Secret iPhone codewords that trigger hidden effects revealed – including ‘pew pew’ and ‘selamat’

THERE'S a clever trick on iPhone that lets you send special animations to your mates. All it takes is a secret codeword over iMessage and it'll illuminate your friend's screen.

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The feature has been available on iPhone for some time, but Apple fans began posting about it on social media again recently. Alongside a laser light show, you can also make balloons float up from the bottom of your mate's screen on their birthday. When January rolls around, fireworks will burst across the message if you wish someone “happy new year”. We've put together a list of the best effects below.

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How to send an iMessage screen effect

To send a fun animation to someone, simply type one of the codewords below into iMessage. The recipient must have an iPhone for the effect to show. If you'd rather not use a codeword, you can always hold down on the blue send button after typing out your message.

This will present you with a list of effects you can add to any message of your choosing.

iMessage screen effect codewords

• 'Pew pew' - laser light show
• 'Happy birthday' - balloons
• 'Congratulations' - confetti
• 'Happy New Year' - fireworks
• 'Happy Chinese New Year' - red explosion
• 'Selamat' - confetti

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Other iMessage screen effects

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After you've typed out a message, you can tap and hold the blue send button to attach any of the following.

• Eco - Fills the screen with message bubbles
• Spotlight - Puts a spotlight on your message
• Balloons - Balloons rise up from the bottom of your screen
• Confetti - Confetti rains down
• Love - Large heart bulges from your message
• Lasers - Laser light show
• Fireworks - Fireworks explode on your screen
• Shooting star -  A shooting star fires across the screen
• Celebration - A red firework show appears

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