The quick answer
Audience matters more in a group. Assume that anyone who receives the emoji may see what is inside. Use it for group-appropriate surprises, game clues, shared jokes, or an optional aside—not for content that would hurt someone if it reached the whole thread.
In a group, design for the full audience. Even when only a few people open the emoji, the message should not become harmful if every member sees it. Shared games and callbacks are stronger than exclusion.
Step by step
- Decide whether the message is suitable for every member of the chat.
- Write a concise clue, joke, challenge, or surprise detail in Imp.
- Choose an emoji that signals the theme and post it to the group.
- Explain the reveal for newcomers and continue the activity in the same chat.
Remember: Imp creates and reveals the hidden emoji message. The actual conversation and sharing still happen through the chat app you choose.
Ways to use this idea
Trivia night
Hide the answer or next category and open it only after guesses are in.
Surprise coordination
Reveal one non-critical clue at a time while keeping important logistics clear.
Running joke
Use a recurring symbol whenever a new installment is ready.
Why the format works
Use hidden emojis as occasional highlights. If every line requires a reveal, the format becomes work; when one arrives at the right moment, it feels like an event inside the conversation.
The reveal is strongest when it has a purpose. Use it to create timing, add tone, or reward shared context—not simply to make an ordinary sentence harder to read. A clear hidden line and a well-chosen emoji usually do more than an elaborate code.
Use good judgment
- Never use the feature to coordinate bullying or exclusion.
- Put essential times, locations, and safety information in plain text.
- Check that everyone who needs the message can access Imp on iPhone.
As with any message, the person who receives it may be able to copy, capture, or share what they reveal. Choose the audience and the words accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a hidden message to a whole group?
You can share the Imp emoji in a group thread. Treat the hidden content as visible to the receiving group, even if not everyone opens it.
Does this create a new group in Imp?
No. The group stays in its existing app; Imp creates and reveals the individual hidden messages.
Does the other person need Imp to reveal the message?
Yes. The emoji can travel through an ordinary chat, but the recipient uses Imp on iPhone to reveal the message hidden inside it.
Can a revealed message be copied or screenshotted?
Treat every revealed message as something the recipient could save or share. Imp changes how the message is presented, but it cannot control what another person does after opening it.