How to use iMessage special effects

Over the years the iPhone's Messages app has evolved from a relatively simple messaging program to a sophisticated tool complete with special effects. 

A lot of this is due to iMessage, Apple's proprietary messaging platform (a term many iPhone users erroneously apply to the Messages app itself). We're taking a look at how you can use the special effects in Messages, which go way beyond simple SMS and MMS communication. Since the release of iOS 10, iPhone users have been able to spice up their texting with handwritten doodles, shooting star animations and a lot more.