How to use Message effects in macOS Big Sur

Messages in Big Sur is a lot more like the Messages app on iOS devices. For example, you can use Message Effects to spice up messages, find GIFs and insert photos. 

Click on the little “A” on the left of the text bar to see a dropdown list of the options.

You can choose from Photos, Memoji Stickers, #images (which allows you to search for images), and Message Effects. 

You can manually choose from a variety of predefined animated effects with Big Sur Messages.

Select an existing conversation or start a new one. 

Click on the little “A” on the left of the text bar to see a dropdown list of the options.

Choose Message Effects on the menu.

You can pick from a variety of choices including Love, Balloons, Confetti, Slam, Lasers, etc. options including balloons, confetti, fireworks, love, and more depending on the theme of the message or your mood.

If you want to send a private message, choose the Invisible Link effect. With it, your message will remain blurred until the recipient clicks on it.