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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “iPhone Whale” is an epic card of the Memes World series 70, number 20855 of the collection, and the 66th best-known meme of its 243 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “iPhone Whale” meme mean?
This meme expresses gentle absurdity and the charm of retro mobile messaging. It carries no heavy political or satirical message; its appeal lies in the naivety of ASCII art within a dated technological context. Users employ it to share light-hearted moments, playing on the nostalgia for old interfaces and the simple graphics that contrast with modern complex emojis.
Where does the “iPhone Whale” meme come from?
The iPhone Whale meme originated from a screenshot posted on Tumblr by user DaringCatastrophe on September 7, 2011. The image showed a conversation via the iPhone iChat app, featuring an adult whale and a baby version, both composed using dots and underscores. The next day, this image was shared on Reddit by user SweetAlmighty under the title 'Life of a Whale Biologist'. Tumblr served as the primary catalyst, allowing the content to spread rapidly to other social networks like Reddit. No TV show or public figure is associated with the initial creation; it was an organic phenomenon born from early digital visual humor.
- 2011Original screenshot published on Tumblr by DaringCatastrophe on September 7.
- 2011Widespread sharing on Reddit by SweetAlmighty under the title 'Life of a Whale Biologist' on September 8.
How to use the “iPhone Whale” meme
- Recreate the whale in your instant messages to add a touch of playful nostalgia to a mundane conversation.
- Parody the original format by replacing the whale with other simple animals or objects to create humorous variations.
- Share the vintage image on social media to evoke the minimalist aesthetic of early mobile messaging days.
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The “iPhone Whale” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 20855 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Collection | Memes World series 70 |
| Fame | 79/100 · #66 of 243 |
| Recycle value | 20 MemeCoins (60 in Shiny) |
How to get the “iPhone Whale” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; iPhone Whale comes out of the Memes World series 70 as an epic card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 20 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “iPhone Whale”
More cards of the Memes World series 70
Frequently asked questions
What is the iPhone Whale meme?
It is a whale drawn with text characters in an iChat discussion bubble, which went viral in 2011.
Who created the iPhone Whale meme?
Tumblr user DaringCatastrophe posted the original screenshot on September 7, 2011.
Where does the iChat whale image come from?
It comes from a real iPhone conversation showing an adult whale and a baby, composed in ASCII art.
Why is the iPhone Whale meme popular?
Its success lies in the adorable simplicity of the drawing and the nostalgia for old messaging interfaces.
How do I get the iPhone Whale meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “iPhone Whale” is an epic card of the Memes World series 70. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the iPhone Whale card?
It is an Epic card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: iPhone Whale - Know Your Meme · iPhone | Know Your Meme · Apple - Know Your Meme · checked on October 11, 2026.
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