iOS 11 Introduces Two New Screen Effects Within Messages Called 'Echo' and 'Spotlight' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iOS 11 Introduces Two New Screen Effects Within Messages Called 'Echo' and 'Spotlight'

Messages users sending texts in iOS 11 this fall will be able to share iMessages with two all-new Screen Effects in Apple's texting app.

Specifically, a new "Echo" option sends any selected piece of text to friends by multiplying the message all over the screen. The second, "Spotlight," puts an emphasis on your message by placing a large spotlight on the text as it's sent over to your friend's iOS device.

No new Bubble Effects have been added to iOS 11, at least not in the first developer beta of the software.

ios 11 screen effects
Screen Effects and Bubble Effects made their debut in iOS 10 last year, where Messages as a whole received a major overhaul thanks to the addition of the Messages App Store. On the new platform, apps have become available to download as miniature versions within Messages, including apps for payments, games, dinner reservations, and stickers.

Messages will be getting another overhaul in iOS 11, although one that's not as big as last year's update. This fall, the app's main new addition will be a redesigned App Drawer for your Messages apps, which are placed as a scrollable toolbar below the texting field. Apps should be easier to access in comparison to iOS 10's user interface, which requires one tap to get into the App Drawer, and another to go to Recents to find the app you want.

Check out the full MacRumors iOS 11 roundup for more features coming to Messages, including peer-to-peer payments using Apple Pay and full chat archive synchronization in iCloud, so transferring over to a new iPhone retains all of your old conversations.

(Thanks, Koohyun Y!)

Related Forum: iOS 11

Popular Stories

MacBook Pro Low Angle Wide Lens

Apple to Launch 'MacBook Ultra' With These Six New Features

Friday April 24, 2026 10:32 am PDT by
While the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro were just updated with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips last month, bigger changes are reportedly around the corner. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the higher-end MacBook Pro models will be receiving a major redesign by early 2027, and he said that Apple might use "MacBook Ultra" branding for them. If so, the MacBook Ultra would likely be a...
Apple TV Thumb 3

Here's What's Coming in the 2026 Apple TV

Thursday April 23, 2026 12:08 pm PDT by
There are a lot of folks waiting for a new version of the Apple TV because the set-top box hasn't been updated since 2022. There is an update coming this year, but people will need to wait a bit longer because Apple is holding the next Apple TV until the new version of Siri comes out this fall. Design Apple TV design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing in 2026. The next...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

This Is What the iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like

Saturday April 25, 2026 10:00 am PDT by
A recent leak provides our best look yet at the design of Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Leaker Sonny Dickson recently shared images of the first iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone dummy models. The images largely conform with rumors about the designs of the three devices and provide the first real visual confirmation of how they will look. ...

Top Rated Comments

Joe Rossignol Avatar
116 months ago
Imagine the poop emoji sent with Echo lol


Attachment Image
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LordQ Avatar
116 months ago
Imagine the poop emoji sent with Echo lol
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
116 months ago
I'd be interested in seeing the full effect rather than just a couple screenshots.

EDIT: An hour later, beta installed, and…



EDIT EDIT: Damn, beaten by a few other posters.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zaft Avatar
116 months ago
I enjoy all these effects iMessage is awesome, my friends/family and I enjoy group iMessage as well. A lot of fun.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yanki01 Avatar
116 months ago
i forgot about those features.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iObama Avatar
116 months ago
MacRumors if Apple doesn't do fun stuff / "Why doesn't Apple compete with Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp? It's 2017, they should at least have x, y, and z feature. I love this company, but they've lost their magic."

MacRumors when Apple does fun stuff / "THIS IS SO STUPID." "I just want to send a text." "More bloatware to slow down iOS 11." "These got old so fast." "Maybe instead of spending time on this, they should update the Mac mini because clearly you can only work on one of those at the same time." ":rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:" "Watch bands!!!!!"
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)