Invisible Ink does not work

Question

Level 1

8 points

Invisible Ink does not work

Hello!

I have an IPhone 5se, with iOS 10.2

I'm trying to send an sms with invisible ink, but the person who is receiving (also an iPhone 5 with iOS 10.2 user) sees the sms as usually, followed by 2 brackets where is written "invisible ink". Also I can't send ballons, confetti.

Where is the problem?

Thanks!

Posted on Jan 19, 2017 9:20 AM

Reply

Answer 1

MoonJ.

Community Specialist

Jan 20, 2017 2:08 PM in response to User0984

Hello User0984,

Thanks for that info and choosing the Apple Support Communities. Based on what you stated, it seems you are having issues with the message effects on your iPhone, as the person you send it to doesn't receive it as an effect. The good news is this doesn't sound like an issue with your iPhone, but some settings on recipients iPhone, according to this article:

If you have Reduce Motion on, you can't receive message effects.

Use message effects with iMessage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Reduce screen motion on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Cheers!

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Answer 2

Teddy_B

Community Specialist

Jan 21, 2017 10:16 AM in response to User0984

Thanks for replying, User0984, and that additional info, it really helps! Just to make sure, is Reduce Motion turned off on your iPhone and the person you're sending these messages to at Settings > General > Accessibility > Reduce Motion? If this is turned off on both iPhones, then restart both iPhones and test this again as the shut down and start up process is important to keep the iOS software running properly. iOS clears cached data and does other system optimizations when you turn your device off and on. Let us know the results of this test. We'll help you get through this.

Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Have a great day and thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

Reply

Answer 3

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Jan 27, 2017 1:50 PM in response to User0984

Thanks for that update, User0984. At this point, we would like you to reinstall iOS on your device; this will help us isolate the situation further. Reinstalling iOS should not affect any of your data, but it is always a best practice to make sure you have a current backup in either iTunes or iCloud.

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Import photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Once you have a current backup, follow the steps from the "If your device turns on but gets stuck during start up" section in this article:

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't turn on

These steps will reinstall iOS. Keep in mind that these steps were written for a different issue, but they will still help us isolate the situation further. Have a great day!

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Answer 4

brenden dv

Community Specialist

Jan 23, 2017 7:23 AM in response to User0984

We appreciate you doing those steps, User0984. Since you're still having this issue at this point, we would like you to force close the Messages app on both devices, then go to Settings > Messages, turn off iMessage and then turn iMessage back on. Then test this issue with the iMessage effects again and let us know what happens, we're here to help you through this.

Best Regards!

Reply

Answer 5

Apr 20, 2017 9:45 AM in response to chuck_3rd

Hey. Just bought two brand new iPhone 7s, on both of them reduced motion is set to off, and still one phone can not receive an "invisible" message from the other. The "hidden" text appears immediately, on the locked screen and within the messages app. Not hidden at all. What's your advice?

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