WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the fun features of WhatsApp is the ability to send emojis or emoticons to express emotions and ideas during conversations. WhatsApp comes with a default set of emojis, but many users want to know if they can use their own custom emojis as well.
The short answer is yes, it is possible to add custom emojis to WhatsApp. However, the process is a bit complex and requires using third-party apps. In this detailed article, we will explore how to add custom emojis to WhatsApp on both Android and iOS devices.
Methods to Add Custom Emoji on WhatsApp
There are a few different methods you can use to add custom emoji to WhatsApp:
- Use third-party keyboard apps on Android
- Jailbreak your iPhone and use tweaks/themes
- Use the Google Drive method
- Convert images to Stickers and import them
We will go through each method in detail below.
Use Third-Party Keyboard Apps on Android
One of the easiest ways to get custom emoji on Android is by using a third-party keyboard app. These keyboard apps allow installing custom emoji packs, which can then be used in any app on your phone, including WhatsApp. Here are some recommended Android keyboard apps that support custom emojis:
- Gboard
- SwiftKey
- Fleksy
- TouchPal
- Kika Emoji Keyboard
The process of adding custom emojis using these keyboards is fairly simple:
- Download and install the keyboard app from the Play Store
- Open the keyboard settings and enable the keyboard as active
- Look for the emoji customization options in the app and import an emoji pack
- The custom emojis will now show up like regular emojis
- Open WhatsApp, switch to the new keyboard and you can send the custom emoji
There are lots of emoji packs and themes available for these keyboard apps, so you have plenty of options to choose from. This method works seamlessly and lets you use the new emoji anywhere on your phone.
Jailbreak your iPhone and use Tweaks/Themes
For iOS users, the process is a bit more complicated. To get full custom emoji support on iPhone, you need to jailbreak your device first. Jailbreaking removes some of Apple’s restrictions and allows installing tweaks and themes.
Here are some of the recommended tweaks/themes for custom WhatsApp emoji after jailbreaking an iPhone:
- EmojiLibrary
- EmojiPort
- EmojiAttributes
These tweaks allow importing external emoji packs and using them in WhatsApp and other apps. The process involves:
- Jailbreak your iPhone with Unc0ver or checkra1n
- Add the tweak source to Cydia and install the emoji tweak
- Respring your iPhone for changes to take effect
- Find and install emoji packs for the tweak
- New emoji will now be available across iOS, including WhatsApp
While this method gives you the most flexibility, jailbreaking does come with its own risks. Make sure to do proper research before jailbreaking your iPhone.
Use the Google Drive Method
This clever workaround lets you add custom emoji to WhatsApp without requiring any third-party apps. Here are the steps:
- Find some custom emoji images you want to use (transparent PNG recommended)
- Upload the emoji images to Google Drive in a folder
- On your phone, open the Google Drive app and open the emoji folder
- Long press on an emoji image and select “Add to WhatsApp”
- This will save the emoji image in a format WhatsApp can read
- Open WhatsApp, go to the emoji panel, and your custom emoji will be there!
This method utilizes WhatsApp’s built-in sticker support to sneak in custom emojis. The only catch is that your custom emoji will show up slightly larger than normal. But it does work reliably.
Convert Images to Stickers and Import
WhatsApp allows importing custom stickers from third-party apps. We can leverage this to add custom emoji by converting image files into WhatsApp sticker format.
Here are the steps for this method:
- Find an app for converting images to WhatsApp stickers (options below)
- Select images you want to use as custom emoji
- The app will convert them into .WASticker format
- Open WhatsApp, go to stickers and tap “add new”
- Select the sticker pack with your custom emoji
- The emoji will now appear in your WhatsApp emoji panel
Some good apps for converting images to WhatsApp stickers:
- Sticker Maker
- Sticker Maker Studio
- WAStickerApps
The main advantage of this method is that the emoji appear at the normal size. The only disadvantage is that you need to download a separate app to convert the images.
Things to Keep in Mind
When adding custom emoji to WhatsApp using any of the above methods, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Use PNG images with a transparent background for best results
- Make sure the emoji images are high resolution
- iOS users will need to re-add custom emoji after every update
- Don’t go overboard and add too many custom emoji
- Large emoji packs can slow down the app
As long as you keep these tips in mind, you should be able to add cool and unique custom emoji to WhatsApp without issues!
Pros and Cons of Custom Emoji
Adding your own emoji to WhatsApp comes with some useful pros but also a few cons to keep in mind:
Pros
- Lets you express yourself in new creative ways
- Can add emoji related to your work, hobby, or interest
- Custom emoji are great for creating branding
- Allows using emoji not available in default WhatsApp set
Cons
- Custom emoji don’t sync across platforms
- Can slow down the app if you add too many
- Some methods are a bit complex for average users
- iOS users lose emoji after every update
As long as you keep usage reasonable and pick the right method for your needs, custom emoji can be a fun way to enhance your WhatsApp experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about using custom emoji in WhatsApp:
Can I use custom emoji on WhatsApp Web?
Unfortunately, custom emoji added on mobile devices don’t transfer over to WhatsApp on the web. The web version will only show the default emoji set.
Will my contacts see the custom emoji I send?
Yes, any contact who has your number saved will be able to see and receive the custom emoji you send through WhatsApp.
Can I back up my custom emoji?
On Android you can back up your third party keyboard app data along with WhatsApp. On iOS with jailbreak tweaks, you need to re-add the emoji.
Do custom emoji slow down WhatsApp?
Adding a few custom emoji won’t slow down WhatsApp noticeably. But adding huge packs with hundreds of emoji can make the app slower and less stable.
Is it risky to jailbreak my iPhone for custom emoji?
Jailbreaking does involve tampering with iOS security, so there is a small risk. Avoid shady tools, follow tutorials carefully, and you should be fine.
Conclusion
Although WhatsApp does not have built-in support for adding new emoji, there are clever workarounds like using third-party keyboard apps, jailbreaking, Google Drive, and sticker packs. Each method has its own pros and cons to weigh.
Make sure to follow best practices and be reasonable in how many custom emoji you add. Used properly, custom emoji can take your WhatsApp game to the next level and allow expressing yourself in fun new ways!