mobile Operating System Guide
Verified October 2026How to Type Emojis on Apple iOS (iPhone)
iOS native keyboard globe key, predictive emoji bar, and Memoji stickers
Primary Keyboard Shortcut
Smiley / Globe key on virtual keyboard
Tap typed words in Messages to convert to emoji
Press these keys simultaneously whenever you are typing in any text field or application.
How to Use the Native Picker
On iPhone, tap the smiley face or Globe icon in the bottom-left corner of the on-screen keyboard. In Apple Messages, typing words like "pizza" or "love" highlights them orange—tapping them instantly converts them into matching emojis.
Font & Rendering Engine
Default System Font:Apple Color Emoji (CoreText system engine)
Supported Unicode Version:Full Unicode 15.1 and 16.0 in iOS 18+
Troubleshooting & Known Caveats
- To enable the emoji keyboard: Settings -> General -> Keyboard -> Keyboards -> Add New Keyboard -> Emoji.
- Tap and hold any person or hand emoji to reveal all 5 Fitzpatrick skin-tone modifier options.
- Modern iOS updates deliver new Unicode emoji releases every spring in minor version updates (e.g. iOS 17.4, iOS 18.2).