Use emoji on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

With a tap of your finger, you can bring words to life with emoji.

Add an emoji

Find the emoji keyboard in any app that uses the standard keyboard, such as Mail or Messages. To add an emoji:

  1. Tap the text field, then tap the Emoji buttonNo alt supplied for Image or the globeNext Keyboard button.

  2. Tap the grey icons at the bottom of the keyboard to switch emoji themes, or swipe left or right to view more. Tap the clockFrequently Used Category button to see the emoji you’ve used recently. You can also search for the emoji you want to add in the "Search Emoji" field.

  3. To change the skin tone of certain emoji, touch and hold an emoji.

  4. Tap an emoji to add it to your text field.

    After you’ve added an emoji to your message, tap the Send button.

Tap to replace words with emoji

The Messages app shows you words that you can replace with emoji.

  1. Open Messages and tap the Compose buttonnull to start a new message or go to an existing conversation.

  2. Write your message, then tap the Emoji buttonNo alt supplied for Image or the globeNext Keyboard button on your keyboard.

  3. Wait for the words to turn orange.

  4. Tap an orange word to replace it with an emoji. If there's more than one emoji you could use, the Quick Reply field will display the options to choose from.

  5. Tap the Send buttonsend button to send.

    Tap the emoji button on your keyboard to view the emojis available in Messages.

If you want to replace the emoji with the original word, just tap the emoji.

Use Predictive emoji

With predictive text, you can write and complete entire sentences with just a tap. As you type, you'll see choices for words and phrases you may type next, based on your past conversations and writing style. You'll also see suggestions for emoji that you may want to use. To use a Predictive emoji, write your message and look for the suggested emoji in the predictive input field, then tap it to replace the word or add an emoji.

In iOS 26, predictive text will suggest emojis when you use Messages.

To turn off Predictive text, touch and hold the Emoji buttonNo alt supplied for Image or the globeNext Keyboard button, tap Keyboard Settings, then turn off Predictive.

Can't see the emoji keyboard?

If you can’t see the emoji keyboard:

  1. In the Settings app, tap General.

  2. Tap Keyboard.

  3. Tap Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard.

  4. Tap Emoji.

Learn more

Find out how to create a Memoji to match your personality or mood, all from the Messages app.

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