What "fireworks" means in text and where you can use them
Fireworks in text are animated effects that burst across your screen when you send or receive a message. They are not actual images you insert into the text itself — they are animations triggered by specific words or phrases, or by tapping a button before you send. The effect plays on both the sender's and receiver's screen.
Fireworks work on iMessage (Apple's messaging system for iPhone, iPad, and Mac), and some Android phones have similar features through Google Messages or Samsung Messages. The exact effects available depend on which app you use and which phone operating system you have. Desktop versions of these apps usually do not show the animations.
These effects are purely visual and do not change the actual text of your message. The person receiving it will see both the message and the animation, as long as their phone supports the feature.
Key Takeaways
- iMessage fireworks trigger automatically when you type certain words like "congrats" or "happy birthday," or you can add effects manually before sending.
- To add effects manually on iPhone, press and hold the send button, then tap "Screen" or "Bubble" to choose your animation.
- Android users with Google Messages can long-press the send button to access similar animated effects, though the selection differs from iMessage.
- Both sender and receiver must have a phone that supports these effects to see the animation play.
- Fireworks and other effects work only on the mobile app, not on desktop or web versions of messaging platforms.
How to add fireworks on iPhone with iMessage
On iPhone, you have two ways to trigger fireworks: automatically through certain words, or manually by choosing an effect before you send. The automatic method works when you type words like "congrats," "happy birthday," "happy new year," "happy anniversary," or "happy holidays." When you send a message containing one of these phrases, fireworks automatically play on both screens.
To add fireworks manually, open the Messages app and type your message. Do not tap the send button yet. Instead, press and hold the blue send button (the arrow) until a menu appears. Tap "Screen" at the top of the menu. A new screen shows you different effect options: fireworks, balloons, confetti, hearts, lasers, and shooting stars. Tap "Fireworks" to select it, then tap "Send" to deliver the message with the animation attached.
The receiver will see your message appear with the fireworks effect playing across their screen. If they have an older iPhone or are using a non-Apple messaging app, they will still receive your message, but the animation will not play on their end.
How to add effects on Android with Google Messages
Android phones running Google Messages (Google's default messaging app on many Android devices) have a similar feature, though the effects available are slightly different. Open Google Messages, type your message, and press and hold the send button. A menu appears with options including "Fireworks," "Confetti," "Celebration," and others depending on your phone model and app version.
Tap the effect you want, then release. Your message will send with that animation. Like iMessage, both phones must support the feature for the receiver to see the effect. If the receiver uses a different messaging app or an older Android phone, they will receive the text but not the animation.
Samsung Messages (on Samsung phones) and some other Android messaging apps have their own effect systems, but the steps vary. Check your app's menu or settings if you do not see an effects option when you press and hold the send button.
Automatic words that trigger effects on iMessage
iMessage recognizes specific words and phrases and automatically plays matching effects without you having to manually select them. Typing "congrats" or "congratulations" triggers confetti. "Happy birthday" plays balloons. "Happy new year" plays fireworks and confetti. "Happy anniversary" plays hearts. "Congratulations" on a major life event can also trigger effects.
These automatic effects are built into iMessage and work across all compatible iPhones and iPads. You do not need to do anything special — just type the phrase and send normally. The effect plays automatically when the message is delivered.
The exact list of trigger words changes occasionally as Apple updates the feature. If you type a phrase you think should trigger an effect and it does not, try the manual method instead by pressing and holding the send button.
Why effects might not show up
If you send a message with fireworks but the other person does not see the animation, the most common reason is that their phone does not support the feature. iMessage effects require iOS 10 or later on iPhone, or macOS Sierra or later on Mac. Android effects require Google Messages or a compatible messaging app on a recent Android phone.
If both phones support effects but the animation still does not play, check that you are both using the messaging app that supports effects — not a third-party app or SMS. iMessage effects only work within iMessage conversations, not in regular text message (SMS) conversations. On Android, effects work in Google Messages but may not work if the receiver uses a different app.
Desktop and web versions of messaging apps do not display these animations, even if both phones support them. If you are messaging from a computer, the effects will not show on either end.
Other text effects beyond fireworks
iMessage offers several animated effects beyond fireworks. The "Screen" effects (which play across the entire screen) include balloons, confetti, hearts, lasers, and shooting stars. There are also "Bubble" effects, which animate the message bubble itself rather than the background. These include slam (the bubble hits hard), loud (the bubble shakes), gentle (the bubble floats), invisible ink (the message is hidden until tapped), and echo (the bubble repeats).
To access bubble effects, press and hold the send button, tap "Bubble," and choose your animation. Bubble effects are more subtle than screen effects and work well for emphasis or playfulness without overwhelming the screen.
Android messaging apps have their own set of effects that vary by app and phone model. Google Messages includes effects like fireworks, confetti, celebration, and others. Samsung Messages has additional options on Samsung phones. Explore your app's menu to see what is available on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add fireworks to a message I already sent?
No. Effects must be added before you send the message. Once a message is delivered, you cannot add or change its animation. You would need to send a new message with the effect attached.
Do fireworks work if I text someone with an Android phone from an iPhone?
It depends on the messaging app. If you are using iMessage to text another iPhone user, fireworks work. If you are texting an Android user, the message converts to SMS (regular text) and effects do not play, even if you selected them. The Android user will receive the text but not the animation.
Can I create my own custom fireworks effect?
No. You can only use the built-in effects that Apple or your phone's manufacturer provides. You cannot design or upload custom animations for text messages in iMessage or Google Messages.
Will the other person know I added an effect to my message?
They will see the animation play when they receive the message, but there is no notification saying "this message has an effect." The animation just appears as part of the message delivery.
Do effects use more data or battery than regular messages?
No. Effects are processed on your phone and the receiver's phone, not sent as extra data. They use a tiny amount of processing power to animate, but the impact on battery and data usage is negligible.