A new messaging app for iOS10 called Phoneys allows a message sender to create layered messages, one of which will look like it came from the recipient. It's a bit confusing at first, but it's actually a clever way of pranking your friends.
The iMessaging app, which is only available for iOS10, uses "stickers" that go along with a message. These "stickers" are actually pre-made phrases and a user can type a response to these stickers, as if it came from the recipient.
The app works by using iOS10's layering feature for stickers, which allows stickers to be placed over incoming text messages. Phoneys, however, works in a more mischievous manner.
To use the app after downloading it, you begin by looking for a text message sent by someone. Once you found the message you want, select one of the 28 Phoneys stickers and drag it to replace the said message.
But you don't stop there. You need to immediately send a response to the fake message to complete the process of confusing your unknowing victim.
Sticker phrases include "You're so smart", "My political views are totally wrong" and "I have terrible taste in music". The theme is apparently anything that a person might not really say to someone in normal circumstances.
Here's an example of the app in action:
The app's creator, Adam Howell, got the idea when talking to a friend. "I noticed how you could completely cover up texts with stickers. I started joking with a friend that I could maybe make him say anything I wanted," he said.
Phoneys is Howell's second app for his company called Mocksy. His first creation, Guises, lets users place stickers over photos in iMessage.
Howell says he is going to work on an update to Phoneys, which let users customize stickers to say whatever they want.
Phoneys is available for download at $0.99 in the App Store.
