What an emoji keyboard is and how to get one
An emoji keyboard is a separate input method that lets you type emoji characters alongside regular text. Most phones and computers come with emoji built into the default keyboard, but you can also download third-party emoji keyboards that offer different designs, organization, or search features. The steps to add one depend on whether you use Android, iPhone, Windows, or Mac.
The good news: you likely already have emoji available without installing anything. If you want a different emoji keyboard with a different layout or search method, the installation process takes less than five minutes on any device.
Key Takeaways
- iPhones and most Android phones come with emoji built into the standard keyboard — you do not need to install anything to use them.
- To add a third-party emoji keyboard on Android, go to Settings, find Languages and Input, enable the keyboard you want, and set it as default.
- On iPhone, go to Settings, Keyboards, Add New Keyboard, and choose the emoji keyboard from the list.
- Windows and Mac computers have emoji access through character viewers or keyboard shortcuts, but third-party keyboards can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store.
- After installing a new keyboard, you may need to switch to it manually the first time you want to use it.
How to add an emoji keyboard on Android
Most Android phones come with emoji already available in the default keyboard. To check if you have access, open any text field and look for a smiley face icon on your keyboard. If you see it, tap it to view emoji. If you want to install a different emoji keyboard, follow these steps.
Open Settings and scroll down to find Languages and Input (the exact name varies by phone brand). Tap it, then look for Keyboards or Input Methods. You will see a list of keyboards available on your phone. Find the emoji keyboard you want to use — common options include Gboard (Google's keyboard), SwiftKey, or Fleksy. If it is not listed, you will need to download it from the Google Play Store first. Once you find the keyboard, tap the toggle next to it to turn it on. Then go back and tap Default Keyboard, and select the emoji keyboard you just enabled. From now on, when you tap the keyboard icon in any text field, you can switch to your emoji keyboard.
How to add an emoji keyboard on iPhone
iPhones include emoji in the standard keyboard by default. To access them, open any text field and tap the globe icon at the bottom left of the keyboard. This cycles through your available keyboards. Keep tapping until you reach the emoji keyboard, or hold down the globe icon to see all keyboards at once and tap the smiley face.
If you want to add a different emoji keyboard, open Settings and tap Keyboards. Tap Add New Keyboard and scroll through the list to find the emoji keyboard you want. Tap it to add it. The next time you open a text field, you can switch to this keyboard by tapping the globe icon. Note that some third-party emoji keyboards must be downloaded from the App Store first before they appear in this list.
How to add an emoji keyboard on Windows
Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a built-in emoji picker. Press the Windows key and the period key (.) at the same time, and a window will open showing emoji organized by category. Click any emoji to insert it into the text field you were using. This works in most programs including email, web browsers, and messaging apps.
If you want a third-party emoji keyboard, open the Microsoft Store and search for emoji keyboard. Download and install the one you prefer. Once installed, you can usually access it by pressing the Windows key and semicolon (;) or by clicking the keyboard icon in your taskbar and selecting the emoji keyboard from the list. The exact steps depend on which keyboard you download, so check the instructions that come with it.
How to add an emoji keyboard on Mac
Mac computers have a character viewer that includes emoji. Press Control, Command, and Space at the same time to open it. Search for the emoji you want by typing its name (like "smile" or "heart"), or click the emoji icon at the top to browse by category. Click any emoji to insert it. This works in most programs including Mail, Messages, and web browsers.
To install a third-party emoji keyboard on Mac, open the App Store and search for emoji keyboard. Download and install the one you want. Once installed, go to System Preferences, Keyboard, Input Sources, and click the plus sign to add the new keyboard. Select it from the list and click Add. You can now switch to it by clicking the input menu in the top right corner of your screen and selecting the emoji keyboard.
Switching between keyboards after installation
After you install a new emoji keyboard, you need to know how to switch to it. On Android, tap and hold the space bar while typing, or tap the keyboard icon and select your emoji keyboard from the list. On iPhone, tap the globe icon at the bottom left of the keyboard to cycle through your keyboards. On Windows, press Windows key and period (.) for the built-in picker, or use the keyboard switcher in your taskbar for third-party keyboards. On Mac, click the input menu in the top right corner and select your emoji keyboard.
The first time you switch to a new keyboard, it may take a few seconds to load. If a keyboard does not appear in the switcher after you installed it, restart your phone or computer and try again. Some keyboards also require you to grant them permission to access your text — follow the on-screen prompts if you see a permission request.
Troubleshooting when an emoji keyboard will not show up
If you installed an emoji keyboard but cannot find it, the most common reason is that you did not enable it after installation. On Android, go back to Settings, Languages and Input, and make sure the toggle next to your keyboard is turned on. On iPhone, go to Settings, Keyboards, and check that your emoji keyboard is listed. If it is not there, the app may not have installed correctly — try downloading it again from the App Store.
On Windows and Mac, make sure you actually installed the keyboard and did not just download it. Open the Microsoft Store or App Store and look for the keyboard in your installed apps. If it shows Install instead of Open, the download did not complete. Click Install and wait for it to finish. If you still cannot see the keyboard after installation, restart your device. If the keyboard is very new or from a small developer, it may have a bug — check the reviews in the store to see if other users reported the same problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for an emoji keyboard?
Most emoji keyboards are free. Some offer paid versions with extra features like custom emoji designs or cloud backup, but the basic version is always free to download. Check the price in the store before you download to make sure.
Will installing a new keyboard slow down my phone?
No. Keyboards sit in the background and only load when you open a text field. Installing one takes up a small amount of storage space, but it will not make your phone slower or drain your battery.
Can I use emoji on my computer if I do not install a keyboard?
Yes. Windows has the built-in emoji picker (Windows key + period), and Mac has the character viewer (Control + Command + Space). You do not need to install anything to use emoji on either system.
What if I want to go back to my original keyboard?
You can switch back anytime by using the keyboard switcher on your device. On Android and iPhone, tap the globe icon or use the keyboard menu. On Windows and Mac, use the input menu. You can also delete the emoji keyboard from your keyboard list if you do not want it anymore — go to your keyboard settings and remove it.
Why does my emoji keyboard look different from my friend's?
Different phones and operating systems render emoji slightly differently. An emoji on an iPhone looks different from the same emoji on Android or Windows. This is normal and happens because each company designs its own emoji graphics. The character itself is the same, but the picture changes.