Use special camera effects in Messages

Take a photo

Open the Messages app, create a new message or open a previous conversation, and press the camera icon to take a photo. Press the star-shaped effects icon on the left.

Choose an effect

It has always been possible to add effects after photographs have been taken, but now they can be added to a live camera view. To preview filters, tap the filter icon.

Comic effects

A filters panel appears at the bottom of the screen. Swipe left and right over them and tap one to select it. This is a live camera view before the photo has been taken.

View all filters

Swipe up over the filter drawer to see all the filters displayed on the screen. Tap the filter you would like to use and then close the filter drawer or press ‘Done’.

Create animojis

Instead of filter effects, you might want to use Animojis. In Messages, press the camera icon, then the effects icon, and press the Animoji icon. New Animojis are at the end.

Browse animojis

Like the filters feature, swipe up over the Animoji panel to see all the Animoji characters that are available. Select the one you want to use and then close the panel.

Animojis and filters

Tap the filters button and special effects will be applied to the camera image with the Animoji. Swipe over the filters at the bottom and select the one to use. It’s all live.

Add stickers

Where previously we had to apply effects, text and filers after taking an image, now it can be done before on the live image. Tap the ‘Aa’ button, select a shape and add it.

Position stickers

After creating a sticker or speech bubble, it probably won’t be in the right position, so press and drag it to move it. Press ‘Done’ at the top to add the image to the message.