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How to Open the Emoji Keyboard on a Mac

Command + Control + Space is your key to emoji

By Sandy Writtenhouse Sandy Writtenhouse Writer Kaplan University Sandy has been writing about technology since 2012. Her work has appeared on How-To Geek, MakeUseOf, iDownloadBlog, groovyPost, and many other websites. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on September 29, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section Use the Menu Bar Use a Keyboard Shortcut Use the Globe Key More on Using Emoji Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know

Method 1: Select Edit > Emoji & Symbols from the menu bar.Method 2: Use the keyboard shortcut Command + Control + Space.Method 3: Press the Fn/globe key on your Mac keyboard. This article explains the three different ways to open the emoji keyboard and switch to the Character Viewer for additional symbols.

Use the Menu Bar

As a Mac user, you know that the Mac menu bar holds actions for Finder along with the app you’re currently using. This makes the menu bar the easiest way to remember how to access the emoji keyboard. Select Edit and choose Emoji & Symbols. You’ll then see those happy smileys, people, and animals open in a small window.

Use a Keyboard Shortcut

If you’re a fan of Mac keyboard shortcuts and find it easy to remember those you need, then here's a new one for you: Command + Control + Space. The emoji window pops right up for you to make a selection.

Use the Globe Key

Newer Macs come with a key in the lower left corner labeled with a globe or an FN. Press the FN key and the emoji keyboard pops right up.

Adjust the Keyboard Settings to Make Sure the Emoji Keyboard Shows up

If you don’t see the emoji keyboard open, you can make a simple adjustment to your settings.
Open System Preferences with the icon in your Dock or use the Apple icon in the menu bar and select Keyboard. Then go to the Keyboard tab. In the drop-down menu next to Press (globe key) to, pick Show Emoji & Symbols. You can then close System Preferences and give your globe key another press. You should see the emoji keyboard open right up.

How to Use the Emoji Keyboard

Once you have the emoji keyboard open, use the tabs at the bottom to select people, animals, food, activities, or another category. Alternatively, you can enter a keyword into the Search box. Select the emoji you want to use and then double-click to insert it into your document, note, or email where your cursor sits. If you prefer, you can also drag the emoji from the window to your document where you want it. To see additional symbols, click the Character Viewer button on the top right corner of the emoji window. This displays the Character Viewer with categories along the left side. You can insert an emoji or symbol into a document or other spot the same way. Either double-click or drag the character where you want it. FAQ How do I update the emoji keyboard on my Mac? You can't update the emoji keyboard like you would a standalone application, but any available updates will be downloaded and installed when you update macOS on your computer. How do I change emoji colors on my Mac? With the emoji keyboard open, select and hold down on the emoji you want to change. If color options are available you'll see a pop-up menu with with those variations. Select the variation you want to use and it will be set as your new default for that emoji. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Make an Arrow on a Keyboard How to Use the F Keys on a Mac How to Make a Cent Sign on a Keyboard How to Use the Emoji Keyboard for Galaxy Phones How to Make a Divide Sign on a Keyboard How to Add Emoji to Your iPhone Keyboard How to Control F On a Mac How to Insert Special Characters in Mac Mail How to Add Acute Accent Marks on Mac and PC How to Turn on Bluetooth on a Mac How to Insert a Copyright Symbol or Emoji on a PowerPoint Slide The Best Windows Keyboard Shortcuts in 2022 The Best Mac Shortcuts in 2022 How to Get iPhone Emojis for Your Android How to Make the Copyright Symbol on Your Computer How to Modify the Mac Finder Sidebar Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies