How to use Memoji stickers, screen effects and apps in Messages for Mac

The Messages app has been redesigned in macOS Big Sur. The communication tool now includes Memoji stickers, screen effects, apps, and more. If this sounds familiar, you're correct. Each of these features was carried over from iOS and iPadOS. Here's a first look at using these features.

• Using Memoji stickers
• Using Photos
• Using animated GIFs
• Adding effects

Using Memoji stickers

To use Memoji stickers in Messages on Mac:

1. Click on the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Choose an existing conversation or start a new one.
3. Select the App Store icon to the left of the iMessage box at the bottom.
4. Choose Memoji stickers from the list of choices.
5. Select the Memoji sticker you wish to send.
6. Type your message.
7. Click the Return key to send your message.

Creating new Memoji stickers

If you want to create new Memoji stickers to use on Messages for Mac:

1. Click on the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Choose an existing conversation or start a new one.
3. Select the App Store icon to the left of the iMessage box at the bottom.
4. Choose Memoji stickers from the list of choices.
5. Click on the ... at the top left of the box.
6. Select New Memoji

From there, you can create a new Memoji. Once saved, Mac automatically creates a new Memoji sticker pack.

Using Photos

To add images from your Photos library to an iMessage:

1. Click on the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Choose an existing conversation or start a new one.
3. Select the App Store icon to the left of the iMessage box at the bottom.
4. Choose Photos.
5. Use the search tool to find the image to use.
6. Select the image to send.
7. Type your message.
8. Click the Return key to send your message.

Using animated GIFs

You can also add animated GIFs from the web to an iMessage:

1. Click on the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Choose an existing conversation or start a new one.
3. Select the App Store icon to the left of the iMessage box at the bottom.
4. Choose #images.
5. Use the search tool to find an animated GIF to use
6. Select the animated GIF to send.
7. Type your message.
8. Click the Return key to send your message.

Adding effects

Finally, you can now add effects to your messages, including invisible ink, balloons, confetti, and much more.

1. Click on the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Choose an existing conversation or start a new one.
3. Type your message.
4. Select the App Store icon to the left of the iMessage box at the bottom.
5. Choose Message Effects.
6. Click the effect you want to use.
7. Select the up arrow next to your message at the right to send the message.

Coming this fall

Apple will release macOS Big Sur this fall. In the meantime, you can join the public beta program to begin using the update earlier. Besides Messages, macOS Big Sur includes a significant Safari app, a redesign, and more.