How to use one of the most important features on your phone

We know you love your phones and tablet devices but there’s one thing we’re often asked about that over 60s would love to learn how to use.

You see them everywhere online and in your text messages, but what are emojis and how do you use them?

What are emojis?

They are tiny digital images or icons used to express an emotion to the receiver in a visual way that expands on the simple smiley face. You may have seen an angry face, or even an elephant or a cloud, and each of these can mean something, or be adapted to mean something within your group of friends.

Where can I find emojis on my phone?

Not all phones come with emojis ready to go, though Apple iPhones should be set with the emoji icon in bottom row of your keyboard. Simply click on the smiley face and all the emoji images will show up for you to add to the text (as seen below).

Getting emojis onto Android phones can be tricky and the steps we have might not apply to your phone.

1. Navigate to Settings > Language and input > Google Keyboard settings.
2. Tap Add-on Dictionaries under the text correction subheading.
3. Download and install Emoji for English Words.

If these steps don’t work, you can download an emoji keyboard from the Google Play store.

Note: we are using the emoji images from an iPhone, they do appear slightly different on Android phones.

The top 10 emojis and when to use them:

1. Joy

This emoji can sometimes be mistaken for tears of sadness but it is crying tears of joy and can be used when you’re laughing very hard!

2. Heart Eyes

A face with hearts instead of eyes is used as an expression of love, for example: “I love you” or “I love this”.

3. Information Desk Person

This is a girl holding out her hand as if she were a waitress carrying an invisible tray of drinks, and is often used to convey sassiness or sarcasm.

4. Prayer hands

These were originally meant to say please or thank you in Japanese culture but are commonly used to praise someone or act as a virtual high-five.

5. Unamused face

This can be used when you’re grumpy, annoyed or displeased, and could be interpreted as an eye roll!

6. OK symbol

Represents “I’m okay” or “I like this”.

7. Kissing face

This is an affectionate way to say goodbye. It is generally just friendly, but may be interpreted as flirtatious.

8. Loudly crying face

Not to be confused with the tears of joy emoji, this emoji shows real upset at something, though it can be used jokingly or as an overreaction.

9. Hallelujah 

Use this when you want to celebrate success or a milestone. Can also be used as praise for another person.

10. 100 

The line underneath indicates a perfect score of 100 out of 100 and is commonly used as a shorthand for 100%.

So go on, give emojis a go! You can use them on Facebook too!