Where to find emoji keyboards and how they work

An emoji keyboard is a separate input method you install on your device that lets you type emoji and special characters alongside regular text. Most devices come with at least one emoji option built in, but you can add others that organize emoji differently, offer search, or include custom stickers and GIFs. The steps to add one depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android.

On phones and tablets, emoji keyboards usually replace your default keyboard when you switch to them — you tap a button to toggle between your regular keyboard and the emoji one. On computers, you typically open a separate emoji picker window or use a keyboard shortcut. Some emoji keyboards are free; others charge a one-time fee or subscription.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone and iPad users can enable the emoji keyboard in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard and select Emoji.
  • Android users can download a third-party keyboard app like Gboard, SwiftKey, or Fleksy from the Google Play Store, then set it as the default input method in Settings.
  • Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in emoji picker you open with Windows key + period (.) or Windows key + semicolon (;) — no installation needed.
  • Mac users can open the emoji picker with Control + Command + Space, or enable the Character Viewer in System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources.
  • Third-party emoji keyboards often include search, favorites, and custom packs, but require you to grant them permission to access your typing.

Adding emoji on iPhone and iPad

iPhones and iPads come with an emoji keyboard option that is turned off by default. To turn it on, open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard. Tap Keyboards at the top of the screen, then tap Add New Keyboard. Scroll down and select Emoji. The emoji keyboard now appears as an option whenever you tap the keyboard on your device — you'll see a globe icon at the bottom left of your keyboard that cycles through your installed keyboards.

If you want a different emoji experience, you can download third-party keyboard apps from the App Store — apps like Gboard (made by Google) or SwiftKey include emoji search and organization by category. After you install one, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and select the app you downloaded. You'll need to allow the app permission to access your typing when you first use it.

Adding emoji on Android phones and tablets

Most Android devices come with Gboard (Google's keyboard app) pre-installed, and Gboard includes emoji access. If your device uses a different keyboard, you can download Gboard, SwiftKey, Fleksy, or another emoji-enabled keyboard from the Google Play Store. Search for the keyboard name, tap Install, and wait for it to download.

Once installed, open Settings, go to System > Languages and Input (or Apps and Notifications > Default Apps, depending on your Android version), and tap Default Keyboard. Select the keyboard app you want to use. The next time you tap a text field, that keyboard will appear. Most Android keyboards show an emoji button (usually a smiley face icon) on the keyboard itself — tap it to switch to the emoji view.

Using the built-in emoji picker on Windows

Windows 10 and Windows 11 include a free emoji picker you don't need to install. Press the Windows key and period (.) at the same time, or Windows key and semicolon (;). A window opens showing emoji organized by category — search for emoji by name in the search box at the top, or click the category tabs to browse. Click any emoji to insert it into whatever text field you were using.

This picker works in most programs — email, web browsers, text editors, and messaging apps. If the shortcut doesn't work, make sure your keyboard language is set to English (or your system language). You can also pin the emoji picker to your taskbar by right-clicking it and selecting Pin to Taskbar, so you can open it without remembering the keyboard shortcut.

Using the emoji picker on Mac

Macs have two ways to access emoji. The quickest is to press Control + Command + Space while your cursor is in a text field. This opens the emoji picker, where you can search by name or browse by category. Click any emoji to insert it.

Alternatively, you can enable the Character Viewer, which shows emoji alongside other special characters and symbols. Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), go to Keyboard, click Input Sources, and check the box next to Show Input Menu in Menu Bar. Then click the + button, select Other, and add Unicode Hex Input or the Character Viewer. Once enabled, you can click the input menu in your menu bar and select Show Emoji & Symbols.

Third-party emoji keyboards and what they offer

Apps like Gboard, SwiftKey, Fleksy, and Chrooma add features beyond what built-in emoji pickers provide. Most include search (type "heart" to find all heart emoji), favorites (pin your most-used emoji to the top), and organization by skin tone or style. Some include GIF search, sticker packs, and custom themes.

The trade-off is that third-party keyboards ask for permission to access your typing — they need this to learn your typing patterns and offer suggestions, but it means the app can see what you type. Read the privacy policy before installing. Many third-party keyboards are free with optional paid sticker packs; others charge a one-time fee or monthly subscription. Test a free option first to see if you prefer it to your device's built-in emoji picker.

Switching between emoji keyboards

Once you've added multiple emoji keyboards or input methods, switching between them is straightforward. On iPhone and iPad, tap the globe icon on your keyboard to cycle through your installed keyboards. On Android, tap and hold the space bar (or the keyboard icon, depending on your keyboard app) to see a list of installed keyboards, then tap the one you want.

On Windows, the emoji picker is always available via the keyboard shortcut — you don't need to switch anything. On Mac, if you've enabled multiple input sources, click the input menu in your menu bar and select the one you want. You can also set a keyboard shortcut for each input source in System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Input Sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for an emoji keyboard?

No. Every major device — iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, and Mac — includes free emoji access. Third-party keyboard apps are usually free to download, though some charge for extra sticker packs or premium features. You never have to pay to use emoji.

Can I use emoji on my computer keyboard?

Yes. Windows has a built-in emoji picker (Windows key + period), and Mac has Control + Command + Space. Both work in any program where you can type. You can also download third-party keyboard apps on both systems, though the built-in options are usually sufficient.

What if my emoji keyboard isn't showing up?

On iPhone or iPad, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and make sure the emoji keyboard is listed. If it's not, tap Add New Keyboard and select Emoji again. On Android, check Settings > Languages and Input to confirm your keyboard app is installed and set as default. Restart your device if the keyboard still doesn't appear.

Can I customize which emoji appear in my keyboard?

Built-in emoji pickers don't let you hide emoji, but most third-party keyboards let you set favorites — tap the star or heart icon next to emoji you use often, and they'll appear at the top. Some apps also let you create custom categories or organize by skin tone preference.

Is it safe to use a third-party emoji keyboard?

Third-party keyboards can see your typing because they need access to learn your patterns and offer suggestions. Before installing one, read its privacy policy to understand what data it collects. Stick with keyboards from well-known companies like Google (Gboard) or Microsoft (SwiftKey) if you're concerned about privacy.