How to Add An Emoji Keyboard on Android?
How to Add An Emoji Keyboard on Android?
4 Answers

Emojis are everywhere these days, brightening up our texts and adding a splash of personality to our online chats. If you’re itching to get an emoji keyboard on your Android device, we’ve got you covered with some simple steps.
First off, many Android phones come with a default keyboard that already supports emojis, like Gboard. Here’s how to find them:
Using the Default Keyboard
- Open up something that needs typing, like a text message or your notes app.
- Tap the text field to pull up the keyboard.
- Look for the emoji icon (often a smiley face or globe) and tap it to dive into your emoji options.
Using Gboard
Gboard, designed by Google, is packed with emojis. If it’s not installed, grab it from the Play Store. Once it’s on your device, here’s what to do:
- Head to Settings and find “System” or “General Management.”
- Tap “Language & input” or “Keyboard & input methods.”
- Go to “Virtual keyboard” or “On-screen keyboard” and select “Gboard.”
- In “Preferences,” toggle on “Show emoji switch key.”
- Open up an app that needs typing, and you should see the emoji icon ready to go.
Using SwiftKey
SwiftKey is another keyboard with a huge emoji collection. Here’s how to set it up:
- If you don’t have SwiftKey yet, download it from the Play Store.
- Go into Settings and select “System” or “General Management.”
- Tap “Language & input” or “Keyboard & input methods.”
- Pick “Virtual keyboard” or “On-screen keyboard” and then “SwiftKey Keyboard.”
- Enable the “Emoji fast access” option.
- Now, just open up a text app and tap the emoji icon on the SwiftKey keyboard.
Using Other Third-Party Keyboard Apps
There are plenty of other keyboards out there, like Emoji Keyboard by EmojiWorks, FancyKey Keyboard, TouchPal Keyboard, and Facemoji Keyboard. Just install your chosen app and follow its setup instructions.
Using Emoji Apps or Plug-ins
For those who want even more emoji options, there are dedicated emoji apps or plug-ins. Here’s how you can set them up:
- Go to the Google Play Store and search for emoji apps or plug-ins like Emoji Keyboard, Emoji Maker, or Emoji Switcher.
- Install the app or plug-in.
- Follow any setup instructions within the app.
- Open a text app and access the new emojis via the app’s icon or menu.
Using the New Emoji Search Feature
Finding that perfect emoji just got easier with the search feature:
- Open an app that needs typing.
- Tap the text field to bring up the keyboard and tap the emoji icon.
- Use the search bar at the bottom to type in what you’re looking for.
- Tap the emoji you want from the suggestions.
Alternatives If You Can’t Add an Emoji Keyboard
If you’re having trouble adding an emoji keyboard, try these:
- Copy and paste emojis: Find them online and paste them where you need them.
- Use emoji shortcuts: Some apps convert text shortcuts into emojis, like “:)” for a smiley.
- Emoji apps: Standalone emoji apps like “Emojidom” let you insert emojis even if your keyboard doesn’t support them.
Adding emojis to your Android experience is pretty straightforward, and once you do it, your texts will never be the same. Enjoy the fun world of emojis!

Hey there! Trying to get those fun little emojis on your Android keyboard? You’re in the right place. Here’s the lowdown on making sure your device isn’t stuck in a pre-emoji stone age.
Alright, first things first: figure out what version of Android you’re rocking. Knowing this helps because emoji support can differ with each version. You can check it out by popping open your Settings app, scrolling down to ‘About phone’ or ‘About device,’ and spotting the Android version listed there. If you’ve got anything from Android 4.4 (KitKat) onward, you’re golden and can use the built-in emoji keyboard or snag a third-party one with emojis galore.
Now, if your current keyboard is looking pretty basic and missing those colorful characters, you might need to get yourself a new one. Gboard is a solid pick that’s got all the emoji heart-eyes you could want. Just dive into the Google Play Store, search for “Gboard,” tap on it in the results, hit that install button, and let it do its thing.
Once Gboard is all set up, you’ll need to make it your main squeeze, aka your default keyboard. Head back into your settings, poking around until you find System > Languages & input > Virtual keyboard > Manage keyboards. Make sure Gboard is switched on if you haven’t done it yet.
Let’s make sure emoji support is rolling on Gboard. Fire up any app where you can type—like Messages or Gmail—and bring up the keyboard by tapping a text field. You should spot the emoji icon, usually a smiley face, chilling directly on the keyboard or by long-pressing the Enter key. If it’s playing hard to get, jump back into Gboard settings through the keyboard settings icon and make sure emojis are activated.
Now to the fun part—actually using those emojis! Anytime you’re typing away, tap that emoji symbol to unlock emoji heaven. Browse through different categories of emojis and pop them into your message just by tapping. And hey, some emojis let you long-press for variations like different skin tones. Pretty nifty, right?
Well, there you go! By now, you should be serenading friends with emoji-stuffed texts like the pros do. Enjoy bringing your messages to life with a splash of emoji color. Happy texting!

To set up an emoji keyboard on your Android phone, you’ve got a couple of options depending on what you’re after. Whether you want to tweak your own app or just spice up your texting game, there’s something here for everyone. So here’s the lowdown:
1. Just Some Basics: Emojis are part of the Unicode standards that have been around for a while now. If you’re rocking an Android version newer than KitKat, you’ve got native emoji support out-of-the-box thanks to Google’s EmojiCompat library. But if your device is a bit on the older side, or if your app targets lower APIs, you might need to roll up your sleeves and make some tweaks to ensure everything runs smoothly. Devices also come with tons of third-party keyboards like Gboard or SwiftKey, which already have emojis packed in.
2. DIY Emoji Keyboard for Your Apps:
- Use System-Level Emojis: Most phones come with a built-in emoji keyboard. If you’re developing an app and want to leverage that, just make sure your text input fields are set to accept emoji input. Throw in the EmojiCompat library to keep older phones in the loop. Slap those dependencies into your build.gradle file, and init the library in your Application class. With that done, emojis should show up nicely across different devices.
- Roll Your Own Emoji Keyboard: If your app needs its own emoji picker—think chat apps—you’ll need to get crafty. Design a neat UI using a RecyclerView or GridLayout to lay out your emoji icons. When users tap an emoji, it should pop right into a text field.
3. Scout for Third-Party Emoji Keyboards: Want to take the simpler route? Third-party keyboards are your friend here. Users can grab keyboards like Gboard or Emoji Keyboard Live from Google Play. To switch them on:
- Jump into Settings → System → Languages & input → Virtual keyboard. There, you’ll be able to enable whatever keyboard suits your fancy.
4. Smooth Out Any Wrinkles:
- Emojis not looking right? Double-check your EmojiCompat setup. Outdated fonts can mess things up too.
- If the keyboard is hogging space on the screen, tweak your activity settings to adjust when the soft keyboard pops up.
- Dependency clashes? Dig into your build.gradle file to make sure your app isn’t pulling in conflicting libraries.
5. Keep it Real:
- Test across different devices to ensure your emojis don’t end up looking like hieroglyphics.
- Speed things up by loading emoji fonts or images ahead of time.
- Don’t forget about localization—provide relevant emojis based on the user’s language settings.
And there you have it—setting up an emoji keyboard on Android doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. Whether you’re catching a new wave of emoji trends or making your app an emoji paradise, these tips will get you there without breaking a sweat. Good luck!

So, you want to jazz up your texting game with emojis on your Android, huh? I’ve got your back! It’s super straightforward, and I’ll walk you through it, step by step.
Alright, first up is the default keyboard, known as Gboard. It’s pretty handy. Dive into your Settings app, then go to System (or General Management, depending on your device) and hit up Language & Input. Find On-screen Keyboard and click on Gboard. In the settings, you’re going to want to go to Preferences and flip the switch for Show emoji switch key. Once that’s done, open an app like WhatsApp or Messenger, and BAM! You’ve got emojis at your fingertips.
Feeling like trying out something new? There’s always the option of getting a third-party emoji keyboard. Head over to the Google Play Store and type in “emoji keyboard.” You’ll spot popular options like SwiftKey or Facemoji—grab one that tickles your fancy and install it. Fire up the app and follow the setup prompts. Next up, swing by Settings, into System, then Language & Input, On-screen Keyboard, and Manage Keyboards. Make sure your new keyboard is enabled. Once that’s all set, when you open a messaging app, simply tap the keyboard icon on the bottom to switch over if needed. Hit up the emoji icon and go wild!
Got yourself a Samsung phone? You’re covered too. Hit up Settings and select General Management. Tap Language and Input, then On-screen Keyboard, and pick Samsung Keyboard. Check out Smart typing and make sure predictive text is turned on. Afterward, when you’re texting away, look for the smiley face icon and dive into those emojis.
And there you go—multiple ways to get those cute little pictures added to your texts. Have fun expressing yourself!