Ever sent a text message and wished your emoji had more impact? The Emphasized Emoji feature on iPhone lets you make your emotions truly stand out in conversations. This article explains what the Emphasized Emoji feature is and shows you how to use it in your messages.
You want your texts to show exactly how you feel, and regular emojis sometimes fall short. We’ll show you step-by-step how to make your emojis bigger and more expressive, so you can communicate your feelings more effectively.
As iPhone users since the first model launched, we’ve tested every messaging feature thoroughly. Our straightforward guide will help you use emphasized emojis right away, making your conversations with friends and family more dynamic and fun.
We’ll also cover which iPhone models support this feature and the best situations to use it. Let’s make your messages more impactful together.
Understanding the Emphasis Feature
I first noticed the emoji emphasis option when Apple added it with iOS 16 in 2022.
What does an emphasized emoji look like? It appears larger than normal text and includes a brief animation effect. The emoji grows bigger on the screen, creating more visual impact.
Try it once and you’ll see the difference.
Emphasized emojis help by:
- Making your feelings clearer
- Catching attention faster
- Adding fun to conversations
Sometimes a regular thumbs-up isn’t enough. But an emphasized thumbs-up shows real excitement or strong agreement.
This feature is perfect for busy group chats where your reactions might otherwise get missed. It highlights important emotions without needing extra words.
How to Create Emphasized Emojis
1. Using the Tap and Hold Technique
I use this method most often because it’s quick. Here’s how you can do it too:
- Open your Messages app
- Start a new message or open an existing chat
- Type your text as normal
- Select an emoji from the emoji keyboard
- After sending, tap and hold on the emoji in your sent message
- Choose “Emphasize” from the pop-up menu
How do you know it worked? You’ll see the emoji grow larger and animate briefly. Your friends will see this emphasized version too, as long as they’re using a compatible iPhone.
This only works in the Messages app, not in other apps.
2. Using the Effects Menu
Sometimes I prefer using the effects menu for more control:
- Type your message with an emoji
- Press and hold the blue send button (don’t tap it)
- A menu will appear with “Bubble” and “Screen” tabs
- Tap on the “Bubble” tab
- Select the “Slam” effect (this emphasizes your entire message)
- Tap the blue send button to send
This method emphasizes everything in your message, not just the emoji. It works well when you want to highlight a short message with an emoji.
You can tell it’s working when you see a preview of how your message will appear. The text and emoji will briefly grow larger when received.
I find Method 1 better for casual chats, while Method 2 works best for important announcements or congratulations.
Types of Emphasis Effects Available
I’ve tried all the different ways to make emojis stand out in my messages. You have several options depending on what feeling you want to show.
Standard Emphasis (Enlarged Size)
This is the basic emphasis that makes your emoji bigger than normal. I use this most often because it’s simple but effective. Your emoji appears about twice the normal size, making it catch the eye right away.
How to use it: Tap and hold any sent emoji, then select “Emphasize” from the menu.
Slam Effect (Impact Animation)
This one makes an entrance!
The Slam effect drops your emoji onto the screen with force. It starts large and then settles into place with a slight bounce. I choose this when I want to show excitement or make a strong point.
Your message hits the screen with impact, perfect for congratulations or big announcements.
Loud Effect (Shake Animation)
When I need to get your attention, I use the Loud effect. It makes your emoji vibrate and shake as if it’s making noise or shouting.
This works best with emojis like:
- Bell
- Megaphone
- Party face
- Exclamation marks
Gentle Effect (Soft Animation)
For kinder, softer emotions, I pick the Gentle effect. Your emoji grows slowly and pulsates softly on screen, almost like it’s breathing.
I find this perfect for:
- Heart emojis
- Thank you gestures
- Friendly smiles
The Gentle effect avoids seeming too intense while still drawing more attention than a regular emoji.
Which effect do you use most often? The right emphasis can change how your whole message feels.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
I’ve tested emphasized emojis across different devices. Here’s what you need to know:
On Android Phones:
- No emphasis effects appear
- Regular-sized emoji shows instead
- No animations or special formatting
- The message still delivers normally
On Older iPhones:
- iOS 16 or newer: Full emphasis and animations work
- iOS 15: Larger emojis appear but with limited animations
- iOS 14 or older: Only regular emoji shows, no emphasis
The emphasis feature only works fully between newer iPhones.
Remember this when messaging friends with different phones or older Apple devices-they might not see the emphasis effect you’ve added, just the basic emoji.
Troubleshooting Emphasized Emoji Issues
Common Problems
Emphasis Option Missing
- Check that you have iOS 16 or newer
- Only works in Apple’s Messages app
- Only works on already sent emojis
Emphasis Not Working
- The recipient has an older iPhone (pre-iOS 16)
- The recipient uses Android
- Your iOS needs updating
Not sure if it’s working? Ask a friend to screenshot how your message appears.
Animations Not Showing
- Low Power Mode might be on
- The Reduce Motion setting might be enabled
- A recipient might have these settings on
Quick Solutions
- Use bubble effects rather than single emoji emphasis
- Suggest updating iOS if they’re comfortable doing so
Remember: Clear words often work better than fancy effects when communicating important messages.
Conclusion
The Emphasized Emoji feature adds a simple but powerful way to express yourself in iPhone messages. By making your emojis larger and animated, you can show stronger emotions and make sure your reactions get noticed.
While this feature works best between newer iPhones, knowing the limitations helps you communicate more effectively with everyone. Try different emphasis styles to match your feelings-from gentle pulses for warm emotions to slam effects for excitement.
Remember that good communication sometimes means choosing the right words alongside your emojis. Now you’re ready to make your messages stand out in all the right ways!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I emphasize multiple emojis at once?
Yes, you can emphasize multiple emojis by selecting them together before applying the emphasis effect through tap-and-hold or the effects menu.
Why can’t some of my friends see my emphasized emojis?
Recipients need iOS 16 or later to view emphasized emojis properly. Android users will see regular-sized emojis without special effects.
Do emphasized emojis work in all messaging apps?
No, emphasized emojis only work natively in Apple’s Messages app. Other apps may not support this iOS-specific feature.
Can I remove emphasis from an emoji after sending?
No, once an emphasized emoji is sent, it cannot be reverted to normal size. You’ll need to send a new message.
Do emphasized emojis use more data when sending?
Emojis use marginally more data than regular emojis due to the animation effects, but the difference is negligible.
