Where to find the emoji settings on Snapchat

Snapchat lets you change how emojis look on your phone by switching between different emoji styles — the built-in set your phone uses, or alternative designs from your device's operating system. The emoji settings live in Snapchat's preferences, not in your phone's general settings.

Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Then tap the gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down until you see "Emojis" — this is where you control which emoji style appears in the app.

The exact location and name of this setting can shift slightly between app updates, but it stays in the main Settings menu. If you cannot find it when ready, scroll through the full Settings list rather than assuming it has moved.

Key Takeaways

  • Snapchat's emoji style setting is in your profile menu under Settings, not in your phone's general settings.
  • You can switch between your phone's default emoji set and alternative styles, depending on what your device offers.
  • The change takes effect when ready across all conversations and stories.
  • Changing emoji styles in Snapchat does not affect how emojis look in other apps on your phone.

What emoji styles are available

The emoji options you see depend on your phone's operating system and which emoji sets it supports. Most phones offer at least two choices: the default emoji style that comes with your device, and sometimes an alternative design.

iPhone users typically see Apple's emoji set as the default, with limited alternatives depending on iOS version. Android users see Google's emoji designs by default, and may see other options if their phone manufacturer or Android version includes them.

Snapchat does not create its own emoji designs — it uses whatever your phone's operating system provides. If you want a wider range of emoji styles, that choice lives in your phone's settings, not in Snapchat.

How to switch between emoji styles in Snapchat

Once you are in the Emojis section of Snapchat Settings, you will see a list of available styles. Tap the one you want to use. The change happens when ready — close the settings menu and your conversations will display the new emoji style right away.

You can switch back and forth between styles at any time. There is no limit to how often you change, and switching does not affect any messages you have already sent — those keep their original appearance.

Why emojis might look different across devices

If you send an emoji to a friend on a different type of phone, it may look different on their screen than it does on yours. An emoji you send from an iPhone looks like Apple's design on your screen, but appears as Google's design on an Android friend's phone. This is normal and happens because each phone draws emojis using its own style.

Changing your emoji style in Snapchat only changes what you see — it does not change what your friends see when you send them messages. Your friends always see emojis in their phone's native style, regardless of which style you have selected.

Emoji styles do not sync across apps

The emoji style you choose in Snapchat only affects Snapchat. Your text messages, email, Instagram, and other apps continue to use their own emoji styles or your phone's default style. Each app controls its own emoji appearance independently.

If you want to change emoji styles across your entire phone, that setting lives in your device's general settings, not in individual apps. Snapchat's emoji setting is a Snapchat-only preference.

Troubleshooting emoji display problems

If emojis look broken, appear as boxes, or do not display at all in Snapchat, the problem is usually not the emoji style setting. This typically means your app needs an update or your phone's emoji system needs a refresh.

Try closing Snapchat completely and reopening it. If that does not work, check the app store on your phone for a Snapchat update and install it. On iPhone, go to the App Store and search for Snapchat; on Android, open Google Play and search for Snapchat. If an update is available, tap Update.

If emojis still do not display correctly after updating, restart your phone. This clears temporary files that may be interfering with emoji rendering. After restarting, open Snapchat again and check whether emojis appear normally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use custom emojis in Snapchat?

Snapchat does not support uploading or creating custom emojis within the app. You can only choose from the emoji styles your phone's operating system provides. Some Snapchat features like Bitmoji — personalized cartoon avatars — let you customize your appearance, but those are separate from standard emojis.

Will changing emoji styles affect my saved messages?

No. Messages you have already sent and received keep their original emoji appearance. Changing your emoji style only affects new messages you send and how you see emojis going forward. Old conversations do not update.

Why do my emojis look different from my friend's?

Because you are using different phones. If you have an iPhone and your friend has an Android, you each see emojis in your phone's native style. This is not a problem — it is how all messaging apps work. The emoji you send is the same; it just looks different on each device.

Can I change emoji size in Snapchat?

Snapchat does not have a built-in setting to change emoji size. Emoji size is determined by the text size you use in your message. If you want larger emojis, type them on their own line or use fewer emojis per message so they take up more space.