This article will guide you through the process of activating the emoji keyboard on your iPhone and how to use it. The emoji keyboard is available on iPhone and iPad running iOS 5 and later. Since the current version of iOS is iOS 11, new models of iPhone and iPad should support emoji functionality.

How to Enable the Emoji Keyboard

Step 1. Open the Settings app

Step 1

Open the Settings app by tapping the gear icon on a gray background.

Step 2. Scroll down and tap on General

Step 2

Scroll down and tap on General. This option is located near the top of the settings page.

Step 3. Scroll down and tap on Keyboard

Step 3

Scroll down and tap on Keyboard. This option is at the bottom of the General page.

Step 4. Tap on Keyboards

Step 4

Tap on Keyboards. You’ll find this option at the top of the screen. A list of active keyboards on your iPhone will appear.

Step 5. Look for the Emoji keyboard

Step 5

Look for the Emoji keyboard. If you see an option for "Emoji" in the list of keyboards, the emoji keyboard is already enabled and ready to use. If not, proceed to the next step.

Step 6. Tap on Add New Keyboard

Step 6

Tap on Add New Keyboard. This option is in the middle of the screen. A list of available keyboards will open.

Step 7. Scroll down and tap on Emoji

Step 7

Scroll down and tap on Emoji. You’ll find this option on the keyboard list page. Tap it to add it to your active keyboards.

Step 8. Close the Settings app

Step 8

Close the Settings app by pressing the Home button at the bottom of your iPhone screen. You can now use the emoji keyboard on your iPhone.

How to Use the Emoji Keyboard

Step 1. Open a text-supporting app

Step 1

Open an app that supports text input. You can use the emoji keyboard in any app with a text field (like Messages, Facebook, or Notes).

Step 2. Bring up the keyboard

Step 2

Bring up the keyboard by tapping on the text field. The keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3. Tap the Emoji keyboard icon

Step 3

Tap the emoji keyboard icon, which looks like a smiley face and is located in the lower-left corner of the keyboard. The emoji keyboard will open.

  • If you have multiple keyboards activated on your iPhone, press and hold the globe icon, then slide your finger to the "Emoji" option.

Step 4. Choose an emoji category

Step 4

Choose an emoji category by tapping one of the tabs at the bottom of the screen to display emoji categories, or swipe left or right to scroll through the available emojis.

Step 5. Select an emoji

Step 5

Select an emoji by tapping on any emoji you want to insert. It will appear in the text field.

Step 6. Tap ABC

Step 6

Tap ABC to return to the standard keyboard.

  • If you’ve inserted an emoji into a message, press the Send button to send the message with the emoji.