With the launch of iOS 10, Apple introduced an update to its proprietary messenger iMessage. At first glance, nothing interesting happened: stickers, emoji and animated fireworks were added. In fact, Apple introduced a whole new platform open to third-party developers. Over time, built-in applications of varying degrees of usefulness became available to users.
Daily Afisha offers a selection of hidden and unobvious features of the iMessage service that will make using it more convenient and enjoyable.
Handwritten text
Let's start simple: place your iPhone in a horizontal position and press the bottom left key. The keyboard will turn into a graphics tablet on which you can write something by hand, and in the case of an iPad and a stylus, make a sketch for a working design project.
Messages with effects
There are several types of message effects. You can send any message using the standard Slam, Loud, Gentle and Invisible ink. The latter makes it possible to send hidden messages, the text of which becomes available after touching the message itself. The effects menu is called up by a long tap on the send messages button. The message can also be accompanied by balloons, confetti or full-screen fireworks. Similar effects are located in the same menu in the Screen section. Effects can be used not only for entertainment, but also to draw attention to certain important messages.
Tapback
An excellent option for moments when there is absolutely no time to write and send a message, but the interlocutor needs your answer. A long tap on an incoming message brings up a menu with six standard reactions to the message.
Music from Apple Music
Replacing words with emoji
Type some text, switch your keyboard to emoji mode, and you'll see how individual words in a message can automatically turn into pictures.
Rock Paper Scissors
Another proposal that solves the problem of choice. Rock-paper-scissors - an application with the game rock-paper-scissors - allows you to resolve any dispute directly in the application, you just need to launch the application in the Apps menu or accept the offer to play from your interlocutor.
Making your own stickers
You can now create your own set of stickers from photos of friends or favorite moments from films as easily and quickly as possible, without even leaving the messenger. The imoji app for iMessage allows you to instantly crop the desired photo to fit a sticker and save it to your collection.
Gifs
An irreplaceable thing in any messenger is the ability to send GIFs. By default, iMessage does not have a GIF browser, but everything can be solved by adding the GIF Keyboard application to the Apps menu right in the messenger. The application allows you to search for GIFs by keywords and send them with the correct display.
Setting a meeting place and time
If you are always late or, on the contrary, are punctual and do not like to wait for others, the ETA application will help you. With it, you can send a friend the distance from where you are to the intended meeting place. The application determines the time you will spend on the road, walking, traveling by car or public transport. True, it costs 229 rubles.
Games: poker, billiards and sea battle
You can play one of these games with a friend directly in the messenger. GamePigeon has ten built-in games that you can play against your friends. All you have to do is add the application to your collection in iMessage and send an invitation to play. The interlocutor will receive an invitation in the form of a regular message.
They allow you to decorate your correspondence with a friend, loved one, colleague or even a stranger. Surely many have received text messages with animations or modified forms of pop-up windows, or something similar. But it is not obvious to everyone how to use the function. But in reality everything is extremely obvious. Let's take a quick look at the procedure.
Using the function
All effects in the free messaging service can be divided into three types: changing the appearance of the message form, full screen and handwritten text. Each of them is available through correspondence with a person.
Open a chat with the person in the appropriate application. Enter the text of the message or select a picture, and then make a long tap on the icon. Next, go to the “Cloud” tab and select the appropriate option. 
The initial procedure is exactly the same as in the previous case. But now you need to open the “Screen” section. To find a suitable animation, swipe the suggested ones. They will be played before they are sent. 
Everything gets more interesting here. You need to open a conversation with the user and tap on the text field. Next, turn the iPhone on its side (the orientation lock should not be active), then draw with your finger what you want to send to your interlocutor and tap the send button. On the iPad there is a separate icon to access this function. 
Today, there are so many ways to spice up your correspondence on an updated iPhone. But still, the most fun and interesting way is to send a full-screen animation. Starting with iOS 10, this is called “Actions”.
For example, for a birthday, you can send someone a full screen set of balloons or send them fireworks for the New Year. The animation appears full screen and can even be viewed on Apple Watch and Mac.
How to send effects in iMessage
Step 1: To begin, open the desired dialog in iMessage.
Write your message and make sure that the person you are talking to also uses iMessage (this feature does not work with regular SMS). You can also send just emoticons.
Step 2: Now hold down the arrow “ up“.
Step 3: The Bubble Effects screen appears ( cloud). Here you can choose one of 4 bubbles. But this is not what we need. At the top, switch the tab to “ Screen“
Step 4: Here you will see the full screen effect. Move your finger left/right to select the effect you like.
There are eight types of animation - echo effect, spotlight, balloons, celebration, heart, lasers, fireworks and shooting star. Below are previews of all animations.
echo effect, spotlight, balloons, holiday 
heart, lasers, fireworks and shooting star Step 5: Once you've chosen an effect, such as fireworks, click the blue up arrow again to send the message with the animation.
A faster way to send an animated message
You don't need to go to the menu to do this.
Lifehack. Just write any greeting like “Happy Birthday” or “Happy New Year” and send it. The message will be sent with balloons or fireworks.
Owners of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch have more opportunities to communicate and share emotions using . However, when working with the application " Messages"Users may encounter a number of difficulties, for example, lack of access to .
First, let us remind you that the screen with effects is called up by long pressing the arrow button (Submit). For some users, this action does not allow them to open a menu with proprietary animation goodies in the Messages application. The problem is with the function Reduce movement, which disables animation.
ON THIS TOPIC:
Effects in iMessage do not work in iOS 10 on iPhone and iPad. How to fix
1 . Go to the application " Settings» -> « Basic» -> « Universal access».
2 . From the menu, select and click on the option Reduce movement.
3 . Make sure the toggle switch is in the " off».
4 . Return to the application " Messages" Use a 3D Touch gesture or press and hold the button with the blue arrow pointing up.
A layout with all the new effects will appear on the screen. In addition, the effects will now appear in incoming messages.
In addition to the updated " Messages", iOS 10 introduces many other changes and innovations that make interacting with your iPhone or iPad even more dynamic and fun. However, users spend most of their time on “ Messages” and the presence of features such as stickers and effects only contributes to fun and interesting communication.
Detailed review of iOS 10:
One of the biggest changes in iOS 10 is the addition of stickers, large emoji, effects, and drawing tools to iMessage (the Messages app). These are completely new features that allow you to express your emotions more clearly and organize interactive chats with friends.
Some iOS 10 users are reporting that iMessage effects aren't working for them. In addition, some of them do not see the effects sent to them; instead, they receive the text describing the effect.
This was a big disappointment for many as message effects are one of the main features of iOS 10 and all users want to try them. Fortunately, there are several solutions that can help solve this problem. Read on to find out what to do to get iMessage effects working on iOS 10.
How to Fix iMessage Effects in iOS 10
Solution 1: Disable Motion Reduction
The main solution to this problem is to disable the “Reduce Motion” feature, which will disable the parallax effect for application icons and reduce animations. But it appears that this feature is currently causing problems with iMessage effects.
Step 1: Go to Settings -> Accessibility.
Step 2: Go to Reduce Motion. 
Step 3: If the feature is active, turn it off.
Now go back to iMessage and check if you can send effects or view previously received ones. If the problem persists, move on to the next method.
Solution 2: Disable iMessage and then enable it
Step 1: Go to Settings.
Step 2: Scroll down to Messages and open it
Step 3: Turn iMessage off and then back on.
Solution 3: Check the number used in iMessage
Step 1: Go to Settings -> Messages.
Step 2: Open Send/Receive.
Step 3: At the bottom of the screen, find the “Start a new conversation with” section. Select your phone number to make sure iMessages are sent from it.
These were all the tips to help solve the problem of sending and receiving iMessage effects and animations.
If your friends also do not have iMessage effects working, then they need to follow the same steps. Also, make sure everyone has iOS 10 installed.