Let’s talk about emojis and how they’ve changed the way we chat on our phones. These little pictures are great for adding some feeling to your messages, making texting more enjoyable.
If you have a Galaxy phone, you already have access to lots of emojis, but did you know there are ways to get even more?
In this post, you’ll learn how to add and use more emojis on your Galaxy phone. This will help you express yourself better when you’re chatting with friends and family.
So, let’s get started and make your messages more colorful and fun!
Can Your Galaxy Phone Use Emojis?
Yes. If you have a Galaxy phone, it almost certainly supports emojis.
In fact, most modern Android phones come with emojis already built-in. If your phone is running Android 4.1 or newer, you’ve got a basic set of emojis ready to use.
Even if you have an older phone, don’t worry – you can still use emojis by downloading special keyboard apps or messaging apps like WhatsApp.
How to Activate and Configure the Emoji Keyboard
Let’s get those fun little pictures working on your phone! Sometimes, even if your phone supports emojis, they might not show up on your keyboard right away.
Don’t worry, though – it’s easy to fix. Here’s how you can set up your emoji keyboard:
Method 1: For Samsung Keyboard Users
If you’re using the default Samsung keyboard on your Galaxy phone, follow these steps:
- Open your phone’s “Settings” app
- Look for “General management” and tap on it
- Find and tap on “Language and input”
- Tap on “On-screen keyboard”
- Select “Samsung Keyboard”
- Look for “Emoji” in the settings and make sure it’s turned on
Method 2: For Gboard Users
If you prefer using Gboard (Google’s keyboard), here’s what you need to do:
- Open your phone’s “Settings” app
- Go to “General management” > “Language and input” > “On-screen keyboard”
- Tap on “Manage keyboards”
- Make sure “Gboard” is turned on
- Go back and tap on “Gboard”
- Scroll down and tap on “Emojis, stickers & GIFs”
- Make sure “Show emoji switch key” is turned on
Once you’ve set up your preferred keyboard, you should see a smiley face icon or a globe icon next to the space bar when you’re typing.
That’s your ticket to emoji fun! Just tap it, and you’ll see all the emojis you can use.
Inserting Emojis When Typing on Your Android Phone
Let’s talk about how to add emojis to your messages on your Galaxy phone. It’s a great way to make your chats more fun and expressive. Here are four easy ways to do it:
#1 Using Emoji Shortcuts
If you’re using Gboard (Google’s keyboard), you can use English words as shortcuts for emojis. Here’s how:
- Open your messaging app and start typing
- Type a word like “happy” or “heart”
- Look at the suggestion bar above the keyboard
- If there’s a matching emoji, you’ll see it there
- Tap the emoji to add it to your message
You can even create your own custom shortcuts in the keyboard settings if you want!
#2 Tapping the Smiley Icon
This is probably the easiest way:
- Look for the smiley face icon on your keyboard
- Tap it to open the emoji menu
- You’ll see emojis grouped by categories
- Swipe left or right to browse, or tap a category to see more
- Tap an emoji to add it to your message
- For some emojis, you can long-press to choose different skin tones
#3 Searching for Emojis
Can’t find the emoji you want? Try searching:
- Tap the search box in the emoji menu
- Type the name of the emoji or describe it (like “cat” or “happy face”)
- Tap the emoji you want from the search results
Some keyboards even let you draw the emoji you’re looking for!
#4 Using Emoji Short Codes
This is a bit more advanced, but it can be quick once you get used to it:
- Every emoji has a unique short code
- Look for the short-code icon in your emoji menu (it might look like “:)”)
- You’ll see a list of codes for different emojis
- Type the code in your message to add that emoji
These methods make it easy to add just the right emoji to your messages. Try them out and see which one works best for you!
How To Add More Third-Party Emoji Keyboards
If you’re looking for even more emojis, you might want to try some third-party keyboard apps. These can give you access to a wider range of emojis in different styles and themes. Here are a few popular options you can find in the Google Play Store:
#1 Kika Keyboard
Kika Keyboard is packed with over 3,000 emojis, emoticons, and animated GIFs. It’s got some cool features like predicting emojis as you type, including a dictionary to help you understand emoji meanings, and offering a wide variety of emoji styles.
To get Kika Keyboard, open the Google Play Store on your phone, search for “Kika Keyboard”, and tap “Install” to download it for free.
#2 SwiftKey Keyboard
SwiftKey uses smart technology to predict which emoji you might want to use next. This can make it easier to find the right emoji quickly. Features include advanced emoji prediction, customizable keyboard themes, and support for multiple languages.
To try SwiftKey, go to the Google Play Store, search for “SwiftKey Keyboard”, and tap “Install” to give it a try.
#3 Textra Keyboard
Textra offers a unique feature: you can choose emojis from different styles, including Emoji One, iOS, Twitter, and Android. Keep in mind that using Textra might mean replacing your default texting app. It offers multiple emoji style options, a customizable texting interface, and quick reply features.
To get Textra, visit the Google Play Store, search for “Textra SMS”, and tap “Install” to download.
Remember, when you install a new keyboard, you’ll need to enable it in your phone’s settings. After installation, go to “Settings” > “General management” > “Language and input” > “On-screen keyboard” > “Manage keyboards” and turn on your new keyboard.
Wrapping Up
Now you know how to get your Galaxy phone’s emoji game on point. Whether you’re using the built-in Samsung keyboard, Gboard, or trying out one of the third-party options we talked about, you’ve got all the tools you need to make your messages more expressive and fun.
Remember, emojis are a great way to add some personality to your texts. They can help you show how you’re feeling, make your friends laugh, or just brighten up a conversation.
So why not give these methods a try? Start with the basic emoji keyboard on your phone, and if you want more options, check out one of the other keyboards we mentioned.
We’d love to hear how you get on with using emojis on your Galaxy phone. Do you have a favorite emoji or keyboard app? Maybe you’ve discovered a cool emoji trick we didn’t mention? Drop a comment below and share your emoji experiences with us!
FAQ
Do all Android phones support emojis?
Yes, most Android devices today come with pre-installed emojis or at least support them. Devices running on Android 4.1 or later versions have stock emojis. Older versions may require third-party apps to use emojis.
How can I enable emojis on my Android keyboard?
To enable emojis on your Android device, go to your phone’s settings, navigate to “Languages & input,” then “Virtual keyboard,” and tap on “Manage keyboards.” Make sure the emoji keyboard, like Gboard, is enabled.
What are some ways to insert emojis in texts on Android?
You can insert emojis by using the smiley icon on your keyboard, typing emoji shortcuts, using the search function to find specific emojis, or by drawing the emoji in the search box if your keyboard supports this feature.
Can I use more emojis than what my default keyboard offers?
Absolutely! You can download third-party keyboard apps like Kika Keyboard, SwiftKey, and Textra from the Google Play Store to access a wider range of emojis and additional features like emoji prediction.
What should I do if my Android phone doesn’t show any emojis?
If your Android phone doesn’t display any emojis, consider installing a third-party keyboard that supports emojis. Apps like Kika Keyboard or SwiftKey can be easily installed from the Google Play Store.
How can I customize my emoji selection on Android?
To customize your emoji selection, you can use apps like Textra that allow you to choose from different emoji styles like Emoji One, iOS, Twitter, and Android. This can be particularly useful if you prefer a specific style of emojis.
