These are visual enhancements integrated within Apple’s messaging application on iOS devices. These augmentations allow users to send messages with animations like balloons floating across the screen, lasers, confetti, or an emphatic slam effect. These animations can be triggered with the send button, where users can hold down on the button and view the options to send the message with an effect.
These visual features serve to enrich digital communication, enabling a greater range of expression beyond plain text. Their presence within the operating system has introduced a playful and engaging element to everyday interactions, adding a layer of personality and emotion that can sometimes be difficult to convey through standard messaging. The implementation of these features mirrors a broader trend towards incorporating richer multimedia experiences into mobile communication platforms.