Apple could add new text effects to iMessage in iOS 18. One of the effects reportedly includes the ability to animate individual words in a message.
iMessage, Apple’s proprietary instant messaging service, already supports many message effects and animations to add some excitement to texts. The possible new text effects in iOS 18 should make things even more eye-catching and fun.
Text effects coming to iMessage in iOS 18
iMessage, which handles messages between Apple devices, currently supports bubble or full-screen effects. In the former, the animations play only in the bubble containing the words in your chat. In the latter, they take over the entire screen, filling it with balloons, hearts, lasers and whatnot. iMessage does not support text effects, but this might change with iOS 18 later this year.
A MacRumors report says iOS 18 will add a new text effects feature to iMessage, allowing you to animate individual words in a message. There could be other changes in store, but they are not yet known.
Rumors suggest iOS 18 could get a generative AI-powered custom emoji tool. This feature should also be available in iMessage, letting you express yourself better. Apple already confirmed it will add support for Rich Communication Services, aka RCS, later this year for an enriched cross-platform experience for messaging with Android users.
Apple also needs to add text formatting support in iMessage
Despite supporting many advanced effects and animations, iMessage lacks basic text-formatting options. You cannot bold, italicize or underline your messages.
WhatsApp, the biggest messaging service outside the United States, misses out on advanced effects like you’ll find in iMessage. However, it offers a variety of text-formatting options, including numbered and bulleted lists. Here’s hoping Apple addresses this iMessage limitation in iOS 18 and adds text formatting options similar to WhatsApp.
