Tools to add to your text game

Next, either scroll through the images or type what you’re looking for in the Find Images field. For example, a keyword might be “Love,” “Birthday” or “I’m Sorry.” Choose a GIF and send. 4.

EXPERIMENT WITH EFFECTS. If you know you’re sending to a fellow iPhone user and you’re used to tapping the green circle with an up arrow to send your text message, hold the button a little

longer. The Bubble effect allows you to send your words with one of four delivery flourishes. The Screen effect gives you eight options such as falling confetti, rising balloons or exploding

fireworks to fill the message background. But your Android user friends will be bored: They see only a label describing the special effect in parentheses after your message. IF YOU HAVE AN

ANDROID SMARTPHONE 1. MAKE A BITMOJI. This is a cartoon-like image similar to a Memoji. You’ll need to install the free Bitmoji app, also available for iPhones. Android phones vary, so

follow the app’s instructions. 2. SPEAK YOUR MESSAGE. Or sing a song. Or whistle a happy tune. Similar to an iPhone, Android devices can record your voice in their Google Messages app. Open

the app, choose your recipient and tap the icon made up of six uneven vertical lines, representing sound waves, in the lower right corner of your screen. You should see a pop-up box that

says, “Touch and hold to record audio message.” Lift your finger when you’ve finished recording. The icon transforms into a button that looks like a paper airplane. Press it to send your

voice message or tap the red X to delete if you have second thoughts. 3. ADD ANIMATIONS. It is also possible to send and receive text with animations, but it’s not nearly as straightforward

as on an Apple device. Depending on which brand and model of phone you have and which version of the Android operating system your device is running, you will need to download and install

extra free apps. Look for Bitmoji, Giphy, Mojitok or Tenor in the Google Play or Samsung Galaxy stores. 4. PICK A STICKER. Your phone likely has an array of stickers already installed. Tap

the square smiley face icon inside the box where you’re typing to see what animated GIFs are available. Notice the labels above the drawings. If you tap on each one, you can see options for

each emotion. If you don’t like the selections, tap the “+” icon to see more, or get more stickers in the Google Play or Samsung Galaxy stores. Before you head to one of the app stores,

swipe right once as you’re looking at what’s available on your Samsung Android phone. You’ll see a screen that will allow you to create an emoji of yourself that’s also a bit like an iPhone

Memoji.