Quick Answer|
The Mac emoji keyboard lets you browse, search, and insert emojis and other symbols while typing. On most Macs, press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer. You can also use the Fn/Globe key if it is configured to open the emoji and symbols viewer. Apple calls this feature the Character Viewer, and it includes emojis, symbols, and other special characters.
The Mac emoji keyboard makes it easy to add emojis to messages, documents, emails, social posts, and other text without needing to copy them from another website. Instead of having a separate emoji keyboard like an iPhone, Mac uses the Character Viewer to provide access to emojis and many other characters.
You can open the viewer with Control + Command + Space, then browse emoji categories or search for a specific emoji by name. Apple also supports using the Fn/Globe key to open the Character Viewer on compatible keyboards and Macs.
The Character Viewer is useful for more than emojis. It can also provide symbols, special characters, and other writing characters. This makes the Mac emoji keyboard a convenient tool when you need something that is not available directly on your physical keyboard.
What Is the Mac Emoji Keyboard?
The Mac emoji keyboard is the emoji and symbol selection tool built into macOS. Apple refers to the full interface as the Character Viewer.
It lets you:
- Find emojis
- Search for emojis by name
- Browse emoji categories
- Insert emojis into text
- Find symbols and special characters
- View recently used characters
- Use different emoji variations where available
You do not need to install a separate emoji keyboard to use these features.
How to Open the Emoji Keyboard on Mac
The quickest method is a keyboard shortcut.
Use Control + Command + Space
Place your cursor where you want the emoji to appear and press:
Control + Command + Space
The Character Viewer should appear, allowing you to browse or search for emojis and symbols. Apple lists this shortcut as a way to show the Character Viewer.
Use the Fn or Globe Key
On compatible Mac keyboards, pressing the Fn/Globe key can open the Character Viewer if that key is configured for emoji and symbols. Apple notes that the Function key can be set to show emoji and symbols in Keyboard settings.
If the Fn/Globe key does something else on your Mac, you can change its behavior in System Settings > Keyboard.
How to Search for an Emoji on Mac
Once the Character Viewer is open, you can search instead of scrolling through every category.
For example, if you need a laughing emoji:
- Open the Character Viewer.
- Click the search field.
- Type a word such as laughing.
- Look through the matching results.
- Click the emoji you want.
Apple’s documentation explains that you can type a search term to locate an emoji or other character.
This is especially helpful when you know what an emoji represents but do not remember where it appears in the emoji categories.
How to Insert an Emoji on Mac
Adding an emoji is simple.
- Open the app where you want to type.
- Click where you want the emoji to appear.
- Press Control + Command + Space.
- Search for an emoji or browse the categories.
- Click the emoji.
The selected character is inserted at the location of your text cursor. Apple also documents inserting emojis through the Character Viewer in apps such as Pages.
For example:
Have a great day! 😊
You can insert the emoji after typing the sentence without leaving the application.
How to Browse Emojis on a Mac
You can browse emojis through the categories shown in the Character Viewer.
Depending on the version of macOS and the viewer layout, you can move through categories to find:
- Smileys and people
- Animals and nature
- Food and drink
- Travel and places
- Activities
- Objects
- Symbols
- Flags
Browsing can be useful when you know the general type of emoji you want but do not know its name.
How to Find Recently Used Emojis
The Character Viewer can also make frequently used characters easier to find.
If you regularly use the same emojis in messages or documents, checking the recent characters area can save time compared with searching for each one again.
This is useful for commonly used emojis such as:
😂 ❤️ 👍 😊 🎉
The exact appearance and organization of the viewer can vary between macOS versions.
How to Use Emoji Variations
Some emojis have variations, including different skin-tone options.
Apple’s Pages documentation explains that you can click and hold an emoji in the Character Viewer to see available variations.
For example, some person and hand emojis offer different skin-tone choices.
This does not apply to every emoji because many emojis do not have skin-tone variations.
Mac Emoji Keyboard vs. iPhone Emoji Keyboard
The basic purpose is the same, but the interface is different.
| Feature | Mac | iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Emoji access | Character Viewer | On-screen emoji keyboard |
| Physical keyboard | Yes | No physical keyboard required |
| Search emojis | Yes | Yes |
| Symbols | Yes | Yes |
| Shortcut | Control + Command + Space | Tap the emoji keyboard button |
| Alternative access | Fn/Globe key on compatible Macs | Emoji keyboard button |
On a Mac, the Character Viewer is designed to work alongside the physical keyboard and gives access to emojis as well as many other characters.
Mac Emoji Keyboard Shortcuts
The most useful shortcut to remember is:
Control + Command + Space → Opens the Character Viewer.
On supported Macs and keyboards:
Fn/Globe → Can open the Character Viewer when configured for emoji and symbols.
Apple’s current Mac keyboard shortcut documentation lists Control + Command + Space or Fn-E as ways to show the Character Viewer.
What Else Can You Find in the Character Viewer?
The Character Viewer is not limited to emojis.
You can also use it to find:
- Mathematical symbols
- Currency symbols
- Arrows
- Punctuation
- Special characters
- Language characters
- Other pictographs
Apple describes the Character Viewer as a way to access emojis, symbols, and other special characters.
For example, you might use it to insert:
→ ★ ✓ © ™ €
without needing to remember a keyboard shortcut for each character.
Why Isn’t My Mac Emoji Keyboard Opening?
If the shortcut does not work, try these steps:
Check the keyboard shortcut
Make sure you are pressing:
Control + Command + Space
rather than Command + Space. Command + Space is normally used for Spotlight.
Try the Fn/Globe key
If your Mac has an Fn or Globe key, try pressing it. Its behavior can be changed in Keyboard settings.
Open Emoji & Symbols from a Menu
In supported apps, you can also use Edit > Emoji & Symbols to open the Character Viewer. Apple documents this method for apps such as TextEdit and Pages.
How to Get the Mac Emoji Keyboard on the Screen
You do not need to download a separate emoji keyboard. The Character Viewer is already part of macOS.
To access it:
Control + Command + Space
Then search or browse for the character you need.
If you use the emoji picker often, the Character Viewer can also be opened through the keyboard’s Fn/Globe key when that key is configured for emoji and symbols.
FAQs
What is the Mac emoji keyboard shortcut?
Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer. Apple also lists Fn-E as an alternative shortcut in its current keyboard shortcut documentation.
How do I get emojis on my Mac keyboard?
Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for an emoji, and click it to insert it into your text.
Does Mac have an emoji keyboard like iPhone?
Mac has an emoji selection tool called the Character Viewer rather than the same on-screen keyboard interface used on iPhone.
How do I search emojis on Mac?
Open the Character Viewer and use its search field. Type a word describing the emoji you want, then select the matching character.
Can I use emojis in Mac messages?
Yes. Open the Character Viewer while your cursor is in the message field and click the emoji you want to insert.
Conclusion
The Mac emoji keyboard is built into macOS through the Character Viewer, so you do not need a separate app or keyboard extension to access emojis. The fastest way to open it is Control + Command + Space, while compatible Macs can also use the Fn/Globe key when configured for emoji and symbols.
Once the viewer is open, you can search for emojis, browse categories, choose available variations, and access many other symbols. Learning this one shortcut makes adding emojis to messages, documents, captions, and other text much faster.
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