RSS

How to enable emoticons on any iPhone [Updated]

Mon, Nov 24, 2008 | by Robert Nelson

Hacks, Resources, iPhone Hacks

How to enable emoticons on any iPhone [Updated]

A new feature that was included in firmware 2.2 was emoticons, however this feature seems to have been made available only to those on the Japanese carrier SoftBank. But, worry not, if you are outside of Japan and feeling a strong desire to have those sometimes annoying little icons, then a fairly simple process will have you texting in style.

The process does involve some plist editing on your iPhone, and a perhaps should also come with a slight warning. If you are uncomfortable, then maybe you should hold off because it would be better to have no emoticons available and have an iPhone in good working order. That said, here is what you need to do:

You need to edit the file /User/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Preferences.plist on the device -> whether you use a jailbreak to achieve this or merely some iTunes backup editor is up to you.

Add the following boolean key as ‘true’: KeyboardEmojiEverywhere

Then merely go to the Keyboards section of the Settings app, hit Japanese, and turn on Emoji. Will work for any text field/view in the OS, including on websites, AND including the titles of items on SpringBoard (e.g. if you save a bookmark to the home screen).

[Steven Troughton-Smith Via MacBlogz Image MacRumors]

[UPDATE] This is also now available as an option withing Cydia. So anyone with a jailbroken iPhone can simply install them by choosing the Emoji app from iSpazio.net.

, , , , ,

20 Comments For This Post

  1. Trinket Says:
    November 24th, 2008 at 11:14 pm

    I haven’t attempted this yet – and this may sound like a dumb question, but…If you use the Emoji in a message, will the receiver see it? Do they have to have Emoji enabled on their iPhone? Are other phone brands able to receive/view these icons?

  2. iMack007 Says:
    February 9th, 2009 at 7:41 am

    …sounds like a logical question to me. I have also tried this manual method via a jailbroken iPhone 3G using WinSCP but Emoji didn’t become available under the Japanese keyboard options… Not even after a reboot. :-(

    The Cydia access method is no good either as the app simply won’t install. I’ll keep trying though, it’ll be nice to have some visuals to go along with txt again. ;-)

  3. Pablo Says:
    February 11th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    With the ipa app genius keyboard (app store), you can enable emoji

  4. Name Says:
    February 15th, 2009 at 12:24 am

    I searched emoji in the app store and downloaded Spell Number not knowing that we weren’t allowed to have emoticons. It worked after going to the website and following instructions.

  5. bsmith Says:
    February 22nd, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Download spell number emoji and then open the app after installing.

    Type in the numbers 9876543.21 (Do not forget the period)
    Press the home button. (That big button at the bottom of your iphone… lol)

    Then go to:
    >settings
    >general
    >keyboard
    >international keyboards
    >japanese
    >turn emoji on

    You are ready to roll.

    There will be a global icon next to the 123 on the bottom in your text area. You will figure it out from there.

    Your welcome.

  6. Pixie Says:
    February 23rd, 2009 at 11:21 am

    Thanks BSMITH!!! That worked like a champ and super easy!

  7. lorin holm Says:
    March 4th, 2009 at 10:57 pm

    i down loaded the app but it dont have the emoji to turn on 2 iphones are missing them cant work please help it has quwety and kana but the Emoji is missing, what the Heck

  8. Apexdv Says:
    March 13th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    The easter egg to add the emoji keyboard has been removed as of the latest version (1.04) :(

  9. Trev Says:
    April 28th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    The code is 91929394.59 follow bsmiths other instructions tho. cheers for the tips!

  10. Anthony Says:
    May 25th, 2009 at 4:50 am

    works brilliantly with new code… Thanks!!

  11. Sophia Says:
    July 17th, 2009 at 11:35 am

    Dumb question but after i type in the number do i press return or do i go straight to the home button?

  12. dgb Says:
    August 24th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Just used the 9192… Codes listed above. Works great. Fun bugging my wife because she doesn’t have them enabled yet! Good fun.

  13. Veyron Says:
    October 25th, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    It w?rks f?r ?e ?

  14. Jen Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 12:03 am

    Thanks! That was so easy :)

  15. radu Says:
    May 17th, 2010 at 5:27 pm

    this emoji thing is actually lame. It is some kind of silly hack/workaround but it is not good. Because they use some other character coding iso and other mobiles don't see them. And also iphones that don't have emoji installed don't see them. I want something that can easily add ascii based emoticons to my messages like :) :* etc and display the emoticons in my message correctly, not this. I can't believe apple didn't think of this.

  16. marc Says:
    June 3rd, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    This installed emoji on my iphone 3gs. Thanks

  17. aoife Says:
    June 18th, 2010 at 1:39 am

    Iphones who dont have emijoi can still see it when other people send it to them. and thanks for the new code :)

  18. Com Says:
    July 7th, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    this might be a stupid qustion but i have a 3gs and i downloaded this app from cydia. everytime i try sending message it says message send failure. does it only work for people with iphones? i also put the code and follow the direction but it didnt work. HELP!!!!!

  19. Sanderella Says:
    December 26th, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    OMG !
    Thanks for the great info, so easy after I read your instructions !!!!

  20. stbrody Says:
    March 3rd, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    the emoji's for verizon iphone only work on iphone/ipads and seen as empty blocks for receivers of non-iphone/ipads. How do i enable this to view on receiver of msg/emails who have other branded phones??