WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One fun feature of WhatsApp is the ability to send emojis and express yourself in conversations. But you may be wondering, how exactly do you use emojis in WhatsApp?
Open the Emoji Keyboard in WhatsApp
The first step to sending an emoji on WhatsApp is to open the emoji keyboard within the app. Here’s how to do it:
- Open a WhatsApp conversation thread where you want to send an emoji.
- Tap on the text field at the bottom where you type messages.
- On Android phones, tap the emoji icon on the left side of the text field. On iPhones, tap the smiley face icon to the right of the text field.
This will bring up the emoji keyboard so you can select the emoji you want to send. The emoji keyboard includes different categories like faces, animals, food, flags, and more that you can scroll through.
Send an Emoji From the Keyboard
Once you have the emoji keyboard open in WhatsApp, sending an emoji is simple:
- Tap on the category of emoji you want to use.
- Scroll through the emoji options and tap on the one you want to send.
- The emoji will appear in the text field. You can add text before or after the emoji as well.
- Hit send to send the emoji in your WhatsApp message.
Some tips for using the emoji keyboard:
- Recently used emojis appear at the top for quick access.
- You can add multiple emojis before hitting send.
- Tap the ABC icon to switch back to the regular keyboard.
Use Emoji Shortcut Codes
In addition to the emoji keyboard, you can also type emoji shortcut codes using your regular keyboard. This allows you to send emojis without switching to the emoji keyboard. Here’s how it works:
- In your message, type a colon : followed by the name of the emoji.
- Options for that emoji will appear. Tap on the one you want.
- The emoji will appear in your message.
For example, typing 🙂 will bring up smiling face emojis you can choose from. You can combine emoji shortcut codes with text normally:
“Let’s get lunch! :smile:”
Some common emoji shortcuts you can try are:
- 🙂 or :grinning: for a smiling face
- :heart_eyes: for heart eyes emoji
- :thumbsup: or :+1: for thumbs up
- :wave: for waving hand
This makes it easy to quickly send emojis without switching keyboard modes.
Use Emojis in Your WhatsApp Profile
In addition to sending emojis in chats, you can also add emojis to personalize your WhatsApp profile. Your profile includes your name, phone number, About section, and profile photo that all your WhatsApp contacts see.
To add emojis to your profile:
- Open WhatsApp Settings.
- Tap your profile name at the top.
- Tap Edit next to your profile name.
- Type any emoji you want into your name field.
- Tap Save to set your new emoji name.
You can get creative with emojis in your name. Some examples:
- Sarah :dancer:
- John :soccer: :football:
- Maria :cherry_blossom:
Add emojis that represent your personality or interests. Just keep in mind that all your WhatsApp contacts will see this name.
You can also add emojis in your About info and even upload an emoji as your profile photo. Have fun customizing your profile!
Send Emojis in WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp isn’t just limited to your phone – you can also access your WhatsApp chats on WhatsApp Web from your computer’s browser. And you can continue sending emojis from WhatsApp Web as well.
To send emojis on WhatsApp Web:
- Go to web.whatsapp.com in your browser.
- Scan the QR code using your WhatsApp mobile app to link it.
- Open a chat thread and tap the emoji icon next to the message box.
- Select the emoji you want to send and hit enter.
The emoji keyboard works the same way as on mobile. You can quickly access your recently used emojis at the top.
In addition, the emoji shortcut codes will also work on WhatsApp Web. Just type the shortcut like :thumbsup: and choose the emoji to insert it.
Use Emojis in WhatsApp Groups
WhatsApp groups let you chat with multiple people at once. Sending emojis in a WhatsApp group chat works the same way as normal chats. But emojis can be especially fun when messaging in groups:
- Add emojis to group chat names and icons to liven up group conversations.
- Use emojis as reactions to funny messages and media shared in the group.
- Emojis can help convey tone and prevent misunderstandings in large group chats.
- React to group announcements or shared plans with thumbs up, celebration, or other relevant emojis.
Some best practices for using emojis in WhatsApp groups:
- Don’t overuse emojis or flood the chat with emojis as this can be annoying.
- Make sure to use emojis that are relevant to the discussion and tone.
- Consider muting large active groups if you find emoji overload distracting.
Troubleshooting Emoji Issues
In some cases, you may run into issues using emojis on WhatsApp. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Emoji Appearing as Squares or Blocks
If you see squares, blocks, or gibberish characters instead of emojis, it’s likely because:
- Your device is outdated and doesn’t support newer emojis.
- You need to update WhatsApp to the latest version.
- The person you’re messaging has an outdated device or app.
Make sure that both you and the recipients have updated to the latest OS and WhatsApp versions to view emojis properly.
Emoji Keyboard Not Showing Up
If you can’t find the emoji button or keyboard in WhatsApp, try these troubleshooting tips:
- Force quit and relaunch the WhatsApp app.
- Update to the latest version of WhatsApp.
- On Android, make sure you have emoji compatibility enabled on your keyboard.
- Check that your OS software is up to date.
Can’t Use Emoji Shortcut Codes
If the emoji shortcuts using colons aren’t working, it’s likely an issue with your keyboard app:
- Make sure your keyboard has emoji and emoticon support enabled.
- Some third party keyboards don’t support shortcut codes. Try enabling your default phone keyboard.
- Upgrade your keyboard app to the latest version for full emoji support.
Fun Emojis to Try on WhatsApp
Here are some fun and useful emojis to try out using in WhatsApp chats and groups:
Faces and People
- :smiley: :grimacing: :rolling_eyes: – Reacting to messages
- :pray: :fingers_crossed: :raised_hands: – Expressing hopes and wishes
- :shushing_face: :face_with_monocle: – Fun and teasing replies
- :pleading_face: :puppy_eyes: – When pleading or negotiating
Nature and Animals
- :sunny: :umbrella: :snowflake: – Talking about the weather
- :dog: :cat: :bunny: – When sending cute animal photos
- :turtle: :snail: :whale: – Ocean and slow moving animals
- :blossom: :bouquet: :cherry_blossom: – Pretty flower emojis
Food and Drinks
- :pizza: :hamburger: :fries: – Making food and dinner plans
- :cake: :cupcake: :doughnut: – Birthday treats
- :popcorn: :candy: :lollipop: – Movie snack favorites
- :coffee: :tea: :cocktail: :beer: – Meeting up for drinks
Activities and Events
- :soccer: :basketball: :football: – Sporting events and games
- :dancer: :running: :weight_lifting_man: – Working out
- :art: :ticket: :movie_camera: – Entertainment plans
- :airplane: :railway_car: :rocket: – Travel adventures
Symbols
- :heart: :sparkling_heart: – Expressing love and affection
- :star: :crown: – Wishing someone well or congratulations
- :high_brightness: :fire: – Saying something is awesome or hot
- :thumbsup: :ok_hand: – Liking or approving something
Conclusion
Emojis are a fun way to add expression and visual flair to your WhatsApp messages. By learning how to access the emoji keyboard, use shortcut codes, and customize your profile, you can make the most of emojis in your chats. While emojis might not replace your actual words, they can enhance your conversations and allow you to communicate in more dynamic ways. So go ahead and start sending those smiling faces, celebration hands, laughing tears, and heart emojis to liven up your messaging!