How to Use Emojis in Google Chat

Emojis in Google Chat let you react to messages, add tone to your own text, and quickly acknowledge a message without typing a full reply. This guide covers how to insert emojis, use emoji reactions, and manage emoji-related settings in both the web and mobile versions of Google Chat.

What You’ll Need

• A Google account (personal or Workspace) with access to Google Chat.
• Google Chat open in a web browser (chat.google.com or Gmail) or the mobile app (Android/iOS).
• An active chat conversation (direct message or space).

Step-by-Step

Inserting an Emoji in a Message

1. Open the chat conversation where you want to send a message.
2. Click or tap the message input box at the bottom of the chat window.
3. Look for the emoji icon (a smiley face) in the toolbar next to the input box. On web, it’s on the right side of the text field; on mobile, it’s typically in the row above the keyboard.
4. Click or tap the emoji icon to open the emoji picker.
5. Browse through the categories (smileys, animals, food, etc.) or use the search bar at the top of the picker to find a specific emoji (e.g., type “fire” to find 🔥).
6. Click or tap the emoji you want. It will be inserted into your message text.
7. You can add multiple emojis or combine them with text.
8. Press Enter (or tap the send button) to send your message.

Using Emoji Reactions

1. Hover over a message you’ve received (on web) or long-press the message (on mobile).
2. A row of reaction emojis will appear. Click or tap one to add it as a reaction to that message.
3. To see all available reactions, click or tap the “+” (plus) icon in the reaction row to open the full emoji picker.
4. To remove your reaction, click or tap the same emoji again. The reaction will be removed.
5. To see who reacted, click or tap the reaction icon below the message. A list of people who used that reaction will appear.

Using Emoji Shortcuts (Web)

1. In the message input box, type a colon (:) followed by a keyword (e.g., “:thumbs” or “:joy”).
2. A dropdown list of matching emojis will appear.
3. Click the desired emoji or press Enter to select the first one.
4. The emoji will be inserted into your message.

Changing Your Emoji Skin Tone (Web & Mobile)

1. Open the emoji picker by clicking the emoji icon in the message input box.
2. Look for a small colored dot or a person-shaped icon (often in the top-right corner of the picker).
3. Click or tap it and select a skin tone (from default yellow to various skin tones).
4. Your choice will be applied to all subsequent emojis that support skin tones.

Common Mistakes

• Using emojis in the subject line of a message: Google Chat doesn’t support emojis in the subject field of a message. Insert them only in the body.
• Expecting emojis to work in all fonts: Some older systems may not display certain emojis correctly, showing a square box instead. This is a device limitation, not a Google Chat issue.
• Overusing reactions: Reacting with too many emojis to a single message can clutter the thread and distract from the conversation.
• Using the wrong emoji in a professional context: In a work environment, avoid emojis that could be misinterpreted. Stick to common ones like 👍, 😀, or 👏.

Tips

• Quick reactions: Use the quick reaction bar (the default set of emojis) for fast responses like thumbs up or a smiley. It saves time.
• Search for emojis: Instead of scrolling, use the search bar in the emoji picker. Search by name (e.g., “clap”) or by emotion (e.g., “happy”).
• Combine emojis with text: Emojis can replace words (e.g., “I’m feeling 😊 today”) or add emphasis (e.g., “Great job! 🎉”).
• Use emoji shortcuts: Typing “:” on web is faster than opening the picker. Learn a few common ones like “:)” for smiley or “:+1” for thumbs up.
• Custom emojis (Workspace only): If your organization has enabled custom emojis, you can access them in the picker under a “Custom” tab. Use them to add team-specific flair.

Troubleshooting

• Emoji picker not opening: Refresh the page (web) or restart the app (mobile). If the issue persists, check your internet connection. Clear the browser cache or app cache if needed.
• Emojis not appearing in the message: Make sure you’re typing in the message body, not the subject line. Also, check that you haven’t accidentally enabled a plain-text mode (unlikely in Google Chat, but possible with browser extensions).
• Reactions not visible: Some older versions of Google Chat may not support reactions. Update the app or use the web version. Also, ensure you’re not using a browser that blocks JavaScript.
• Emojis show as squares: This is a device or OS issue. Update your operating system or browser to the latest version. On mobile, ensure your keyboard supports the latest emoji set.
• Skin tone changes not sticking: The skin tone setting is stored per device. If you change it on web, it may not apply on mobile. Set it on each device you use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use emojis in Google Chat spaces?

Yes, emojis work in both direct messages and spaces, including in threads and as reactions.

How do I add a custom emoji to Google Chat?

Custom emojis must be added by a Google Workspace administrator. If your admin has enabled them, you’ll see a “Custom” tab in the emoji picker. You can’t add custom emojis yourself.

Can I use emojis in the subject line of a message?

No, the subject line is plain text only. Insert emojis in the message body.

Why don’t some emojis appear on my device?

Emojis are defined by the Unicode standard. Older devices or operating systems may not support the latest emojis. Update your software to see them.

Is there a limit to how many emojis I can use in a message?

No specific limit, but keep messages reasonable in length. Extremely long messages may be truncated.

Can I react with any emoji?

Yes, you can use any emoji from the picker as a reaction, not just the quick reactions shown.

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