Did You Get the (i)Message? Tapback, Digital Touch, Apps, and More

Dr. Mac’s Rants & Raves

Episode #197

The Messages app gained a passel of new and interesting features in iOS 10 including bubble effects, full-screen effects, handwriting, Digital Touch, tapback effects, plus its own app store and apps made exclusively for the Messages app.

One would think my 27-year old daughter, whose iPhone is never out of reach, would know all about such flashy new features. But when I sent her stickers, full-screen effects, and a message written in invisible ink, I was shocked to see her reply:

“Haha! I didn’t even know you could do all that.”

Whoa! I mean, Messages is one of the most-used apps on her iPhone. How on earth did she not know about these whizzy new features? And, more importantly, if someone as Message-savvy as my daughter didn’t know, it’s more than likely at least a few of you out there in reader-land have yet to discover the joys of iOS 10’s Messages app.

So here’s a quick primer on where to find these interesting new features:

Tapback Effects

We’ll start with an easy one: Tapback effects. To send a quick response to an iMessage, double-tap the message and tap one of the six icons that appear above it—Loved, Liked, Disliked, Laughed at, Emphasized, or Questioned. Tap an icon to instantly affix that sentiment to the message.

Double-tap a message to see Tapback options (top); the “Love” Tapback as seen by the recipient (bottom).

Digital Touch Effects

Digital Touch lets you send sketches, fireballs, kisses, heartbeats, and more. To use it, tap the little heart icon on the left of the text entry field. If you don’t see a heart icon, tap the angle bracket (>) to the left of the text entry field instead and the heart will appear. Now, use your finger to sketch, throw a fireball, blow a kiss, or send a heartbeat or heartbreak animation.

Send fireballs, kisses, heartbeats, sketches, and more with Digital Touch.

Handwritten Messages

To send someone an animated handwritten message, rotate your iPhone to landscape mode (long edge parallel to the floor), and tap the icon that looks like a upside-down lower-case “e.” Now write the message with your finger, tap Done when you’re done, and tap the up-arrow-in-a-circle to send it.

Turn your phone sideways to handwrite a message.

Messages Apps and the Messages App Store

Messages apps let you decorate conversations with stickers, schedule dinner or a movie, send payments, and more without leaving the Messages app. To download them from the iMessage app store, tap the A icon on the left of the text entry field. Tap the angle bracket (>) if you don’t see it. Now tap the four dots icon, and then tap Store.

The JibJab app, which creates funny GIFs using your own face, is one of my faves.

Bubble and Screen Effects

Finally, to add animated bubble effects, use invisible ink, or add a full-screen effect, press and hold the up-arrow-in-a-circle and the Send With Effect screen appears. Tap the Bubble tab at the top to add Slam, Loud, Gentle, or Invisible Ink effects; tap the Screen tab to add Balloons, Confetti, Lasers, Fireworks, or Shooting Stars (swipe left or right to switch between them). When you’re satisfied, tap the up-arrow-in-a-circle to send your message with its bubble and/or screen effect.

The Bubble (left) and Screen (right) Send with Effect tabs.

And that’s all he wrote…

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