Emoji Keyboard Shortcuts: Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and Chromebook

Tap a device to see its emoji shortcut.

Windows: Win + . (Period)

Pressing this shortcut in almost any app instantly opens the emoji picker, right where your cursor is.

Mac: Cmd + Ctrl + Space

Opens the Character Viewer, where you can search for an emoji and click it to insert it.

iPhone: Add the Emoji Keyboard

Once you have added the emoji keyboard in Settings, tapping the globe (or emoji) icon on your keyboard lets you insert emoji anytime.

Android: The Smiley Icon on Your Keyboard

Most Android keyboard apps put an emoji icon near the spacebar or along the top row, giving you one-tap access whenever you need it.

Chromebook: Search Key + Shift + Space

This shortcut opens the emoji picker on a Chromebook.

No more hunting through menus with your mouse

When you want to drop an emoji into a message or document, knowing one keyboard shortcut means you can insert it instantly without digging through a menu with your mouse. It is especially worth memorizing if you type on a computer often.

Search works too, not just browsing

Almost every emoji picker also has a built-in search box β€” typing the emoji's name or a related word usually finds exactly the one you are thinking of much faster than scrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Windows shortcut is not working β€” what should I do?

Some older versions of Windows do not support this feature, so updating to the latest version usually fixes it.

Can I search for emoji by keyword?

Yes β€” almost every emoji picker includes a search field, so typing the emoji's name or a related word will surface it quickly.