To get the emoji keyboard on a Mac, place your cursor where you want to add an emoji and press Control + Command + Space. You can also press the Fn/Globe key on compatible Mac keyboards. The Character Viewer will appear, allowing you to search for emojis, browse categories, and insert an emoji by clicking it.
Need an emoji but cannot find the emoji keyboard on your Mac? You are not alone. Whether you are writing a message, creating a social media post, or adding a little personality to a document, finding the right emoji should not require digging through complicated settings. Fortunately, macOS includes a built-in Character Viewer that gives you quick access to emojis, symbols, and other special characters.
Learning how to get emoji keyboard on Mac takes only a few seconds once you know the right shortcut. In this guide, you will learn the easiest ways to open the emoji keyboard, search for specific emojis, insert them into different apps, and use the Fn/Globe key when available. The steps are simple enough for beginners and useful for everyday Mac users who want a faster way to add emojis to their text.
What Is the Emoji Keyboard on Mac?
Apple generally refers to the emoji picker as the Character Viewer rather than an “emoji keyboard.” It lets you browse and insert emoji along with symbols, accented characters, and characters from other writing systems.
You can use it in places where you type text, including messages, emails, documents, notes, and many other apps.
For example, you can search for:
heart→ ❤️laughing face→ 😂thumbs up→ 👍fire→ 🔥smiling face→ 😊
The search field can help you find an emoji without scrolling through every category.
How to Open the Emoji Keyboard With a Mac Shortcut
The fastest method is the keyboard shortcut.
Use Control + Command + Space
- Open the app where you want to type.
- Click where you want the emoji to appear.
- Press Control + Command + Space at the same time.
- The Character Viewer opens.
- Select an emoji.
Apple lists Control–Command–Space as a shortcut for showing the Character Viewer.
This is especially useful when you’re typing quickly because you don’t need to open System Settings first.
How to Open Emoji With the Fn or Globe Key
Many current Mac keyboards provide another convenient option.
Press:
Fn/Globe + E
This opens the Character Viewer, where you can browse and search for emoji. Apple also allows you to configure the Fn or Globe key so that pressing it opens Show Emoji & Symbols.
On some newer Mac keyboards, pressing the Fn key itself may open the Character Viewer, depending on your keyboard settings. Apple notes that the Fn key can be configured for emoji and symbols, Dictation, input-source changes, or other functions.
How to Get the Emoji Keyboard From the Menu
If you don’t want to use a keyboard shortcut, you can access emoji through the menu.
In many Mac apps, choose:
Edit → Emoji & Symbols
This opens the Character Viewer. Apple documents this menu option as another way to enter emoji and other special characters.
Once the viewer opens, click an emoji to insert it into your text.
How to Search for an Emoji on Mac
You don’t have to know the exact name of an emoji.
After opening Character Viewer:
- Click the search field.
- Type a word or phrase describing the emoji.
- Look through the results.
- Click the emoji you want.
For example, searching for “laughing face” can help you find a laughing emoji without manually browsing the categories.
This can be faster when you’re looking for a less familiar emoji.
How to Browse Emoji Categories
The Character Viewer organizes emoji into categories, making it easier to find related characters.
Depending on your macOS version and viewer configuration, you can browse categories such as:
- Smileys & People
- Animals & Nature
- Food & Drink
- Activities
- Travel & Places
- Objects
- Symbols
- Flags
You can also customize which categories appear in the expanded Character Viewer.
How to Use Emoji Variations on Mac
Some emoji have variations, including different skin tones.
To see available variations, click and hold an emoji in the Character Viewer. If variations are available, you can choose the version you want.
Not every emoji has skin-tone options, so the available choices depend on the character.
How to Keep the Emoji Viewer Open
If you’re using several emoji in a row, you may want more than the small pop-up.
Apple’s Character Viewer can be expanded into a larger window. From there, you can browse categories, search for characters, customize the displayed categories, and manage favorites.
You can also add frequently used emoji to Favorites for quicker access later.
How to Add the Emoji Option to the Mac Menu Bar
If you frequently use emoji, you can make the Character Viewer easier to access from the menu bar.
Go to:
Apple menu → System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit
Then turn on Show Input menu in menu bar.
The Input menu can give you quick access to the Character Viewer and Keyboard Viewer.
This option is helpful if you don’t want to remember the keyboard shortcut.
Why Isn’t the Emoji Keyboard Opening?
If the shortcut doesn’t work, try these checks.
1. Try Fn/Globe + E
Press Fn/Globe + E. On supported configurations, this opens the Character Viewer.
2. Use Edit → Emoji & Symbols
Open a text field and look for Edit → Emoji & Symbols. This gives you another route to the same Character Viewer.
3. Check the Fn or Globe key setting
Go to:
Apple menu → System Settings → Keyboard
Look for the setting labeled “Press fn key to” or “Press Globe key to.”
You can choose Show Emoji & Symbols if that option is available on your Mac.
4. Check for a shortcut conflict
If you use multiple keyboard input sources or languages, some keyboard shortcuts can behave differently. Apple notes that certain shortcuts may change when multiple input sources are configured.
Related Emoji and Symbols You Can Find on Mac
The Character Viewer isn’t limited to basic smileys. It also gives you access to symbols and many other characters.
| Emoji | Official Name | Common Meaning | Tone | Where or When It Is Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 😀 | Grinning Face | Happiness or friendliness | Cheerful | Greetings, casual texts, positive reactions |
| 😂 | Face with Tears of Joy | Strong amusement | Playful | Jokes, funny messages, reactions |
| 😊 | Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes | Warmth or genuine happiness | Friendly | Thank-you messages, friendly conversations |
| ❤️ | Red Heart | Love, care, or affection | Affectionate | Relationships, support, appreciation |
| 👍 | Thumbs Up | Approval or agreement | Positive | Confirmations, replies, encouragement |
| 😭 | Loudly Crying Face | Intense sadness or exaggerated emotion | Dramatic | Emotional reactions, humor, disappointment |
| 🔥 | Fire | Excitement, praise, or something impressive | Energetic | Compliments, reactions, achievements |
The key difference is that the Character Viewer is the tool for finding these characters, while each emoji has its own meaning that depends on the conversation. For example, 😂 usually signals amusement, while 😭 can express genuine sadness or exaggerated laughter depending on context.
Can You Use Emoji on Mac Without an Emoji Keyboard?
Yes. You don’t need a physical emoji keyboard.
The built-in Character Viewer handles emoji insertion directly through macOS. You can open it with Control + Command + Space, Fn/Globe + E, or through Edit → Emoji & Symbols in supported apps.
That means you can type emoji even though your physical Mac keyboard doesn’t have individual emoji keys.
Can You Use Emoji Suggestions While Typing?
Yes. macOS can also provide emoji suggestions as you type.
For example, after typing a commonly associated word or phrase, you can press Fn/Globe + E. If emoji suggestions are available, you can choose one; otherwise, the Character Viewer opens.
This is useful when you already know the word you want to turn into an emoji.
What Is the Difference Between Keyboard Viewer and Character Viewer?
These two Mac features are easy to confuse.
Keyboard Viewer shows an on-screen version of your keyboard. It can help you see keyboard layouts and special characters available through modifier keys.
Character Viewer is the feature you want when you’re looking for emoji, symbols, and other special characters.
So, if your goal is to get the emoji keyboard on Mac, open the Character Viewer, not the Keyboard Viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortcut for emoji on Mac?
The standard shortcut is Control + Command + Space. It opens the Character Viewer, where you can search for and insert emoji.
How do I get emojis on my MacBook?
Click inside a text field and press Control + Command + Space. Alternatively, use Fn/Globe + E on supported Mac keyboards.
Can I open the emoji keyboard without a shortcut?
Yes. In supported apps, choose Edit → Emoji & Symbols. You can also enable the Input menu in the menu bar to access the Character Viewer more easily.
Why does Fn + E not work on my Mac?
The Fn or Globe key can be assigned different actions in Keyboard settings. Open System Settings → Keyboard and check the setting for Press fn key to or Press Globe key to. You can select Show Emoji & Symbols when available.
Can I search for a specific emoji on Mac?
Yes. Open Character Viewer and type a description, such as “heart,” “smiling face,” or “thumbs up,” into the search field.
Can I save my favorite emojis?
Yes. In the expanded Character Viewer, you can add selected emoji and symbols to Favorites for easier access later.
Conclusion
Getting the emoji keyboard on a Mac is simple because the feature is already built into macOS. The quickest option is Control + Command + Space, while Fn/Globe + E provides another convenient way to open the Character Viewer on supported Macs. You can then search, browse, choose variations, and insert emoji directly into your text without installing additional software.
Olivia Brown is a content writer at EmojissLife.com, where she creates fun, engaging, and easy-to-read emoji guides, meanings and collections. She enjoys turning everyday expressions into creative content that helps readers find the perfect emoji for every moment.