Restore Emojis On Keyboard: Quick Guide

Nov 13, 2025 by Faj Lennon 40 views

Hey guys! Ever find yourself in a situation where your favorite emojis suddenly vanish from your keyboard? It's super annoying, right? Emojis are such a fun way to express ourselves in texts, social media, and emails. When they disappear, it can feel like a part of your digital personality is missing! But don't worry, getting your emojis back is usually a pretty simple fix. This guide will walk you through several solutions to restore those little icons of joy to your keyboard, whether you're using an iPhone, Android device, Windows, or Mac.

Why Did My Emojis Disappear?

Before diving into the solutions, let's quickly cover why your emojis might have gone missing in the first place. There are a few common reasons:

Software Updates: Sometimes, after updating your operating system (like iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS), the emoji settings might get altered. This is usually a glitch, but it can cause your emojis to disappear.
Keyboard Settings: On some devices, the emoji keyboard might accidentally get disabled in the settings. It's an easy thing to overlook, but it's often the culprit.
Third-Party Apps: Certain apps or custom keyboards can interfere with your device's default emoji keyboard. If you've recently installed a new app, that might be the reason.
Corrupted Files: In rare cases, corrupted system files can cause keyboard issues, including the disappearance of emojis.

Knowing these reasons can help you pinpoint the problem and choose the right solution. Now, let's get those emojis back!

Method 1: Enable the Emoji Keyboard in Settings

One of the most common reasons for missing emojis is that the emoji keyboard has been disabled in your device's settings. Re-enabling it is usually a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it on different platforms:

For iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Open Settings: Tap on the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Go to General: Scroll down and tap on “General”.
Select Keyboard: In the General settings, find and tap on “Keyboard”.
Tap Keyboards: You’ll see a list of your currently enabled keyboards. Tap on “Keyboards” again.
Add New Keyboard: If you don’t see “Emoji” in the list, tap on “Add New Keyboard”.
Choose Emoji: Scroll through the list and select “Emoji”.

Once you've added the emoji keyboard, it should appear in your list of keyboards. You can switch to it while typing by tapping the globe icon on your keyboard.

For Android

The process can vary slightly depending on your Android device's manufacturer (Samsung, Google, etc.), but here's a general guide:

Open Settings: Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Go to General Management or Language and Input: Look for an option like “General Management” or “Language and Input”. The exact wording may vary.
Select Keyboard or On-Screen Keyboard: Tap on “Keyboard”, “Virtual Keyboard”, or “On-Screen Keyboard”.
Manage Keyboards: You should see a list of installed keyboards. Make sure the “Emoji keyboard” or the default keyboard that supports emojis (like Gboard) is enabled.
Enable the Keyboard: If it’s disabled, toggle the switch to enable it.

If you don’t have an emoji keyboard, you can download Gboard from the Google Play Store. Gboard comes with a built-in emoji keyboard and is highly customizable.

For Windows 10/11

Windows has a built-in emoji panel that you can access with a keyboard shortcut:

Use the Shortcut: Press the Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon) to open the emoji panel.
Check Keyboard Settings: If the shortcut doesn't work, check your keyboard settings.
Go to Settings: Open the Settings app (you can search for it in the Start menu).
Select Time & Language: Click on “Time & Language”.
Choose Language: In the left sidebar, click on “Language”.
Keyboard Settings: Scroll down to the “Preferred languages” section and click on “Options” for your language.
Add a Keyboard: Click on “Add a keyboard” and make sure the keyboard you want to use is selected. Usually, the default keyboard will support emojis.

For macOS

macOS has a built-in emoji viewer that’s easy to access:

Use the Shortcut: Press Control + Command + Spacebar to bring up the Character Viewer, which includes emojis.
Enable Keyboard Input Menu: If the shortcut doesn’t work, you might need to enable the keyboard input menu.
Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select “System Preferences”.
Go to Keyboard: Click on “Keyboard”.
Show Keyboard and Emoji Viewers: In the Keyboard tab, check the box that says “Show Keyboard, Emoji & Symbol Viewers in menu bar”.
Access Emoji Viewer: Now you can click the keyboard icon in the menu bar and select “Show Emoji & Symbols” to access the emoji viewer.

By enabling the emoji keyboard or viewer in your device's settings, you should be able to access emojis again while typing. If this doesn't work, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Restart Your Device

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Restarting your device can resolve many temporary glitches that might be causing your emojis to disappear. Here’s why restarting works and how to do it on different devices.

Why Restarting Works

Restarting your device clears its temporary memory and closes all running processes. This can help resolve software conflicts or glitches that might be affecting your keyboard and emoji settings. It’s like giving your device a fresh start.

How to Restart Different Devices

iPhone/iPad:
1. Press and Hold: Press and hold either the volume button and the side button (on newer iPhones) or the power button (on older iPhones/iPads) until the power-off slider appears.
2. Slide to Power Off: Drag the slider to turn off your device.
3. Wait: Wait for about 30 seconds to ensure the device is completely off.
4. Power On: Press and hold the side button (or power button) until the Apple logo appears.
Android:
1. Press and Hold: Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.
2. Tap Restart: Tap the “Restart” option. If there’s no restart option, tap “Power off” and then power the device back on after a few seconds.
Windows:
1. Open Start Menu: Click on the Start button in the bottom-left corner.
2. Click Power: Click on the “Power” icon.
3. Select Restart: Choose the “Restart” option.
macOS:
1. Open Apple Menu: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
2. Select Restart: Choose the “Restart” option.

After restarting your device, check if the emojis have returned to your keyboard. If not, proceed to the next method.

Method 3: Update Your Operating System

Using an outdated operating system can sometimes cause compatibility issues, including problems with your keyboard and emojis. Updating to the latest version can fix these issues. Here’s how to update your OS on different devices.

Why Updating Works

Software updates often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features. These updates can resolve issues that might be causing your emojis to disappear. Keeping your OS up to date ensures that your device is running smoothly and is compatible with the latest features.

How to Update Different Devices

iPhone/iPad:
1. Open Settings: Tap on the Settings app.
2. Go to General: Scroll down and tap on “General”.
3. Select Software Update: Tap on “Software Update”.
4. Download and Install: If an update is available, tap “Download and Install”. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
Android:
1. Open Settings: Open the Settings app.
2. Go to About Phone or Software Update: Look for an option like “About Phone” or “Software Update”. The exact wording may vary.
3. Check for Update: Tap on “Software Update” or “Check for Update”.
4. Download and Install: If an update is available, tap “Download and Install”. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
Windows:
1. Open Settings: Open the Settings app (search for it in the Start menu).
2. Go to Update & Security: Click on “Update & Security”.
3. Check for Updates: Click on “Check for updates”.
4. Download and Install: If updates are available, Windows will download and install them automatically. You may need to restart your computer to complete the update.
macOS:
1. Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”.
2. Go to Software Update: Click on “Software Update”.
3. Check for Updates: macOS will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, click “Update Now” to download and install it.

After updating your operating system, check if the emojis have returned to your keyboard. If not, try the next method.

Method 4: Reset Keyboard Dictionary

Sometimes, the issue might be with your keyboard dictionary. Resetting it can resolve any corrupted data that might be causing the emoji problem. Here’s how to reset the keyboard dictionary on different devices.

Why Resetting the Dictionary Works

Your keyboard dictionary stores words and phrases that you frequently use, including emojis. Over time, this dictionary can become corrupted or filled with incorrect data, leading to keyboard issues. Resetting the dictionary clears this data and restores the keyboard to its default settings.

How to Reset the Keyboard Dictionary

iPhone/iPad:
1. Open Settings: Tap on the Settings app.
2. Go to General: Scroll down and tap on “General”.
3. Select Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad: Scroll down and tap “Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad”.
4. Tap Reset: Tap on “Reset”.
5. Reset Keyboard Dictionary: Choose “Reset Keyboard Dictionary”. You may need to enter your passcode to confirm.
Android:
1. Open Settings: Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General Management or Language and Input: Look for an option like “General Management” or “Language and Input”. The exact wording may vary.
3. Select Reset: Tap on “Reset” or “Reset Options”.
4. Reset Keyboard Settings: Choose “Reset keyboard settings” or “Reset keyboard dictionary”. You may need to confirm your choice.
Windows:

Windows does not have a direct option to reset the keyboard dictionary. However, you can try resetting your keyboard settings:
1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app.
2. Select Time & Language: Click on “Time & Language”.
3. Choose Language: In the left sidebar, click on “Language”.
4. Keyboard Settings: Scroll down to the “Preferred languages” section and click on “Options” for your language.
5. Add a Keyboard: Remove and then re-add your keyboard. This can sometimes help reset the keyboard settings.
macOS:

macOS doesn't have a specific option to reset the keyboard dictionary, but you can try removing custom text replacements:
1. Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”.
2. Go to Keyboard: Click on “Keyboard”.
3. Select Text: Click on the “Text” tab.
4. Remove Replacements: Delete any custom text replacements that might be interfering with your emojis.

After resetting the keyboard dictionary or settings, check if the emojis have returned. If not, there’s one more method to try.

Method 5: Check for Third-Party Keyboard Apps

Sometimes, third-party keyboard apps can interfere with your device's default keyboard settings, causing emojis to disappear. If you have any third-party keyboard apps installed, try disabling or uninstalling them to see if that resolves the issue.

Why Third-Party Apps Can Interfere

Third-party keyboard apps replace your device's default keyboard and can sometimes conflict with system settings or other apps. This can lead to various issues, including the disappearance of emojis.

How to Check and Manage Third-Party Keyboard Apps

iPhone/iPad:
1. Open Settings: Tap on the Settings app.
2. Go to General: Scroll down and tap on “General”.
3. Select Keyboard: Tap on “Keyboard”.
4. Tap Keyboards: You’ll see a list of your currently enabled keyboards. If you have any third-party keyboards, you can either disable them by tapping “Edit” and then deleting them, or simply switch back to the default keyboard.
Android:
1. Open Settings: Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General Management or Language and Input: Look for an option like “General Management” or “Language and Input”. The exact wording may vary.
3. Select Keyboard or On-Screen Keyboard: Tap on “Keyboard”, “Virtual Keyboard”, or “On-Screen Keyboard”.
4. Manage Keyboards: You should see a list of installed keyboards. Disable any third-party keyboards by toggling the switch to the off position. You can also uninstall the app if you no longer need it.
Windows:
1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app.
2. Select Time & Language: Click on “Time & Language”.
3. Choose Language: In the left sidebar, click on “Language”.
4. Keyboard Settings: Scroll down to the “Preferred languages” section and click on “Options” for your language.
5. Remove Keyboards: Remove any third-party keyboards from the list.
macOS:
1. Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”.
2. Go to Keyboard: Click on “Keyboard”.
3. Select Input Sources: Click on the “Input Sources” tab.
4. Remove Keyboards: Remove any third-party keyboards from the list by selecting them and clicking the “-” button.

After disabling or uninstalling third-party keyboard apps, check if your emojis have returned. If they have, then the issue was likely caused by one of those apps.

Conclusion

Losing your emojis can be a real bummer, but thankfully, it's usually a problem with a simple solution. By following these methods—enabling the emoji keyboard, restarting your device, updating your operating system, resetting your keyboard dictionary, and checking for third-party keyboard apps—you should be able to get your emojis back in no time. So go ahead and bring those expressive little icons back to your digital life! Happy texting!