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iPhone Tip: How to Enable Emoji Icons on iOS 4

By on July 1, 2010 in Posted In: Tips & How-to

Emoji icons are picture characters that are very popular in Japan for text messaging. Nearly all mobile phones in Japan have Emoji icons built-in. Since the release of firmware 2.2 in late 2008, Apple has brought Emoji icons to iPhone. However, it is for iPhone users using Softbank network in Japan only.

Despite the restriction, creative iPhone developers have developed some interesting hacks and some iPhone enthusiasts even discovered a simple trick to bring this feature to all iPhone users.

I enjoy using the Emoji feature since then. After I upgrade my iPhone 3GS to iOS 4, however, this feature is gone even I restore my data back using iTunes. Anyways, it is a good time to revisit the trick to re-enable the feature.

For those who want to use Emoji icons on iPhone, simply follow the step-by-step procedures:

1. Launch App Store and search for “Emoji Free“. It is a free app that enables emoji icons on your device. Simply install it.

2. After installation, launch it and click the “ok, lets do this!” button to proceed.

3. The process only takes a few seconds. After that, your iPhone is allowed to use Emoji icon.

4. Click HOME button to go back to home screen. Tap “Settings” -> “General” -> “Keyboard” -> “International Keyboards” -> “Add New Keyboard…”. Tap on “Emoji”.

5. You should notice a new Emoji keyboard installed after it goes back to the previous screen.

That’s it. You can then launch any iPhone app (say, Notes) to try out the feature. To switch between different keyboards, you can tap on the “globe” button.

Tip: In case it doesn’t work, restart your iPhone and try again.

What do you think about the Emoji feature? If you like it, make sure you tell your friends to enable this feature. Otherwise, he/she will not be able to view the icons. As usual, leave me comment if you have any questions.

About Simon Ng

Founder, developer and chief blogger of simonblog.com
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  • Peggy Schwenk

    It works great with the NOTES feature. How can I use it in text messages? The globe does not pop up.

    • Tom

      You can put it in on notes then copy and paste it into your message. Remember it’s iPhone to iPhone only, so with friends with iPhone will see it, otherwise they wont see anything.

  • TurbineSeaplane

    Once installed, must the Emoji Free app stay installed or can it be deleted?

    • michelle

      i deleted the app and the emojis still work.

      • Anonymous

        If you are an iOS 5 user you did not need the app

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  • Gopi

    what is the next os for iphone 2g? (after 3.1.3)

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      @Gopi,

      The latest OS for iPhone 2G is 3.1.3. Apple has ended the support of 2G on iOS 4.

      • Anonymous

        I thought iOS 5.1.1 is the latest software. The one where you need no app at all.

      • Anonymous

        I thought iOS 5.1.1 is the latest software.(for 3GS and above) The one where you need no app at all.

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  • http://twitter.com/rayjohnz John Ray

    Finally! Been figuring out how to work it and some other sites confused me when it’s this simple! Thank you very much! ;)

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  • Jodi

    I have the new iphone from verizon and have tried several times the steps to get the emoji keyboard. IT does not show up

    • Kurt

      You need to restart the phone…and then it appears…

  • cheng

    why does emoji doesn’t work on facebook? well it works with notes and messages but not on facebook massages and statuses…

  • john

    Hi,
    I did what you said to get the Emoji Icon but It does not appear on my iphone 4

    am i doing something wrong?

    Thanks

  • http://Www.msn.com Natalia James

    I can’t make it to enable my emoji

  • Andrea

    I have both the free and non free Emoji, restarted by Iphone several times, and followed the instructions, but it still does have the Emoji on the keyboard. Help

  • Anonymous

     doesnt work in facebook

  • http://Www.facebook.com Junimir

    yeah

  • Do not buy Emoji!!

    When I first got Emoji I thought it was  Eventually I started to  it more and thought it was the 
    But I was severely mistaken, there weren’t enough icons . They then took my credit  number and spent all my . I was very  and I lost my  because I couldn’t pay my payments. Then I lost my  and my  I lived in a  outside for many years. It was extremely  and very cold I would  every  on a . Before I went to  I learned to make a to keep warm Many days I felt like committing  and  things would get better. With what little  I had from  I spent on , ,  and  heroin
    I was a very (hollow) person and I was expecting to  many says. Surprising I got  I found a new  which helped me find a . I worked very hard and picked myself  I still  every .
    I now feel  and couldn’t have done it without my guardian .
    I now  everyone about Emoji and the  it has caused

  • Ruby

    Hi. Once I respring my iPhone (iOS 4.3.1)… after that I couldn’t find Emoji keyboard. And every time I launch Emoji icon, it crash from the very beginning. I uninstalled and reinstalled it but it didn’t work out. Does anyone have a clue to solve this problem?

  • meme

    how do i insert emoji on my username for instagram on my iPad?
    it won’t let me! but i see a lot of other users doing it!

  • chets

    Thanks

    It is fine working and i got my think by emoji