Ever wanted to send a secret message that disappears after it’s been read? With your iPhone, you can do just that by using invisible ink! It’s a fun way to add some mystery to your messages, and it’s super easy to do. In a few quick steps, you’ll be on your way to sending hidden messages that will leave your friends wondering how you did it.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Do Invisible Ink on iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about what we’re aiming to achieve here. Using the invisible ink feature on your iPhone, you can send messages that are obscured until the recipient swipes over them, revealing the hidden text or image. It’s a neat way to surprise someone with a message or just have a bit of fun.
Step 1: Open Messages App
Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
The Messages app is where all your text conversations happen. If you’ve never used it before, it’s the green icon with a white chat bubble.
Step 2: Start a New Message or Open an Existing Conversation
Tap the compose icon to start a new message or select an existing conversation.
The compose icon looks like a pencil inside a square. It’s located in the top right corner of the screen. If you want to send an invisible ink message to someone you’ve already been texting, just tap on their conversation.
Step 3: Type Your Message
Type out the message you want to send with invisible ink.
Make sure it’s something that will surprise or delight the person you’re sending it to. Remember, the fun is in the reveal!
Step 4: Press and Hold the Send Button
Press and hold the blue send button after you’ve typed your message.
The send button is the upward-pointing arrow on the right side of the text input field. Don’t just tap it – hold it down!
Step 5: Select “Invisible Ink”
Slide your finger up to the “Send with Invisible Ink” option and release.
You’ll see a preview of how your message will look to the recipient. It will be covered in sparkly pixels until they swipe it.
After you complete these steps, your message will be sent with invisible ink. The recipient will see a blurry message that they’ll have to swipe over to reveal the hidden text. It’s a fun way to add some excitement to your conversations, and it works for both text messages and images.
Tips on How to Do Invisible Ink on iPhone
- Make sure your iPhone is updated to at least iOS 10, as earlier versions do not support this feature.
- Invisible ink messages can only be sent to other Apple devices. If the recipient doesn’t have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, they won’t be able to see the effect.
- If you’re sending a photo with invisible ink, the recipient will have to swipe over the photo to reveal it, just like with text.
- Keep in mind that while the message is hidden at first, it will remain visible after it’s been swiped.
- Have fun with it! Send secret plans, surprise announcements, or just a silly message to make someone smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send invisible ink messages to Android users?
No, invisible ink messages can only be sent and correctly viewed by Apple users.
The recipient’s device needs to run on iOS or macOS to properly reveal the hidden message.
Will the message stay invisible forever?
No, once the message has been swiped and revealed, it will stay visible.
Think of invisible ink as a one-time reveal, not a permanent hiding solution.
Can I use invisible ink on video messages?
Yes, invisible ink works on video messages in the same way it does for text and photos.
The recipient will need to swipe over the video message to reveal and play it.
Is there a way to resend an invisible ink message?
You can resend a message with invisible ink by following the same steps as before.
Just remember that once a message is revealed, it can’t go back to being invisible.
Can I use invisible ink in group messages?
Absolutely! Invisible ink works just the same in group messages as it does in individual conversations.
Just bear in mind that everyone in the group will see the effect when they reveal the message.
Summary
- Open Messages app
- Start a new message or open an existing conversation
- Type your message
- Press and hold the send button
- Select “Invisible Ink”
Conclusion
There you have it, folks – the ins and outs of using invisible ink on your iPhone. It’s a neat little feature that can add an element of surprise and playfulness to your messaging. Whether you’re planning a surprise party and want to keep the details under wraps, or you just want to send a goofy message to a friend, invisible ink is a great way to go about it. Just remember that the feature is exclusive to Apple devices and that the hidden message is only temporary. So the next time you’re itching to send something special, give invisible ink a whirl and watch your recipient’s delight as they uncover your secret message. Happy texting!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.