac

How to turn off iMessage if you stop using your iPhone

If, for whatever reason, you stop using your iPhone and are forced to use a regular cellphone, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, or Android phone, there are some steps you need to take to make sure the iPhone friends you leave behind can still reach you. iMessage works by routing iPhone-to-iPhone messages through Apple's servers instead of sending them as actual text messages. Unfortunately, unless you tell it to stop doing this, iMessage has no way of knowing you've left, at least until it times out after a couple weeks, and that's beyond frustrating. Luckily, deactivating it is easy. Here's how!

• How to turn off iMessage if you stop using your iPhone

How to fix issues with regular texts on iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

If you have an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus and you can only receive blue bubble iMessages and not green bubble regular SMS messages, you aren't alone. That's why we have some troubleshooting steps to help you get things in working order again!

• Receiving iMessages on iPhone 6 and 6 Plus but not regular texts? Here's how to fix it!

How to get more help with iMessage

If you need more help setting up, using, or trouble-shooting iMessage on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Mac, head on over to our iMessage forum and ask away!

iOS 8 has made it easier than ever to send both photo and video selfies with the help of the Messages app. Literally, a swish and a flick and your message is on its way to the recipient!

How to send selfies and videos faster than ever with iOS 8

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 8 or higher.
2. Tap on the text thread you'd like to send a selfie or video to.
3. Tap and hold on the camera icon that's located to the left of the text entry field.
4. Slide your finger up to take a photo and send it on its way.
5. Slide your finger to the right to start taking a video. When you're done, release your finger and it'll be on it way.
6. Alternately, you can lift your finger up and tap the flip camera icon in the top right to take a photo or video of something other than yourself.

If you don't want to send the recorded video or want to cancel sending a photo, lift your finger up without sliding up or down. Then simply tap the x in order to cancel. As always, you can short tap on the camera icon in order to attached an existing photo or video.

Sometimes we have the need to share our current location with someone, or in the case of younger children, you may want to always know where they are. Up until iOS 8 the only way to share a location was through the Maps app, which didn't give you constant location information, only current. Now you can now share specific location information as well as continuous location data with anyone else who is also using iMessage.

• How to share only your current location via iMessage
• How to share your location over a period of time with iMessage

How to share your location one time via iMessage in iOS 8

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 8 or higher.
2. Tap on the message thread that you'd like to share your location in — it can be with an individual person or with a group, as long as everyone in it is using iMessage.
3. Tap on Details in the upper right hand corner.
4. Tap on Send My Current Location.
5. Your iPhone or iPad will instantly locate you and share your location.

That's all there is to it. The person on the other end can then tap on the location in order to view it and even get directions.

How to share your location for a period of time via iMessage in iOS 8

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 8 or higher.
2. Tap on the message thread that you'd like to share your location in — it can be with an individual person or with a group, as long as everyone in it is using iMessage.
3. Tap on Details in the upper right hand corner.
4. Tap on Share My Location.
5. Make your selection concerning how long you'd like to share your location.

That's it. The other person will be able to see your location for the time you've specified. If you ever decide you want to stop sharing your location with them, just follow the same direction and tap where it says Stop Sharing My Location.

Let me know in the comments if this is a feature you see yourself using often. If so, what types of situations do you plan on using it for?

If you've switched from iPhone to something else, like Android, and aren't receiving text messages, it could be that your phone number is still registered with iMessage. If that's the case, Apple has an online tool you can use to deregister with iMessage and get your SMS/MMS working properly with your new phone.

How to de-activate iMessage online

1. Go to http://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage from any web browser.
2. Scroll down to the second section labeled No longer have your iPhone?.
3. Enter the phone number you'd like to de-activate from iMessage and click Send Code.
4. Check your current phone for a text message and enter the code that you're sent.
5. Wait for confirmation that iMessage has been de-activated.

How to re-active iMessage when you come back to iPhone

If and when you later switch back to the iPhone, all you have to do is turn iMessage back on in Settings.

Because you can never be too quick on the chat.

Messages is the most popular app on iPhone because it's what keeps you in touch with everyone else who has an iPhone. And iPad, and Mac, and any other kind of phone. Thanks to all the gestures and shortcuts Apple's built into Messages, it also keeps you in that contact quicker than ever. Not all of them are obvious, but all of them are useful — once you figure them out!

Originally published February 2015. Updated February 2016.

Pull to search

Just like on the Home screen where you can touch and pull down to access Spotlight search, you can touch and pull down from any mailbox to bring up search for mail. Start typing and Mail will show you any messages that match.

Swipe back

Another system-wide gesture, any time you're in a message or mailbox, you can swipe to go back to the mailbox the message is in, or the account the mailbox in in. It's especially handy for those with bigger phones.

Timestamps

Time stamps — exactly when a message arrived — aren't shown inline. If you want to see them, you can swipe from the right edge of the screen to the left and you'll see them listed.

Hold to copy

You can't select text in a message the way you can in other parts of iOS. If you want to copy any part of a message, you have to copy the whole message. To do that, touch and hold down on it and then choose Copy from the popup menu.

Multi-trash or forward

There's no Edit button in Messages but there's still a multi-select mode. Touch and hold down on a message and then choose More from the popup menu. Choose the messages you want, then choose Trash or Forward to delete or share.

Save images

Whether it's a priceless family photo, a magic moment, or an infuriating animated GIF, it's easy to keep pictures and videos you get to you camera roll. Just touch and hold the thumbnail and then choose Save from the popup menu.

All attachments

Messages shows you thumbails for every photo or video you receive. Tap on a thumbnail and it goes fullscreen. Swipe, and you can browse through all the photos and videos in the conversation, just like albums in the Photos app.

Insta-selfies

To quickly send a selfie or video message, touch and hold the Camera icon. Then swipe up to take a photo or right to take a video.

Soundbites

To quickly send an audio message, touch and hold the Microphone icon. When you're done talking, swipe up to send or left to trash.

Delete conversations

If you want to trash an entire conversation, swipe from right to left on the list item and then tap Delete to get rid of it. You can still send and receive new messages, but the old ones will be gone.

Hide keyboard

Sometimes, where you're responding to a message, you want to see more of it. Maybe you forgot the exact question you're trying to answer, or you want to refer to something specific. No matter the reason, all you have to do is touch the message above the keyboard and swipe down to hide it.

Read without "Read"

If you have one of the iPhones 6s with 3D Touch, you can use the peek feature to preview a message without tripping the "read" state. Simply press on a message in the list view hard enough to see the full conversation but not so hard that you pop into it. Then you know what they said, but they don't know that you know. You know?

Contact quickly

Also on the iPhones 6s with 3D Touch, you can use the peek feature to quickly pull up email, FaceTime, and phone options for any contact. Just press firmly on the contact's profile picture, then tap whichever option you want, including the profile picture to go straight to the detail view for location, attachments, and more.

More secrets

If you just can't get enough of this stuff, and want to learn more of the secrets to iPhone mastery, check out our other shortcut guides. And if we missed any of your favorite Messages tips, add them to the comments below!

• Secret Apple Watch controls
• Secret Siri commands
• Secret Safari shortcuts
• Secret Mail shortcuts
• Secret keyboard shortcuts
• Secret power-saving shortcuts
• Secret Apple TV controls

How Apple is taking effects, emoji, digital touch, stickers, and apps to the next level in iMessage for iOS 10!

iMessage is the most popular app on iPhone. That's why Apple is bringing significant updates to it in iOS 10, including bubble and screen effects, emoji tapbacks and full-on emojification, Digital Touch and handwriting, and, for the first time, iMessage apps.

How bubble and screen effects work in iMessage for iOS 10

Messages in iOS 10 has new effects for iPhone or iPad that make bubbles slam, loud, gentle, or invisible, or turn the whole screen to balloons, confetti, lasers, fireworks, or shooting stars. If you're on the developer preview and want to test them out, here's how!

• How do I add iOS 10 bubble effects to my iMessages?
• How do I cancel an iOS 10 bubble effect in iMessage?
• What do iOS 10 bubble effects do in iMessage?
• Will the iOS 10 bubble effects I send show up in Messages on the Mac?
• How do I add iOS 10 screen effects to my iMessages?
• How do I cancel an iOS 10 screen effect in iMessage?
• What do iOS 10 screen effects do in Messages?
• Will the iOS 10 screen effects I send show up in Messages on the Mac?

How emoji and Tapbacks work in iMessage for iOS 10

Messages in iOS 10 also takes emoji to the next level. If that doesn't sound important to you, then you haven't seen the kind of cheers emoji get on stage or the amount of interest they generate on social. They're a big, smiley, thumbs-up deal! If you're on the developer preview and want to test them out, here's how!

• How do you get the 3x bigger emoji in iMessage?
• How do you get emoji recommendations in iMessage?
• How do you emojify an iMessage?
• How do you react with an emoji Tapback in iMessage?
• What do the new Tapback emoji reactions mean?
• How do you change the emoji reaction Tapback in iMessage?
• How do you delete the emoji reaction Tapback in iMessage?
• Do the 3x emoji and Tapbacks work on the Mac?

How Digital Touch and handwriting work in iMessage for iOS 10

Digital Touch — the ability to send a hand-drawn Sketch, haptic Taps, or sensor-read Heartbeats — was one of the debut features of the Apple Watch. Now, with iOS 10, all those communication features are making their way to the iPhone and iPad as well. Will Digital Touch on the phone and tablet come off as a gimmick, or will it go mainstream? If you're a developer, you can try it out now and decide for yourself.

• How do you send a Sketch in iMessage?
• How do you send a Heartbeat on iMessage?
• How do you send a Tap on iMessage?
• How do you add Digital Touch on top of a photo or video in iMessage?
• How do you send Handwriting on iMessage?
• Can you receive Digital Touch and Handwriting on your Apple Watch and Mac?

How stickers and apps work in iMessage for iOS 10

Apple has opened up iMessage to the App Store. Designers can now create sticker packs that you can post send, modify, and stamp on top of other messages. And developers can create apps that let you share content, edit photos, play games, send payments, and collaborate with others, right inside Messages. It's great for users, who get much richer functionality, and for developers, who get a chance to become as viral as the next hot meme. If you're on the developer preview and want to test them out, here's how!

• How do I access apps in iMessage?
• How do I go full screen for selections?
• How do I browse all installed iMessage apps?
• How do I get more iMessage apps?
• How do I get animated stickers?
• How do I put a sticker on top of another iMessage?
• How do I collaborate with iMessage apps?
• What happens if I'm sent an iMessage from an app I don't have installed?
• Do iMessage apps work on Mac?

How do you make the bubbles slam or turn invisible, or the screen turn to lasers or fireworks? With the new iMessage effects in iOS 10!

Messages has gotten a makeover in iOS 10 and it focuses on bringing the fun. That includes new effects for iPhone or iPad that make bubbles slam, loud, gentle, or invisible, or turn the whole screen to balloons, confetti, lasers, fireworks, or shooting stars. Here's how to spruce up iMessage!

Update: Apple has added a special variant of "Celebration" for Chinese New Year. Simply type "Happy Chinese New Year!" and iMessage will send the Celebration screen effect along with a red bubble and golden-yellow writing. Gong Hey Faat Choy indeed!

• How do I add iOS 10 bubble effects to my iMessages?
• How do I cancel an iOS 10 bubble effect in iMessage?
• What do iOS 10 bubble effects do in iMessage?
• Will the iOS 10 bubble effects I send show up in Messages on the Mac?
• How do I add iOS 10 screen effects to my iMessages?
• How do I cancel an iOS 10 screen effect in iMessage?
• How to replay bubble and screen effects in iMessage
• How to use Message effects with Reduce Motion turned on
• What do iOS 10 screen effects do in Messages?
• Will the iOS 10 screen effects I send show up in Messages on the Mac?

How do I add iOS 10 bubble effects to my iMessages?

If you're running iOS 10, you can send a bubble effect on your iPhone or iPad from the Messages app or from the new interactive notifications, even from the lock screen.

1. Enter the message you want to send.

2. Press firmly (3D Touch) or long press (no 3D Touch) on the Send button (looks like an upward pointing arrow).

3. Select the Bubble tab at the top, if it's not already selected.

4. Tap on the effect you want to apply: Slam, Loud, Gentle, or Invisible Ink.

5. Tap in the Send button to the right of the effect you chose (looks like an upward pointing arrow).

How do I cancel an iOS 10 bubble effect in iMessage?

If you change your mind about sending a bubble effect, tap the Cancel button at the bottom of the effects list (looks like an X).

What do iOS 10 bubble effects do in iMessage?

In the current developer preview of iOS 10, here's what the bubble effects do:

• Slam: Stamps the bubble down and makes the entire screen ripple
• Loud: Sends a giant bubble that shakes before settling down into place.
• Gentle: Sends a tiny bubble that meekly slips into place.
• Invisible ink: Covers the bubble in animated noise and blur until you swipe it out of the way.

Will the iOS 10 bubble effects I send show up in Messages on the Mac?

The Mac can receive the Invisible Ink bubble effect if you're running macOS Sierra.

How do I add iOS 10 screen effects to my iMessages?

If you're running iOS 10, you can also send a screen effect from the Messages app or from the new interactive notifications, even from the lock screen.

1. Enter the message you want to send.
2. Press firmly (3D Touch) or long press (no 3D Touch) on the Send button (looks like an upward pointing arrow).

3. Select the Screen tab at the top, if it's not already selected.

4. Swipe from right to left to switch between the effects you want to apply: balloons, confetti, lasers, fireworks, or shooting stars

5. Tap in the Send button to the right of your message (looks like an upward pointing arrow).

How do I cancel an iOS 10 screen effect in iMessage?

If you change your mind about sending a screen effect, tap the Cancel button at the bottom below your message (looks like an X).

How to replay bubble and screen effects in iMessage

With iOS 10.1, you can now replay the bubble and screen effects you receive in an iMessage. Just follow these simple steps.

1. Open Messages.
2. Open the conversation in which you want to view the effects.

3. Find a message with an effect attached and press the Replay button to view the effect again.

How to use Message effects with Reduce Motion turned on

If you're using the Reduce Motion setting on your iPhone or iPad, iOS 10.1 adds an option to automatically play Message effects when Reduced Motion is on. Here's how to use it.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.

3. Tap Accessibility.

4. Tap Reduce Motion.

5. If it isn't already, flip the Reduce Motion switch to the 'on' position.

6. Flip the Auto-play Message Effects switch to the 'on' position.

What do iOS 10 screen effects do in iMessage?

In the current developer preview of iOS 10, here's what the screen effects do:

• Balloons: Sends multi-color balloons expanding and flying up from the bottom right of the screen.
• Confetti: Drops multi-color confetti from the top of the screen.
• Lasers: Fills the screen with "unce, unce, unce" lasers and sound.
• Fireworks: Sets off multi-color fireworks from the center of the screen.
• Shooting stars: Launches a "the more you know" starburst shooting from the left of the screen, exploding as it reaches the right.

Will the iOS 10 screen effects I send show up in Messages on the Mac?

Not currently, no.

How do you get 3x emoji, emoji recommendations, emoji reactions, and emojifications? With the new iMessage effects in iOS 10!

Messages in iOS 10 takes emoji to the next level. If that doesn't sound important to you, then you haven't seen the kind of cheers emoji get on stage or the amount of interest they generate on social. They're a big, smiley, thumbs-up deal! If you're on the developer preview or public beta and want to test them out, here's how!

• How do you get the 3x bigger emoji in iMessage?
• How do you get emoji recommendations in iMessage?
• How do you emojify an iMessage?
• How do you react with an emoji Tapback in iMessage?
• What do the new Tapback emoji reactions mean?
• How do you change the emoji reaction Tapback in iMessage?
• How do you delete the emoji reaction Tapback in iMessage?
• Do the 3x emoji and Tapbacks work on the Mac?

How do you get the 3x bigger emoji in iMessage?

Bigger emoji are better emoji. They let you see all the details and convey all the emotions. If you're running iOS 10, iMessage can now show you emoji at three times the normal size. But only under certain circumstances.

1. Enter one to three emoji in the iMessage text field.

2. Tap the Send button. (Looks like an upward arrow)

If you enter more than three emoji, they'll default back to 1x size. If you enter emoji and any other text, they'll default back to 1x size. So, if you really want 3x emoji, you can only send emoji, and you can only send one to three of them in a single iMessage.

How do you get emoji recommendations in iMessage?

If you're running iOS 10, Apple's predictive QuickType keyboard can suggest emoji as well as, you know, regular words. The predictive keyboard has to be turned on in Settings, and can't be hidden.

1. Start typing in the iMessage text field.
2. Tap any emoji predictions that show up in the prediction bar. If multiple predictions show up, tap the one you prefer.
3. Tap the Send button. (Looks like an upward arrow)

Emoji predictions will show up whenever you type something that has a corresponding emoji. For example, "I'm happy" will predict "I'm [smiley face]". "My car" will suggest the "[car]" emoji.

How do you emojify an iMessage?

With iOS 10, "emojification" works similarly to emoji recommendations.

1. Type an iMessage text field.

2. Tap the Emoji button on the keyboard.

3. Tap on a word that's underlined in yellow to replace it with its corresponding emoji.

4. Keep tapping words underlined in yellow until you've "emojified" everything you want.

5. Tap the Send button. (Looks like an upward arrow)

With emojification, you can convert as many — or as few — words to emoji as you like.

How do you react with an emoji Tapback in iMessage?

Emoji aren't just for replying in iOS 10, they're also for reacting. Apple calls them Tapbacks. They're similar to Slack or Facebook emoji reactions, and drop right onto any iMessage bubble sent your way.

1. Touch and hold (long press) on an iMessage sent your way.

2. Tap the Tapback you want to send: Heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, Ha ha, !!, or ?.

There's no need to hit send, the emoji reaction goes immediately.

What do the new Tapback emoji reactions mean?

Currently, in the iOS 10 beta, the following Tapback emoji are available:

• Heart: Like, love, or fav
• Thumbs up: Happy, approve, or agree
• Thumbs down: Sad, disapprove, or disagree
• Ha ha: Laugh, either happily or sarcastically.
• !!: Exclaim emphatically.
• ?: Question.

How do you change the emoji reaction Tapback in iMessage?

If you reply with the wrong Tapback, or you later decide you want a different Tapback, you can easily make the change.

1. Touch and hold (long press) on an iMessage with the Tapback you want to change.

2. Tap the Tapback you want to change to: Heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, Ha ha, !, or ?.

The new Tapback will take the place of the old one.

How do you delete the emoji reaction Tapback in iMessage?

If you accidentally send a Tapback, or have simply reconsider sending one, you can also remove it.

1. Touch a Tapback that you wish to remove.

2. Tap the Tapback you want to remove (i.e. if you want to remove Heart, tap Heart.)

The Tapback will disappear.

Do the 3x emoji and Tapbacks work on the Mac?

Sure do! With macOS Sierra you can send and receive both the new 3x emoji and the Tapbacks, right from the Mac.

What do you think about the new emoji in iOS 10? Will you be using them? Let me know!

How do you send Apple Watch-style Sketches, Heartbeats, and Taps from your iPhone or iPad? Easily, thanks to Digital Touch in iOS 10!

Digital Touch — the ability to send a hand-drawn Sketch, haptic Taps, or sensor-read Heartbeats — was one of the debut features of the Apple Watch. Now, with iOS 10, all those communication features are making their way to the iPhone and iPad as well. Will Digital Touch on the phone and tablet come off as a gimmick, or will it go mainstream? If you're on the developer preview or public beta, you can try it out now and decide for yourself.

• How do you send a Sketch in iMessage?
• How do you send a Heartbeat on iMessage?
• How do you send a Tap on iMessage?
• How do you add Digital Touch on top of a photo or video in iMessage?
• How do you send Handwriting on iMessage?
• Can you receive Digital Touch and Handwriting on your Apple Watch and Mac?

How do you send a Sketch in iMessage?

Sketches on iPhone and iPad work similarly to Apple Watch.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Digital Touch button. (Looks like a heart with touch fingers on it). If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)

3. Tap the swatch on the left-hand side to choose a different color.

4. Touch and hold (long press) any of the swatches to reveal the custom color palette.

5. Draw your sketch on the canvas area in the middle.

6. Tap Send (Looks like an arrow).

How do you send a Heartbeat on iMessage?

Though neither the iPhone nor iPad have heart rate sensors like Apple Watch, you can still use them to send Heartbeats.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Digital Touch button. (Looks like a heart with touch fingers on it). If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >.)

3. Touch and hold down (long press) with two fingers on the canvas

You can hold down for a short or longer period of time. When you release, your Heartbeat will be sent.

How do you send a Tap on iMessage?

Taps on the Apple Watch let you subtly communicate with someone, because you know whatever you send will be received right on their wrist. With iOS, there's no such expectation of contact, so Taps take on a subtly different meaning.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Digital Touch button. (Looks like a heart with touch fingers on it). If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >.)

3. Tap the canvas.

You can Tap as little or as often as you like, and in any pattern you like.

How do you add Digital Touch on top of a photo or video in iMessage?

Unique to iPhone and iPad, you can also Sketch, Heartbeat, or Tap on top of a photo or video.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Digital Touch button. (Looks like a heart with touch fingers on it). If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >.)

3. Tap on the Camera button on the left.

4. Tap on the Camera Switch button at the bottom right to switch between the rear and selfie camera.

5. Tap on the white Camera Shutter button at the bottom left to take a still photo, or the red Video Shutter button at the bottom middle to start recoding up to 10 seconds of video.

6. Swipe your finger to Sketch, touch and hold two fingers to add a Heartbeat, or Tap with one finger as you would normally. 7. Tap Send at the bottom right. (Looks like an upward arrow).

How do you send Handwriting on iMessage?

While you can write out messages using Sketch in Digital Touch, iOS 10 also has a feature designed specifically for handwritten messages.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.

2. Rotate your iPhone to landscape mode to bring up the handwriting canvas.

3. Tap a stock or previously sent handwritten message to send or re-send it immediately, or write out a new message using your finger.

4. Tap Done.

5. Add text, if desired.

6. Tap the Send button. (Looks like an up arrow.)

If you change your mind about sending the handwritten message, you can cancel it by tapping the X button at its top right, or deleting it using the backspace key.

Can you receive Digital Touch and Handwriting on your Apple Watch and Mac?

Absolutely. Digital Touch sent from iOS 10 are received on Apple Watch exactly as if another Apple Watch had sent them. The Mac, though, renders the graphics but not the haptics.

Handwriting also shows up on both.

What do you think about Digital Touch in iOS 10? Will it get you to Sketch, Heartbeat, and Tap more? Let me know!

How do you add stickers, play games, and send cash while you chat? With apps in iMessage for iOS 10!

Apple has opened up iMessage to the App Store. That means, with iOS 10, designers can create sticker packs that you can post send, modify, and stamp on top of other messages. And developers can create apps that let you share content, edit photos, play games, send payments, and collaborate with others, right inside Messages. It's great for users, who get much richer functionality, and for developers, who get a chance to become as viral as the next hot meme. If you're on the developer preview or public beta and want to test them out, here's how!

• How do I access apps in iMessage?
• How do I go full screen for selections?
• How do I browse all installed iMessage apps?
• How do I get more iMessage apps?
• How do I get animated stickers?
• How do I put a sticker on top of another iMessage?
• How do I delete stickers I've placed on top of another iMessage
• How do I collaborate with iMessage apps?
• What happens if I'm sent an iMessage from an app I don't have installed?
• Do iMessage apps work on Mac?

How do I access apps in iMessage?

With iMessage apps, the apps are literally inside iMessage.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.

2. Tap on the Apps button. (Looks like the App Store icon.) If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)

3. Swipe to switch between different apps.

4. Tap on a sticker or app action to send it.

How do I go full screen to select?

If the bottom third of the screen isn't enough for you to get your browse on, you can take the stickers or actions full screen.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Apps button. (Looks like the App Store icon.) If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)

3. Swipe to switch between different apps.

4. Tap the Expand button at the bottom right.

5. Tap on a sticker or action you want to use.

6. Tap Send (looks like an upward arrow).

How do I browse all installed iMessage apps?

If swiping between iMessage apps isn't fast enough for you, you can browse them by icon.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.

2. Tap on the Apps button. (Looks like the App Store icon.) If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)

3. Tap on the App Shelf button (looks like four ellipses in a grid).

4. Tap on any sticker pack or app to access it.

How do I get more iMessage apps?

The iMessage App Store is built right into iMessage as well.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.

2. Tap on the Apps button. (Looks like the App Store icon.) If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)

3. Tap on the App Shelf button (looks like four ellipses in a grid).

4. Tap on the App Store button at the top left (looks like a +) to access the iMessage App Store.

How do I get animated stickers?

Whether a sticker pack is animated or not is up to the designer who makes them. Apple lets designers choose between static stickers, made in image programs, or animated stickers, made in Apple's Motion app.

How do I put a sticker on top of another iMessage?

[custom:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWYUprVkIMw]

While you can send stickers as messages, you can also slap stickers on top of existing messages.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the Apps button. (Looks like the App Store icon.) If you've already begun typing, it'll be hidden and you'll need to tap on the Show More button to the left to reveal it. (Looks like >)

3. Swipe to switch to the sticker pack you want to use.

4. Touch and hold on the sticker you want to use.

5. Drag the sticker to the message bubble you want to slap it onto, and position it exactly where you want it.

6. Let go.

How to I delete stickers you've placed on top of another iMessage

Whether you want to declutter your conversation, or you just pasted the wrong one, you can easily remove stickers that you've placed on top of messages.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Select the conversation where you'd like to delete stickers.
3. Find the messages from which you would like to remove the sticker, then tap and hold the sticker.

4. Tap Sticker Details.

5. Swipe to the left on the sticker you wish to delete.

6. Tap Delete.

How do I collaborate on iMessage apps?

If developers choose to, they can make iMessage apps that let you modify existing messages. For example, adding scoops of ice cream to a cone, or adding your lunch choice to a food order.

1. Launch Messages from your Home screen.
2. Tap on the iMessage bubble you want to modify.
3. Make any alteration or addition you want.
4. Tap Send (looks like an upward arrow).

What happens if I'm sent an iMessage from an app I don't have installed?

iMessage apps are meant to spread virally, like memes. If you get sent something from an app you don't have installed, the name of that app will appear in small, subtle writing above the text entry field.

For stickers, you can touch and hold on a sticker you're not familiar with, choose Sticker Details, and get a list of each sticker in a message, who sent it, what app it came from, and a button to view the app.

Do iMessage apps work on Mac?

Yes, though it might depend on the app. Currently, the Apple Music app and Classic sticker packs in the beta show up fine on the Mac.

If you can't see the fancy new bubble effects in iMessage for iOS 10, here's your fix!

Some of the funnest new features coming to iPhone and iPad are the bubble effects in iMessage for iOS 10. With them, you can SLAM down a message or send it softly. You can light the screen with lasers or fill it up with balloons. But what do you do when you try to use it and nothing happens?

The easiest fix is to check your accessibility settings, namely: reduce motion. Bubble effects rely on the very physics engine reduce motion disables. So, if you turn on reduce motion, you turn off bubble effects. It's not obvious, but it's what happens.

Note: If you turned on reduce motion because iOS animations cause vertigo or similar reactions, leave it off. You're not missing any real functionality with bubble effects, only fun. If you turned on reduce motion because you think the lack of animation makes iOS faster, feel free to turn it back off. iOS with reduce motion on is actually a fraction of a second slower — it's just a trick of perception that makes it seem faster.

How to turn off reduce motion on your iPhone or iPad

First you need to make sure reduce motion is off:

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap on General.

3. Tap on Accessibility.

4. Tap on Reduce Motion

5. Switch Reduce Motion to Off.

How to send bubble effects iMessages in iOS 10

Now test to see if Bubble effects are working:

1. Enter the message you want to send.
2. Press firmly (3D Touch) or long press (no 3D Touch) on the Send button (looks like an upward pointing arrow).
3. Select the Bubble tab at the top (if it's not already selected.)
4. Tap on the effect you want to apply: Slam, Loud, Gentle, or Invisible Ink.

5. Tap in the Send button to the right of the effect you chose (looks like an upward pointing arrow).

Any questions?

Bubble effects should now be working as designed for you. If you have any questions or need any more help, let me know in comments!

Give the gift of stickers in Messages. It'll make your conversations more animated!

For the last few months, our conversations have been much more interesting thanks to apps and stickers in Messages. There are dozens upon dozens of sticker packs available in the App Store. Some of them are free. Some come with a game or app you already use on your iPhone. Some cost a couple of bucks and your friend just doesn't want to shell out the dough to participate in the hilarity of a well-placed sticker. For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can share the joy of chatting with stickers by sending them as a gift. Here's how.

Note: iMessage sticker packs are only available on iOS 10 and later.

How to send an iMessage sticker pack as a gift

You'll first want to find the right sticker pack to share the perfect sentiments. The best way to search is by looking in the iMessage sticker store.

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Select a contact. It doesn't matter who you pick. You will be able to select the gift recipient later.

3. Tap the App icon next to the text field.

4. Tap the App drawer in the bottom left corner.
5. Tap Store.

6. Select a sticker pack.

7. Tap the Share button in the upper right corner of the summary. It looks like a square with an arrow pointing upward.
8. Tap Gift in the share sheet.

9. Enter the recipient's email address. Make sure it is the address used for the Apple ID. You can also add a personal message.

10. Select a date to send the gift.
11. Tap Next in the upper right corner.
12. Pick a gift card theme.
13. Tap Next.

14. Confirm the information is correct and tap Buy in the upper right corner.

15. Tap Buy Now.
16. Enter your Apple ID password.
17. Tap OK.

18. Tap Done.

Your friend or family member will receive an email from Apple with the gift. He or she can tap the link to download it on an iPhone or iPad. Then, you can chat back and forth with all the animated fun that a sticker pack has to offer.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions about gifting a sticker pack from Messages? Put them in the comments and we'll help you out.

Delete multiple images from your chats in Messages to save space on your phone!

Effortlessly clean out your chat history by deleting images sent by your contacts. This can free up space on your phone's storage and make your chats seem a little more organized and shorter. No need to click on each individual image and delete it, you can blow them out all at once like it's a Black Friday sale and every image must go! Clean away, champ! Clean away!

How to delete multiple images at once in Messages on iPhone or iPad

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on the chat you'd like to clear images from in order to open it.

3. Tap on Details at the top right.

4. Tap and hold on one of the images you'd like to delete under the Attachments section.
5. Tap on More in the popup menu.

6. Select all the images and attachments you'd like to delete.

7. Tap on the Delete button in the bottom right when you've got them all selected.
8. Tap on Delete Messages in the popup menu to confirm the delete.

That's all there is to it! The images you chose to delete will no longer be saved in the Messages app, eating up space. You may have noticed that when you highlight multiple images, you also get an option to the left of the trash can to save them. This is a great way to save multiple images at once in a messages thread, so keep that in mind as well!

Now give it a try and let me know how it works for you! Have at 'er!