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, those little images that convey emotions and ideas. But with thousands of emojis available, how do you get the emoji you want in WhatsApp? Here’s a quick guide to finding, accessing, and sending emojis on WhatsApp.
What are emojis?
Emojis are small digital images or icons used to express ideas, concepts, and emotions in electronic communications. The word “emoji” comes from the Japanese words “e” (picture) and “moji” (character). Emojis originated in Japan in the late 1990s and gained popularity internationally with the widespread adoption of smartphones.
Some key facts about emojis:
– Emojis can represent faces, animals, plants, food, vehicles, weather, and many other categories.
– There are over 3,000 standardized emojis across platforms. New emojis are added annually.
– Emojis are commonly used in messaging apps, social media, email, and online forums to convey tone and feeling.
– Each emoji typically has multiple variations based on factors like skin tone, gender, and directionality.
– Emojis help add color, fun, and personality to digital text communications.
– Studies show emojis improve comprehension, enhance engagement, and stimulate emotional responses.
So in summary, emojis are a fun and useful way to communicate visually on digital platforms like WhatsApp. With endless possibilities, emojis help users express themselves beyond what mere text would allow.
How to access the emoji keyboard on WhatsApp
To send an emoji on WhatsApp, you first need to access the emoji keyboard. Here are the steps:
On Android:
– Open the WhatsApp app and go into a chat.
– Tap on the text box at the bottom where you type messages.
– On the left side of the text box, you’ll see a smiley icon. Tap on this.
– This will open the emoji keyboard, with all emoji categories listed.
On iPhone:
– Open WhatsApp and enter a chat.
– Tap on the text box at the bottom to bring up the keyboard.
– On the bottom left of the keyboard, tap on the smiley face icon.
– This will reveal the emoji keyboard.
So basically, look for the smiley face icon on the on-screen keyboard within WhatsApp chats to access and view all available emojis.
How to find the emoji you want
With access to the emoji keyboard, you can browse through the huge selection of emoji images to find the one you want. Here are some tips:
– Scroll vertically through the emoji keyboard to view different categories, like smileys, animals, food, etc.
– Tap on a category icon to view emojis specific to that category. For example, tap on the heart icon to see all the heart emojis.
– If you’re looking for a specific emoji, use the search bar at the top. For example, search “thumbs up” to quickly get that emoji.
– Frequently used emojis are stored under the Recent tab for easy access.
– You can also favorite often-used emojis by tapping the star icon next to them. This adds them to the Favorites tab.
– Make sure WhatsApp is updated to the latest version to get new emojis as they are released.
– If you still can’t find an emoji, it may not yet be supported by WhatsApp. New emojis take time to roll out across platforms.
So take your time browsing and searching to find the perfect emoji to liven up your chats!
How to send emojis on WhatsApp
Once you’ve found the emoji you want, sending it is easy:
On Android:
– From the open emoji keyboard, simply tap on the emoji you want to select it.
– This adds the emoji to the message text box.
– Optionally, you can add text before or after the emoji.
– Hit the send button beside the text box to send the emoji.
On iPhone:
– Tap and select the emoji from the emoji keyboard.
– This adds the emoji to the message text box.
– You can add text with the regular keyboard as needed.
– Hit the blue send arrow to send the emoji or emoji+text message.
That’s it! Have fun bringing your WhatsApp chats to life by sending emojis to friends, family, coworkers, and groups. A well-placed emoji can help convey the tone or intent of your message. But don’t overdo it – stick to 1-2 emojis per message max.
Tips for using emojis effectively
Here are some top tips for using emojis effectively within WhatsApp conversations:
– Use emojis to enhance, not replace your messages. Use them sparingly alongside text for maximum impact.
– Avoid long strings of emojis that look messy or cluttered. One or two gets the point across.
– Be mindful of cultural context. Some emojis mean different things in different cultures. The thumbs up, for example, can be offensive in the Middle East.
– Don’t overuse emojis. It can make your messages seem unintelligent or immature if you add 4-5 emojis in every message.
– Emojis can help indicate tone and intent. But don’t rely solely on them to convey complex emotions or sarcasm. Accompany them with text.
– Use emojis to mirror the recipient’s texting style. If they use a lot of emojis, match that style. If they don’t use emojis, follow their lead.
– For group chats with multiple recipients, be cautious with emojis that could be taken out of context.
– Subtler emojis like smileys, thumbs up, hearts can be safer options in professional work chats. Avoid emojis that are too silly or informal.
– Make sure the emoji displays properly across different devices and operating systems. Some can appear differently on iPhone vs Android.
Following these best practices will ensure your use of WhatsApp emojis hits the right tone for your contacts and conversations. Have fun with emojis, but don’t let them dominate your messages.
Common WhatsApp emojis and meanings
Here’s a quick guide to some of the most commonly used WhatsApp emojis and what they typically mean:
| Emoji | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 😀 😁 😂 🤣 | Laughter, happy, joking, fun |
| 😍 🥰 😘 😚 😉 🙂 | Affection, love, liking, gratitude |
| 😢 😭 😓 😩 😫 😔 | Sadness, crying, distress, disappointment |
| 🤔 🤨 😕 😟 🙁 ☹️ | Confusion, disbelief, dissatisfaction, concern |
| 😡 😠 😤 😒 🙄 😬 😳 😰 | Anger, irritation, grumpiness, indifference |
| 🥳 🙌 👍 👏 💪 ✌️ 🤟 🤘 | Celebration, praise, approval, thanks |
Of course, emojis can have different meanings depending on context. But this table provides a general overview of how common WhatsApp emojis are used. Refer to it when deciphering the emojis others send you. And test out sending some of these popular emojis yourself!
WhatsApp emoji privacy and security
While emojis provide a fun way to liven up conversations, it’s important to keep privacy and security in mind when using WhatsApp:
– Don’t overshare personal information in chats, even with emojis. Avoid potentially sensitive emojis.
– Verify contacts frequently and be cautious about opening messages from unknown numbers, even if they contain innocuous emojis.
– Enable WhatsApp security features like two-step verification and end-to-end encryption for chat privacy.
– Customize WhatsApp privacy settings, like controlling who can see your Read Receipts, last seen, and profile photo.
– Be vigilant about verifying links and attachments received in WhatsApp chats, which could contain malware despite innocent-looking emojis.
– Ensure your WhatsApp account and login details are protected, changing your password periodically. Beware of WhatsApp scams.
– Back up your WhatsApp chats regularly so you have chat history access if your device is lost, stolen, or wiped.
– Log out of WhatsApp when letting others borrow your device briefly. Don’t stay permanently logged in on shared devices.
– Use common sense when interacting with strangers or businesses on WhatsApp. Don’t scan unknown QR codes which could compromise your account.
By keeping privacy and security best practices in mind, you can safely enjoy emojis and all of WhatsApp’s great messaging capabilities.
Conclusion
Emojis are a fun way to inject visual expression into your WhatsApp chats and connect better with friends, family, co-workers, and more. With easy access to thousands of emojis right from WhatsApp’s keyboard, you can find the perfect icons to convey emotions, emphasize meaning, or just add some excitement to your messages. Use them thoughtfully and sparingly within the context of each conversation. Pay attention to emoji meanings across cultures. And balance your emoji enjoyment with sound privacy practices. With WhatsApp’s emojis handy in your pocket, your text messages will never be boring again!