With the UK now in its fourth week of lockdown, many bored Brits have turned to technology to keep in touch with their friends.
Now, iPhone users have discovered a fun trick that lets you send a laser show to your friends.
The trick simply involves typing the words ‘pew pew’ on iMessage to friends who also have an iPhone.
When your friend then opens the message, a laser show will appear on their screen and their iPhone will vibrate.
Several shocked users have taken to Twitter this week to discuss the secret feature.
One user said: “Today I learned that you can type “pew pew” to another iPhone user & it sends laser beams. Learning valuable things in quarantine.”
Another added: “I know I’m probably late, but send the words ‘pew pew’ to another iPhone user on iMessage. Why I am so easily entertained.”
And one joked: “Me and my bf are metres apart and i’ve had two glasses of wine and i think he’s going to drop kick me if i text pew pew one more time.”
The feature has actually been around for years, and the ‘pew pew’ option isn’t the only effect.
If you wish someone a ‘happy birthday’ balloons will float from the bottom of the screen, while if you type ‘Happy New Year’, fireworks will burst across the message!
And if that wasn’t enough, iPhone users can actually add effects to any of their iMessages.
How to add effects to your iMessages
- Open the iMessage app and type a message to your friend
- Hold down the little blue arrow you hit to send
- You’ll then be shown several options for effects to send with the message, including shooting stars, fireworks and a spotlight effect
- Select your effect and send the message
