How to Change Emojis on iPhone: A Clear, Step-by-Step Guide
On an iPhone, you change emojis by adding emoji keyboards, choosing between Apple designs and third-party emoji apps, and picking specific tones and variants for any supported emoji. This guide covers every reliable way to change the emojis you can send in Messages, Mail, and other apps, using only built-in features or optional third-party keyboards approved by Apple.
What Emoji Sets Are Available on iPhone
Apple includes hundreds of emojis in its built-in Apple Color Emoji set, with regular updates that add new designs and skin tone options. You can also enable additional keyboards to type in other languages, and some third-party emoji apps offer alternative sticker packs or emoji styles. By default, your iPhone uses the Apple emoji set, but you can change which keyboards are available and which emoji style you prefer.
Emoji Skin Tones and Variants
Many human emojis support a range of skin tones, and a few emojis have hairstyle or gender variants. You can change the default skin tone in Settings and pick tones for each message, or choose a different layout. These options let you personalize how people and faces appear when you change emojis in conversations.
Check and Enable Emoji Keyboards
Before you can change emojis, make sure at least one emoji keyboard is enabled. iOS includes Apple’s emoji keyboard by default, but if you previously removed it or use third-party layouts, you may need to add it back. Follow these steps to check and enable emoji keyboards so your options for changing emojis are available.
Step-by-Step: Adding an Emoji Keyboard
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Tap Keyboard, then tap Keyboards.
- Tap Add New Keyboard, scroll to Emoji, and select it.
After you add an emoji keyboard, you can switch to it in any app that uses the standard keyboard, and you can rearrange or remove keyboards from the same Keyboards list.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Default Emoji Set | Apple Color Emoji included with iOS | Apple iOS Documentation |
| Skin Tone Options | Available for many human emojis | Unicode Standard emoji data |
| Adding Emoji Keyboard | Settings > General > Keyboard > Add New Keyboard > Emoji | iOS user guides |
| Third-Party Emoji Keyboards | Optional keyboards from App Store developers | App Store policies and descriptions |
| Updates to Emoji Sets | Delivered with iOS updates; new emojis may require latest version | Apple release notes |
How to Change Emojis in an Individual Message
When you type a message, you can long-press many emojis to reveal tone or style options, and you can switch keyboards to insert emojis from a different layout. This approach works for single messages without changing your default emoji set or keyboard settings.
Practical Steps for Inline Emoji Changes
- Open a new or existing message in Messages (or another app).
- Tap the emoji key on the keyboard to open Emoji.
- Long-press certain emojis (such as faces) to see tone variants, then slide to choose.
- To use a different emoji style, tap the keyboard key, then hold the globe key to choose another enabled keyboard.
These steps let you change emojis on the fly while keeping your overall settings unchanged.
Using Third-Party Emoji Keyboards and Apps
You can install third-party emoji keyboards from the App Store, which appear alongside Apple Emoji in your keyboard list. Some third-party apps also offer sticker packs or emoji galleries you can copy into messages. When you change emojis using these keyboards, you rely on the app’s design and permissions, so review App Store reviews and privacy policies before installing.
Comparison of Emoji Options on iPhone
| Option | Scope | Customization Level | Privacy Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Emoji Keyboard | Built-in, no install | Tone selection, system defaults | Minimal data sharing |
| Third-Party Emoji Keyboard | App Store install required | Full emoji sets, custom styles | App-specific permissions and data handling |
| Sticker and Emoji Apps | Optional download | Large packs, GIFs, custom illustrations | App permissions and potential data sharing |
| Copy-and-Paste Emoji Websites | Any browser | Websites may offer non-standard emoji | Website permissions and data practices vary |
System Settings That Affect Emoji
Settings such as text replacements and Auto-Correct can interfere with emoji shortcuts, and an iOS update may temporarily change how emoji characters render. Accessibility settings may also influence how emoji descriptions are read aloud. When troubleshooting odd emoji behavior, check these system settings first.
Key Settings to Review
- Text Replacement: Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement (check for emoji shortcuts)
- Auto-Correction and Predictive Text: Settings > General > Keyboard
- Increase Contrast / Reduce Transparency: Can affect emoji visibility in some situations
- VoiceOver and Speak Screen: May describe emoji names if enabled
Reviewing these settings helps ensure your changes to emojis behave as expected.
Privacy, Compatibility, and Updates
When you change emojis on iPhone, be mindful of which keyboards you enable and what data those keyboards can access. Apple’s built-in emoji keyboard keeps most emoji rendering local, whereas third-party keyboards may transmit more information. Compatibility depends on iOS version and the devices used by your contacts; very new emojis may appear as placeholders on older iOS versions.
Best Practices for Safe Emoji Use
- Only enable emoji keyboards from trusted developers.
- Review a keyboard’s permissions before installing.
- Keep iOS updated to receive the latest emoji support and security fixes.
- Test new emoji keyboards in a separate conversation before relying on them daily.
Troubleshooting Common Emoji Issues
If you cannot find emoji options or an expected emoji is missing, start by confirming your iOS version, checking that an emoji keyboard is enabled, and verifying that you are using the latest software update. Some third-party keyboards also require you to enable Full Access in Settings > General > Keyboard, which can affect behavior.
Quick Checklist for Resolving Issues
- Update iOS to the latest version.
- Confirm at least one emoji keyboard is enabled: Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards.
- Restart the app or device if emoji do not appear.
- Test in Messages and another app to isolate the issue.
- For third-party keyboards, check that Full Access is enabled if required.
Summary and Next Steps
Changing emojis on iPhone is straightforward once you know where to add emoji keyboards and how to pick specific tones or styles. For most users, the built-in Apple emoji keyboard provides broad coverage with strong privacy, while optional third-party keyboards can expand style and format choices. Review your keyboard list occasionally to ensure only the options you want are active, and keep iOS updated for the newest emoji designs and features.