Best April Fools Pranks Over Text: Hilarious Gags to Send This April 1st

April Fools’ Day is perfect for showcasing your sense of humor and pulling off a harmless prank. With the world increasingly reliant on texting and messaging apps, playing pranks over text has become one of the easiest and most effective ways to fool your friends and family. Whether you’re looking for subtle gags, laugh-out-loud jokes, or clever wordplay, we’ve compiled the best April Fools pranks over text to keep the fun rolling. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various categories of pranks, from witty one-liners to ongoing ruses, all designed to be executed through a simple text message. These pranks are lighthearted, safe, and sure to make your recipient chuckle (or groan) in amusement. Let’s dive in!
Classic Text-Based Pranks
These tried-and-true pranks never go out of style. Simple yet effective, they’re perfect for April 1st mischief.
“Gullible isn’t in the dictionary.”
Send: “Did you know ‘gullible’ isn’t in the dictionary?”
This classic joke works because it’s so unexpected. Most people instinctively go to check a dictionary or Google, only to realize they’ve been fooled.
Fake Typing Indicator
Send a GIF or video of a fake “typing” bubble from iMessage. It’ll keep your friend waiting, confused, and ultimately amused when nothing follows.
Confusing Countdown
Send: “It’s happening in 10 minutes. Be ready.”
Let them become curious or anxious, then reveal: “April Fools!”
Wordplay and Puns
Wordplay can be a helpful way to prank your friends. Here are a few funny text pranks that involve clever language.
Emoji Story Puzzle
Send a series of emojis and say: “Guess the story!” But make it completely nonsensical. For example: 🚀🍇🥒🙈✨💀. Then act shocked when they can’t figure it out.
Misleading Autocorrect
Tell your friend: “My phone has this weird autocorrect thing. For some reason, it replaces the word ‘yes’ with ‘banana’.” Then, whenever they ask a yes-or-no question, reply with “banana.”
Backwards Text
Send a message with all the words spelled backward. For example, “uoY evah ot ees siht!” and watch them struggle to decode the message.
Tech-Inspired Text Pranks
Playoff people’s expectations of how technology behaves to trick them into believing something strange is happening.
Fake Subscription Service
Send: “Thank you for subscribing to Daily Dad Jokes Premium! You’ll receive a new joke every hour. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.” Then, proceed to send groan-worthy dad jokes for the next hour.
Fake Virus Alert
Send a screenshot of a fake virus warning and say, “I just got this after you sent me that link! What did you do?!” Follow up quickly with “April Fools!”
Screenshot Deception
Send a screenshot of their home screen or messages to make them think something’s wrong with their phone. It works best if you can crop or edit the screenshot slightly.
Texting Someone as the Wrong Person
Create confusion by pretending you’re someone else entirely.
“Wrong Number” Joke
Text: “Hey, is this the number for the alpaca rental service? I need three for my wedding tomorrow.”
Secret Mission
Send: “The eagle has landed. Proceed with Operation Tater Tot.” Then follow up: “Wrong number? Oh no. You’ve seen too much.”
Pretending to Know a Secret
Text: “I know what you did…” Then, after a dramatic pause, follow it up with something silly like, “You left dishes in the sink again!”
Extended Pranks Over the Day
If you want to commit, try one of these long-running text pranks that span several hours or the whole day.
Daily Horoscope Nonsense
Pretend you’ve taken up astrology and send them ridiculous horoscope predictions based on their sign. Example: “As a Pisces, today you’ll be attacked by a goose. Avoid parks.”
Text-Only Scavenger Hunt
Send them on a mad goose chase by giving them absurd clues that lead nowhere. Be creative and end it with: “Your final clue: Look deep within yourself… and realize it’s April Fools.”
The Echo Prank
Whatever they say, you repeat. Every. Single. Text. It gets old quickly—and that’s what makes it so funny.
Friendly Relationship and Family Pranks
Keep things light and fun, especially when texting siblings, partners, or parents.
“We need to talk…”
Start the conversation with a serious tone: “We need to talk…” After a suspenseful pause, reveal: “about how awesome you are. April Fools!”
Pregnancy or Engagement Fake-Out (Use Caution!)
Send: “I have big news… I’m engaged/pregnant!” Then, follow-up immediately with an April Fools message. Only use this one if you know your audience will take it well!
Silly Nicknames
Change their contact name in your phone, screenshot it (like “Supreme Waffle Master,” for example), and send it to them without an explanation.
Group Chat Chaos
If you’re part of a group chat, here’s how to collectively spread some April Fools fun.
Start a Fake Argument
Create an utterly made-up reason to be mad at someone and rope a few people into reacting before you reveal the joke.
Announce a Group Name Change
Tell everyone you’re rebranding the group and suggest ridiculous names like “Flat Earth Society” or “Potato Lovers United.”
Fake Exit
Send a dramatic “I’m leaving this group for good” message, then follow it with “April Fools!” once the reactions pour in.
Final Thoughts
April Fools’ Day is all about spreading laughter and having a good time. The best April Fool’s pranks over text are the ones that surprise, amuse, and entertain without crossing any lines or causing genuine distress. Whether you’re texting your best friend, partner, or favorite group chat, these pranks will surely bring some chuckles.
You May Also Read: April Fools’ Pranks for Students by EssayPro (That Won’t Get You in Trouble!)