35+ Hilarious Text Pranks to Try on Your Friends

Now that you’re all set to bring joy and laughter to your friends’ devices, let’s dive into the list. We’ve gathered some of the most playful and creative text pranks that are sure to keep everyone entertained.

Whether you’re a prank novice or a seasoned trickster, there’s something here for every mood and moment.

Below are 35+ of the best prank ideas to spark your creativity. You can use these messages directly or tweak them to fit your own style.

1. Predictive Text Trap

Send a message that starts making sense but quickly devolves into gibberish. It’s a fun way to confuse your friends and see their reactions as your message turns nonsensical.

• “I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Let’s go to the park and eat a giant pineapple umbrella.”
• “We should meet for dinner at the library, and then we can watch a dancing giraffe.”
• “Are you ready for the big day? Let’s eat a chocolate spaceship with rainbow sprinkles”

2. The Typing Bubble Trick

Now send a series of one-word messages followed by a long pause with the typing bubble (if your messaging app shows it).

Keep them waiting and then send something mundane or trivial to surprise them.

• “Hey… typing bubble… Never mind.”
• “I have a question… typing bubble… Just kidding!”
• “Can you tell me… typing bubble… I forgot what I was saying.”

3. Fake Quiz Response

Start asking them a series of questions as if they’re part of a quiz, but make the questions increasingly bizarre. This prank will amuse and confuse them with odd queries.

• “What’s your favorite color? What’s your pet’s name? How many ducks are too many for a bathtub?”
• “If you could be any fruit, which one would you be? How many socks do you own?”
• “What’s the square root of a pizza? How many pancakes fit in a spaceship?”

4. Phantom Messages

Send a message saying, “Did you get my last message?” when you haven’t sent anything. Follow it up with, “That’s weird, I sent a really long one!” to create confusion.

• “Did you get my last message? That’s weird, I sent a really long one!”
• “I think my phone glitched, did you see my last text? It was about a cat in a hat.”
• “I sent a detailed plan earlier, did you receive it? It was about a secret mission.”

5. Text Bomb

Send a message with a single character or emoji repeatedly, creating a long string of the same thing. This prank will fill their screen and prompt them to ask why.

• “😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂”
• “👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍”
• “💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥”

6. Emoji Translator

You can also turn your conversations into a visual puzzle by responding to all messages using only emojis.

Try to match the tone and content of their messages with appropriate (or deliberately confusing) emojis. This prank tests both your creativity and your friend’s interpretation skills.

Here are some examples:

• “👋😄🍕” (Hi, happy, pizza)
• “🚀🌟🎉” (Rocket, star, party)
• “😢📉💔” (Sad, decline, broken heart)

You can also use an emoji to ask them to interpret the “story.” This will test their emoji deciphering skills.

• 🍕➡️🚶‍♂️➡️🏠➡️😴 (Pizza -> Walk -> Home -> Sleep)
• 🐱🌳➡️🏡➡️🌟 (Cat -> Tree -> House -> Star)
• 🎉🎈🎂➡️🥳🍰 (Party -> Balloon -> Cake -> Celebration -> Cake)

7. Fake Breaking News

Send a message with obviously fake news to catch their attention and see their reaction.

• “OMG, did you hear they’re replacing all traffic lights with disco balls?”
• “Did you see that they’re making a new holiday just for tacos?”
• “Breaking news: All cats are being appointed as city mayors!”

8. Mismatched Conversation

The mismatching conversation is just creating a humorous disconnect. Start responding to their messages as if you’re in an entirely different conversation.

• They: “How was your day?” You: “I can’t wait for the dragon race tomorrow.”
• They: “I need some advice.” You: “The spaceship lands at noon, remember!”
• They: “I’m feeling tired today.” You: “Did you hear about the alien festival?”

9. Non-Sequitur Answers

While mismatched conversations play with the idea of being in an entirely different discussion, non-sequitur answers are about randomness.

They break the flow completely by responding with something entirely unrelated, here are some examples:

• They: “What’s the weather like?” You: “The giraffes are migrating early this year.”
• They: “Do you have plans for the weekend?” You: “The moon is made of cheese, right?”
• They: “Have you seen the new movie?” You: “Elephants dance on trampolines.”

10. Reverse Typing

Well, this is a unique option.

For an entire day, Type your messages backward and see if they can decipher them.

This can be a fun and challenging prank for your friends.

• “sdrawkcab siht daer ot elba eb lliw uoy kniht uoy oD?”
• “uoy htiw erom hcum I fI”
• “wonk I uoy taht od I”
• “sdrawkcab era uoy era doog”
• “yaw ruoy gniod si sI”
• “tseuqer ruoy evah I”

11. Fake Confession

Fake Confession involves making absurd or obviously false confessions.

These can range from secret talents to outlandish claims. What you send here is a dramatic message claiming you have a confession, but reveal something silly or trivial.

The key is to keep a straight text and see how your friend reacts to the surprising revelation.

• “I have to confess something… I’ve been hiding it for a while… I love pineapple on pizza!”
• “I have to confess… I’ve been secretly a professional juggler for years.”
• “I just won the lottery and bought a small island. Want to visit?”
• “I need to admit something… I secretly collect rubber ducks!”
• “Confession time: I’ve been eating dessert before dinner every day.”

12. Photo Prank

Send a photo of a completely random object and act like it has deep significance to create a humorous context.

• “I can’t believe you forgot about this! It was such a special moment.” (with a photo of a spoon)
• “This photo represents our friendship perfectly!” (with a picture of a random rock)
• “Remember this? It was a key moment!” (with a photo of a paperclip)

13. Wrong Lyrics

Start texting lyrics from a well-known song but deliberately get them wrong. This playful prank can lead to funny misunderstandings.

• “Sweet Caroline… good times never smelled so good…”
• “I wanna hold your hand… with a giant rubber band…”
• “Like a rolling stone… with a big ice cream cone…”

14. Time Travel Prank

Time Traveler pranks transport your friend to another era, doesn’t matter whether it’s the past or the future.

By pretending to be texting from a different time period, you create a whimsical scenario that can lead to amusing conversations.

Here Are Some Messages to Use:

• “Wow, 2022 was such a crazy year! Can’t believe it’s already 2025!”
• “Remember when everyone was obsessed with flip phones? What a blast from the past!”
• “It feels like 2019 was just yesterday. Time flies!”
• “Greetings from the year 2050! Hoverboards are finally real, and cats rule the world.”
• “Just checking in from 1922. The flapper party last night was the bee’s knees!”

15. Imaginary Friend

Mention an imaginary friend in your texts and act like they’re real, adding a layer of humor to your conversation.

• “Yeah, Jim and I were just talking about that.” (When they ask, “Who’s Jim?” you say, “My invisible friend. He’s right here.”
• “Just had a chat with Sally about our plans.” (When they inquire, “Who’s Sally?” you respond, “My imaginary friend who loves adventure.”)
• “I was discussing that with Bob earlier.” (When asked, “Who’s Bob?” reply, “Bob is my imaginary friend. He’s very wise.”)

16. Confused Identity Pranks

A confused Identity prank is all about pretending to be someone you’re not.

Whether you’re channeling a famous celebrity or an old acquaintance, these pranks play on the recipient’s initial confusion and curiosity.

It’s a harmless and humorous way to startle your friend, Perfect for a quick laugh!

Messages:

• • “Hey, it’s Chris Evans! I found your number in an old phone. How’ve you been?”
  • “Do you remember that time at summer camp when we caught that giant fish?”

SEE ALSO: 81 Simple & Sweet Farewell Cake Messages for Coworkers

17. Mysterious Puzzle

For those who love a good riddle or puzzle, “Mysterious Puzzle” pranks are an engaging way to keep your friends on their toes.

These pranks involve sending cryptic messages that form a riddle or puzzle. The joy lies in the suspense and the playful mystery, as your friend works through the clues.

• • “I am not alive, but I grow; I don’t have lungs, but I need air. What am I?”
  • “If you can solve this, you’ll find your next clue.”

18. Wrong Number Prank

This prank can range from mundane to bizarre, depending on the fake scenario you create.

It’s all about the reaction—seeing how your friend handles the unexpected twist. These pranks are easy to pull off and always good for a quick chuckle.

• • “Hey, I’m outside with your pizza. But I didn’t order a pizza!”
  • “Is this the pet psychic? My hamster needs a reading.”

19. Sudden Formality

Sudden Formality pranks involve switching to an exaggeratedly polite and proper tone, catching your friend off guard.

The humor stems from the stark contrast and the absurdity of being overly formal in everyday situations.

Examples:

• • “Good day, dear friend. I trust this message finds you in excellent health and high spirits.”
  • “I must respectfully inquire as to the nature of our upcoming engagement.”

20. Overly Concerned Friend

This type of prank taps into the caring friend dynamic, but with a humorous twist. It’s a lighthearted way to show you care, while also having a bit of fun.

Messages:

• • “Hey, are you okay? I heard they ran out of your favorite snack at the store.”
  • “Just checking in—are you surviving without your usual morning coffee?”

21. Alternate Reality Pranks

With Alternate Reality pranks, you’re inviting your friend into a parallel universe where the rules of our world don’t apply.

These pranks involve describing impossible scenarios as if they were normal. It’s a perfect way to explore creative storytelling and give your friend a delightful mental detour.

• • “Did you hear? In this world, it rains chocolate on Tuesdays. Can’t believe we ran out of umbrellas!”
  • “Just saw a penguin flying overhead. They’re getting faster every day!”

22. Secret Agent

Secret Agent pranks are the ones where you pretend to be on a covert mission. These pranks involve using coded language and secretive messages.

Whether you’re discussing “missions” or “packages,” this type of prank is great for those who love a bit of drama and suspense.

• • “The eagle has landed. Repeat: The eagle has landed. Awaiting further instructions.”
  • “The package will be delivered at 0300 hours. Make sure the coast is clear.”

23. Grammar Police Prank

For grammar enthusiasts, “Grammar Police” pranks are a fun way to playfully correct your friend’s language. These messages are all about being pedantic in a humorous way, making it a gentle tease that linguistically-inclined friends will appreciate.

• • “I believe you meant ‘you’re’ instead of ‘your.’ Just looking out for you!”
  • “Affect vs. effect—let’s not mix them up, shall we?”

24. Missing Message Prank

Again, these pranks create suspense and curiosity that can be quite entertaining. It’s a simple but effective way to keep the conversation interesting and playful.

• • “You won’t believe what happened today! It was so shocking when I saw…”
  • “Guess what? I finally found out where…”

25. Silent Treatment Prank

“Silent Treatment” pranks involve replying with minimal text or just using periods & emojis. This prank plays on the discomfort of silence and the expectation of a response.

It’s a subtle way to create tension and amusement, as your friend tries to figure out the reason behind your unusually quiet demeanor.

• • “…”
  • “😶”

26. Random Fact Drop

These pranks involve interjecting random, unrelated facts into the conversation. It’s an unexpected way to steer the conversation and add a bit of trivia to your day.

• • “Did you know that octopuses have three hearts?”
  • “Fun fact: A group of flamingos is called a ‘flamboyance.”

27. Overly Agreeable Pranks

Finally, “Overly Agreeable” pranks involve agreeing with everything your friend says. The humor comes from the unexpected compliance and the increasingly ridiculous things they might say.

It’s a fun way to create a light-hearted, absurd conversation.

• • “I think I’m going to become a full-time mime.”
  • “Absolutely! Miming is the future.”

28. Thesaurus Overload

Well, this prank involves using a thesaurus to find the most elaborate versions of common words, turning a basic conversation into an intellectual puzzle.

It’s a great way to confuse your friends with unnecessarily sophisticated vocabulary.

• “ecstatic” instead of “happy”
• “automobile” instead of “car”
• “diligent” instead of “hardworking”

29. Autocomplete Story

Let your phone do the talking by using only autocomplete suggestions to send messages.

here you’re relying on the predictive text feature, which can lead to hilarious and nonsensical sentences. It’s a fun experiment to see where your phone’s suggestions will take the conversation.

• “I am going to the park and will meet you later at the store.”
• “How about we grab some coffee and chat about the new movie?”
• “Let’s schedule a call for next week and discuss the project details.”

30. The Echo

Become an echo chamber by repeating the last word of every message your friend sends.

This simple but effective prank can quickly become amusing, as your friend realizes you’re just parroting their words.

• Friend: “I just got a new dog.” You: “Dog.”
• Friend: “I’m going to the gym later.” You: “Later.”
• Friend: “I need help with my homework.” You: “Homework.”

31. Caps Lock Stuck

Pretend your keyboard is stuck in caps lock mode and type EVERYTHING IN ALL CAPS.

Insist that your keyboard is broken and apologize for the loud “yelling.” It’s a classic prank that adds a layer of exaggerated urgency or excitement to every message.

• “HEY, I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU WON THE GAME!!!”
• “SORRY FOR THE CAPS, MY KEYBOARD IS BROKEN!”
• “LOOK AT ALL THESE AMAZING THINGS WE CAN DO!!!”

32. Rhyme Time

Challenge yourself to respond to every message in rhymes for a set period. This poetic prank turns your conversation into a whimsical rhyme scheme, adding a playful and lyrical twist.

• “I hope you’re feeling fine, let’s make this day divine.”
• “It’s a sunny, bright day, let’s go out and play.”
• “I’m really feeling great, let’s not make it late.”

33. Fake Autocorrect

Now, Mess with your friend’s head by replacing common words with similar-sounding silly ones. Show that your autocorrect is malfunctioning and accidentally typing strange words.

It’s a clever way to create confusion and laughter!

• “I’m heading to the mall to buy some new shooes.”
• “I just finished watching a great moovie.”
• “Can you meet me at the resturant at 7?”

34. Text-to-Speech Mishap

Pretend that you’re using voice-to-text and it’s wildly misinterpreting you.

Send garbled or nonsensical messages and blame it on the voice recognition software. This prank is great for creating absurd and funny miscommunications.

• “I’m going to the tiff” (Typed: “I’m going to the gym”)
• “Meet you at the staire” (Typed: “Meet you at the stairs”)
• “Don’t forget the speach” (Typed: “Don’t forget the speech”)

35. One-Letter Typo

Here you can misspell one specific letter in every word you type. Consistently making the same typo can be a subtle but effective prank, gradually driving your friend to notice the odd pattern.

• “I cn’t wait for our meetng this weekend.”
• “Let’s get some coffe and chat about the pln.”
• “I’m so excied for the event tonight!”

ALSO READ: 40 Best Replies to The ‘Good Morning’ Texts

Final Thoughts

Texting pranks are all about creating light-hearted moments and memorable experiences.

Whether you’re aiming to surprise someone or just share a laugh, these pranks are crafted to bring joy and smiles all around.

Remember the best pranks are the ones where everyone ends up smiling. If your friend doesn’t quite share the same enthusiasm, a sincere apology will smooth things over.

So, grab your phone, get creative, and enjoy spreading a bit of cheer. Happy pranking!

References

• 12 Simple Ways to Prank Someone over Text
• 14 text message pranks to play on your unsuspecting friends
• 50+ Best And Funny Pranks To Do On Friends