You may not have realized that the full gamut of iMessage effects is available on the Mac too—even if Apple’s desktop Messages app doesn’t make it apparent. If you want to send an iMessage with a dose of fireworks, for example, you can do so on the Mac just as you can on an iPhone or iPad. Here’s how to use and send iMessage effects on the Mac.

What you need to send iMessage effects on the Mac

To access all the fun iMessage effects on your Mac, you’ll have to update to at least macOS 11 Big Sur. The Messages app on the Mac was revamped for this version, and it gained the ability to send and receive these text effects for iMessage.

If you haven’t updated already, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your Mac’s screen and go to System Preferences > Software Update. You can also rearrange System Preferences while you’re at it, as it only takes a few seconds and makes all options easier to find. And in case you’re tired of long updates, here’s a quick tip to speed up the macOS update.

How to add effects to iMessage on your Mac

When you’ve updated to macOS Monterey, here’s how to send an iMessage with effects on the Mac:

1. Open the Messages app on the Mac.
2. Go to any iMessage chat or start a new one by clicking the note and pencil icon.
3. Type your message, but don’t send it just yet.
4. Click the A button to the left of your message.
5. Select Message Effects.
6. You’ll be taken to the Send with Effect screen; you can click each of the effects one by one to see a preview of it.
7. When you’re done selecting, click the blue up-arrow button to the right of your message to send it.

The effects include Love, Balloon, Invisible Ink, Confetti, Slam, Lasers, Loud, Celebration, Echo, Spotlight, Fireworks, and Gentle.

[H/t: Casey Liss]