Using tapbacks, you can give short responses to received and sent messages on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac. These responses allow you to quickly give your opinion about a message without having to send just one word of text.
Tapbacks are small symbols that you can link to a message, such as a thumbs up, heart, question mark, etc. These short responses are universal, easy to use and can only be used in the Messages application in combination with iMessage.
Emoji or stickers
From iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia and watchOS 11, the short responses have been updated and you can now respond with all emojis. You can also immediately add a sticker as a comment. Previously, the choice was limited to a thumbs up/download, heart, question mark, exclamation marks and laughter. The addition of all emojis allows you to express emotions even better with a simple symbol.
How to use iMessage tapbacks on iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch
- Open the conversation in the messaging app
- Double-tap the message
- Choose a desired tapback
- Tap the emoji icon to choose a different emoticon
- Choose ‘Add sticker’ to respond with a sticker instead of an emoji.
If double-tapping doesn’t work, you can also place your finger on the message and wait a few moments. The tapback window will then automatically appear and you can choose a desired response.
The response is immediately linked to the message and sent to the recipient(s). You can also apply this in a group. Do you want to see which group member posted the tapback? Then all you have to do is place your finger on the comment and an extra screen will appear at the top showing who placed the symbols.
Provide short responses in Messages for Mac
- Open the conversation in the messaging app
- Click on the message and hold the click
- Wait a few moments
- The tapback menu opens
- Choose a desired symbol to link it
- Tap the emoji icon to choose a different emoticon
Do you want to link a sticker via your Mac? Then click with a secondary click (right mouse button) on the message and choose ‘Add sticker’.
If you have a Mac with TouchBar, you can also click on the message and immediately choose a tapback that is displayed in the TouchBar.