Emojis have become an essential part of digital communication in the modern world. The small, colorful icons help convey tone and emotion in messages across various platforms. WhatsApp, being one of the most popular messaging apps, supports emojis on both iOS and Android devices. If you own an iPhone and want to spice up your WhatsApp chats with emojis, there are a few simple steps you need to follow.
What are Emojis?
Emojis are small digital images or icons used to express an idea, emotion, etc. in electronic communications. The word “emoji” comes from the Japanese language, a combination of the words “e” (picture) and “moji” (character). Emojis originated in Japan in the late 1990s and have since become a worldwide phenomenon, thanks to mobile messaging apps. There are hundreds of emojis available today, including facial expressions, animals, foods, objects, symbols, flags, etc. Each emoji carries a different meaning that the sender intends to convey visually. For example, a smiling face emoji indicates happiness or joy, while a heart emoji may signify love. Emojis provide a fun and creative way to communicate beyond just text.
Why are Emojis Important for WhatsApp?
WhatsApp has over 2 billion active users worldwide who exchange 65 billion messages daily. With such high usage, emojis have emerged as an important part of communicating on WhatsApp. Here are some key reasons why emojis are essential on WhatsApp:
- Convey emotions better: Emojis help convey the emotion, tone or feeling behind a message accurately when plain text fails to do so.
- Break language barriers: WhatsApp is used globally where English may not be the primary language. Emojis are universal icons that overcome language barriers.
- Enhance engagement: Messages with emojis tend to grab more attention and have higher response rates.
- Save time: Emojis let you express complex emotions quickly without having to type long sentences.
- Make chats fun: Emojis add humor and fun to everyday conversations, making chats lively.
- Aid understanding: When used appropriately, emojis provide context and prevent miscommunication.
In short, emojis allow WhatsApp users to humanize digital conversations and get their messages across in a quicker, clearer and more entertaining way. No wonder they have become so popular on WhatsApp chats!
How to Get Emojis on iPhone for WhatsApp
WhatsApp automatically enables emojis for iPhones. However, you need to know where to access the emoji keyboard to start using them. Follow these simple steps to get emojis on WhatsApp for iPhone:
- Check if your iPhone supports emojis – All iPhones running iOS 11 and above natively support emojis so you just need to have a compatible device.
- Update to the latest WhatsApp version – Make sure you are running the latest version of WhatsApp iOS app for all the newest emojis.
- Open a WhatsApp chat – Tap on any contact’s chat window whom you wish to send an emoji.
- Tap on the text box – This will open the on-screen keyboard on your iPhone.
- Tap and hold the emoji icon – It is the small smiley icon on the bottom left of the keyboard. Hold it down until the emoji keyboard loads.
- Select the emoji – Browse through the different emoji categories and tap any emoji to insert it.
- Insert emojis anywhere in chats – You can add emojis within text or use just emojis to communicate.
And you’re done! Following these simple steps activates the emoji keyboard so you can start sending emojis on WhatsApp chats from your iPhone. Have fun with emojis!
How to Get New Emojis
WhatsApp regularly adds new emojis to its platform. Here’s how you can get the latest emojis on WhatsApp for iPhone:
- Update WhatsApp – Make sure WhatsApp is updated to the latest version from the App Store. New emoji releases come with app updates.
- Update your iPhone’s iOS – Upgrading iOS updates the native emoji keyboard with new emojis. These automatically reflect in WhatsApp.
- Use iOS or macOS betas – Apple usually adds new emojis in iOS and macOS beta versions before public release.
- Wait for updates – Over time, new emojis make their way to the WhatsApp app as standard iOS emojis.
You can also download third-party emoji keyboard apps from the App Store for more diverse emojis. But native emoji support is recommended for a seamless WhatsApp experience.
Common Emojis and Their Meanings
With hundreds of emojis available, you may not know the meaning of all emojis, especially new ones. Here are some of the most commonly used emojis and what they signify:
| Emoji | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 😀 😁 😂 🤣 | Laughing, happy, joyful |
| 😍 🥰 😘 | Love, romance, affection |
| 😉 😏 | Sarcasm, joking, teasing |
| 😓 😥 😰 😟 😕 | Sadness, lack of energy, worried |
| 😡 😠 😤 | Anger, frustration, grumpiness |
| 🎉 ✨ 🎊 🥳 | Celebration, joy, enthusiasm |
This table covers some of the most used emojis on WhatsApp and their common meanings. However, emojis can be subjective, and meanings may vary based on context. It’s a good idea to pick up emoji usage from WhatsApp conversations and clarify if any confusion arises.
Best Practices for Using Emojis
While emojis are fun, use them thoughtfully to avoid miscommunication. Here are some emoji best practices on WhatsApp:
- Use emojis relevant to the conversation and context.
- Avoid overusing emojis as it may seem childish or unprofessional.
- Be mindful of cultural differences in emoji interpretations.
- Clarify emoji meanings if the recipient is confused.
- Don’t reply using only emojis unless it’s a casual chat.
- Use emojis alongside text, not as a replacement for words.
Following these etiquettes will prevent emoji-related misunderstandings. With mindfulness, you can make the most of emojis to elevate your WhatsApp conversations.
Troubleshooting Emoji Issues
In some cases, you may encounter issues with sending or receiving emojis on WhatsApp. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Can’t see emoji icons
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version
- Update your iPhone’s iOS version if needed
- Check internet connectivity and restart WhatsApp
Emojis appear as boxes or blocks
- The recipient may be using an outdated OS unable to render emojis
- Update the recipient’s OS or device to view emojis
- Avoid sending new emojis if the recipient’s device lacks support
Sent emojis appear distorted/different
- WhatsApp automatically converts some emojis into the iOS style
- The appearance may differ slightly across platforms
- Try sending emojis selectively if appearance is too distorted
Minor technical glitches can hamper emoji appearance. But updating apps and devices usually resolves common emoji issues. Reach out to WhatsApp support if problems persist.
Fun Facts About WhatsApp Emojis
Here are some interesting facts and statistics about emoji usage on WhatsApp:
- Over 700 million emojis are sent on WhatsApp daily worldwide.
- The laughing emoji with tears of joy 😂 is the most popular WhatsApp emoji.
- 93% of online communications contain emojis as per WhatsApp statistics.
- WhatsApp users under 25 years old use emojis the most in chats.
- The heart ❤️ and kissing 😘 emojis are more commonly used by women on WhatsApp.
- 👍 Thumbs up is the most commonly used emoji in WhatsApp group chats.
- WhatsApp periodically reviews emoji designs based on user feedback and usage trends.
Emojis clearly make WhatsApp conversations more fun, engaging and expressive for over 2 billion users globally! With the rising emoji popularity, this visual language is here to stay on our favorite messaging app.
Conclusion
Emojis are an integral part of the WhatsApp experience, enabling users worldwide to express themselves creatively. With iPhone’s native emoji keyboard, accessing emojis on WhatsApp just takes a few taps. Make sure to use emojis thoughtfully and clarify meanings if recipients are confused. Periodic app updates will give you all the newest and trending emojis on WhatsApp. Embrace emojis to take your WhatsApp chats to the next level with visual expression!