Confetti effects appear in iMessage, Android Messages, and some third-party apps when you send a message with specific trigger words or through built-in animation menus
Confetti is a visual effect — colorful shapes that animate across your screen when a message arrives or is sent. On iMessage (Apple's messaging app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac), you can trigger confetti by typing certain words like "congratulations" or "happy birthday" and then sending the message. On Android, the built-in Messages app from Google has similar effects, though the trigger words and available animations differ slightly. Third-party apps like Telegram and WhatsApp offer their own animation options, usually accessed through a menu rather than automatic triggers.
The effect plays on the recipient's device when they receive your message, not on yours when you send it. Both people need to be using a compatible app and have animations enabled in their settings for the effect to display.
Key Takeaways
- iMessage confetti triggers automatically when you type words like "congratulations," "happy birthday," or "happy new year" and send the message.
- Google Messages (Android) has confetti and other effects available through a menu icon next to the send button, not through automatic trigger words.
- Both sender and recipient must have animations enabled in their app settings for effects to display.
- Third-party apps like Telegram and WhatsApp have their own animation systems, usually accessed through dedicated buttons or menus.
- Effects work best on newer devices and may not display on older phones or if the recipient has animations turned off.
How to send confetti in iMessage on iPhone or iPad
Open the Messages app and start a new conversation or select an existing one. Type one of the automatic trigger phrases: "congratulations," "happy birthday," "happy new year," "happy Chinese New Year," "happy Diwali," "happy graduation," or "happy retirement." You can type these words alone or as part of a longer message.
Press and hold the send button (the arrow icon) instead of tapping it once. A menu will appear showing different effect options. At the top, you'll see "Screen" effects, which include confetti. Tap "Confetti" to preview how it will look, then release to send. If you typed one of the trigger words, confetti will play automatically when the recipient opens the message, even if you don't manually select it.
If you want to send confetti without using a trigger word, you must use the press-and-hold method to choose it manually from the effects menu.
How to send effects in Google Messages on Android
Open the Google Messages app (this is different from the default Samsung Messages or other manufacturer apps). Type your message in the text field. Look for a star or sparkle icon next to the send button — this is the effects button. Tap it to open the effects menu.
You'll see options like confetti, fireworks, and other animations. Select confetti, and a preview will show how it will appear. Tap send to deliver the message with the effect attached. The confetti will play when the recipient opens the message, provided they also have Google Messages and animations enabled.
Google Messages does not use automatic trigger words like iMessage does. You must manually select the effect each time you want to use it.
Effects in Telegram and WhatsApp
Telegram offers emoji reactions and animated stickers, but not traditional confetti effects like iMessage. You can react to messages with animated emojis by long-pressing a message and selecting an emoji reaction, which will play an animation on both devices.
WhatsApp does not have built-in confetti or screen effects. Some third-party keyboards or input methods may offer animated stickers or effects, but these are not native to WhatsApp itself.
Why effects might not appear on the recipient's phone
The most common reason effects don't display is that animations are disabled in the recipient's settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and toggle on "Allow Motion." On Android with Google Messages, check Settings > Advanced > Animations and ensure it's enabled.
Older devices may not support effects, particularly iPhones running iOS versions before iOS 10 or Android phones more than five to six years old. Network issues can also prevent effects from loading properly — if the message takes a long time to arrive, the animation may not play. If the recipient is using a different messaging app than you (for example, you're on iMessage but they're using a third-party app), effects will not transfer across platforms.
Differences between iMessage, Android Messages, and third-party apps
| App | Confetti Available | How to Trigger | Automatic Trigger Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| iMessage (Apple) | Yes | Press and hold send button, or type trigger word | Yes (congratulations, happy birthday, etc.) |
| Google Messages (Android) | Yes | Tap effects icon next to send button | No |
| Samsung Messages | Limited | Varies by device and Android version | No |
| Telegram | No (emoji reactions only) | Long-press message, select emoji | No |
| No | Not available | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send confetti to someone on Android if I have an iPhone?
Only if they're using Google Messages or another app that supports effects. If they're using a different messaging app, the effect won't display. iMessage effects only work between Apple devices. Text the person and ask which messaging app they use, then switch to that app if you want effects to show up.
Does confetti work in group chats?
Yes, confetti works in group conversations on both iMessage and Google Messages. Everyone in the chat will see the effect when the message arrives, as long as they have animations enabled and are using a compatible app.
Can I create my own trigger words for confetti?
No. iMessage has a fixed list of trigger words that Apple built in. You cannot add custom words. You can always manually select confetti from the effects menu instead of relying on trigger words.
What happens if the person I'm texting has animations turned off?
The message will still arrive, but the confetti animation won't play. They'll see the text normally without any visual effect. The effect is purely visual and doesn't affect the message content itself.
Do effects use extra data or battery?
Effects use a small amount of processing power to animate, but the impact on battery life is minimal — usually unnoticeable. They don't use extra data beyond the normal message size. The animation plays locally on the recipient's device after the message arrives.