Greetings schoodle,
I understand that you're unable to get the bubble effects working in the Messages app on your iPhone 5s. I'd be glad to offer you some assistance with this!
Instead of tapping on the up arrow like you described, you'll need to touch and hold to preview the bubble effects. Take a look at the following information that goes over how to use these effects:
With iMessage, you can animate a single message with a bubble effect or fill the entire message screen with a full-screen effect. You can even send a personal message with invisible ink.
Use a bubble effect. After you type a message, press
(touch and hold
on devices without 3D Touch). Tap the choices to preview different bubble effects. Tap
to send.
Tip: Want to send a personal message? When you use invisible ink, the message remains blurred until the recipient swipes to reveal it.
Use a full-screen effect. After you type a message, press
(touch and hold
on devices without 3D Touch), then tap Screen. Swipe left or right to preview different screen effects. Tap
to send.
iMessage automatically uses the following screen effects for specific text strings:
-
Balloons for “Happy birthday”
-
Confetti for “Congratulations”
-
Fireworks for “Happy New Year”
Animate messages - iPhone
Cheers!