How to Add Emojis to Text Messages

What to Know

  • If you want to use Apple emojis, make sure the emoji keyboard is enabled.
  • Tap the emoji icon while texting to add an emoji or use predictive text.
  • You can use the Search bar to find specific emojis.
How To Add Emojis To Text Messages

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

There are two ways to add iPhone emojis to your text messages: using the emoji keyboard and using predictive text. Both methods require you to have the iPhone emoji keyboard enabled. Once you've done this, you'll be able to choose from a huge array of emojis, including the popular heart emoji, shrug emoji, facepalm emoji, and even clown emoji! Let's learn how.

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How to Enable the iPhone Emoji Keyboard

Before you can send emoji messages, you need to make sure your emoji keyboard is enabled.  To do this:

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  1. In the Settings app, tap General.

    emoji for ios
  2. Tap Keyboard.

    message emoji
  3. Tap Keyboards.

    how to add emojis
  4. If Emoji is not already in the list of available keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard.

    how to do emojis
  5. Tap Emoji. If you can't find it in the list, you can tap the Search bar up top.

    text message emoji
  6. Now, you'll see that the Emoji keyboard has been added to your Keyboards list.

    apple emojis

For more cool ways to get the most out of emojis for iOS, check out our free Tip of the Day newsletter.

How to Add an Emoji to a Text

Now you add iPhone emojis to your text messages in either of two ways. To message an emoji:

  1. Open the Messages app.

    apple emojis
  2. In a message thread, tap the text input field.

    emoji for ios
  3. Tap on the emoji icon on the lower left of the screen.

    message emoji
  4. Tap on the emoji of your choice to insert it into the text field.

    how to add emojis
  5. Tap the Search field to find a specific emoji.

    how to do emojis
  6. Tap back into the text box if you want to continue typing, or move on to the next step.

    text message emoji
  7. Tap the Send icon.

    emoji in iphone

You can also use the emoji search bar add emoji in text messages by simply typing into the text field. For example:

  1. Type, “Want to go to dinner?” and a dish of food, a spoon and fork, and a place setting emoji pop up as options.
  2. To replace the word with the emoji: Tap the emoji.

    emoji options
  3. To keep the word and add the emoji after it: type the word followed by a space, and then tap the emoji.

    use a word and an emoji

That's it! Now you know how to enable your emoji keyboard and use emojis two different ways.

FAQ

  • How do you add your own emoji? You can add custom emoji stickers to your emoji keyboard by long pressing on the subject of a photo and then tapping Add Sticker.
  • Do Androids have Apple emojis? Androids have their own emojis they use in the default messaging app, but apps like WhatsApp use Apple emojis so Android users can send them that way.
  • Why is my keyboard not showing emojis? If your keyboard is not showing emojis, it's likely because you haven't enabled the emoji keyboard. If you can't find emojis in the keyboard list, tap the Search bar and type "emoji" to find the correct option.
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Author Details

Conner Carey's picture

Author Details

Conner Carey

Conner Carey's writing can be found at conpoet.com. She is currently writing a book, creating lots of content, and writing poetry via @conpoet on Instagram. She lives in an RV full-time with her mom, Jan and dog, Jodi as they slow-travel around the country.