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 setting is in your account preferences, not in a separate emoji menu. Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner, then tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Once you're in Settings, scroll down until you see "Emoji Style" or "Emojis" — the exact name varies slightly depending on whether you use iOS or Android. Tap that option and you'll see a list of available emoji styles to choose from.

Key Takeaways

  • Emoji style settings are found in your Snapchat profile menu under Settings, not in a separate app section.
  • Snapchat offers several emoji styles including Apple emojis, Google emojis, and Snapchat's own design, depending on your phone type.
  • Changing your emoji style affects how emojis appear everywhere in the app — in chats, stories, and captions.
  • Your choice only changes emojis on your own phone; other users see their own emoji style based on their device settings.

What emoji styles are available

The emoji options you see depend on your phone's operating system. iPhone users typically see Apple emojis as the default, but can also switch to Google emojis or Snapchat's native emoji set. Android users usually see Google emojis by default and can switch to other available styles.

Snapchat's own emoji design is a third option on both platforms — these are the rounded, colorful emojis designed specifically for Snapchat. The exact list of available styles changes occasionally as Snapchat updates the app, so if you don't see a style you remember, it may have been removed in a recent update.

How to switch between emoji styles

Once you're in the Emoji Style menu, each available style appears as a preview showing how common emojis like the smiley face, heart, and thumbs up will look. Tap the style you want to use. The change takes effect when ready — you don't need to restart the app or confirm your choice.

After you switch, all emojis in your chats, story captions, and anywhere else in Snapchat will display in your new style. If you change your mind, go back to the same menu and pick a different style. You can switch as many times as you want.

Why your emoji style might look different from your friend's

If you send an emoji to a friend and they tell you it looks different on their phone, that's normal. Each person's emoji style is controlled by their own device settings, not by what you send. When you send a smiley face emoji, your friend receives the same emoji character, but their phone displays it in whatever style they've chosen.

This means you could be using Apple emojis while your friend uses Google emojis, and you'd both see your own style when you look at the same message. Changing your emoji style only affects what you see on your screen — it doesn't change what other people see.

Troubleshooting if emoji style won't change

If you tap an emoji style and it doesn't seem to change, try closing and reopening Snapchat completely. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (iPhone) or use your back button (Android) to close the app entirely, then open it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to display the new style.

If the Emoji Style option doesn't appear in your Settings menu at all, make sure you're running the latest version of Snapchat. Open your phone's app store, search for Snapchat, and check whether an update is available. Older versions of the app may not have this feature or may have it in a different location.

Emoji style on different devices

Your emoji style choice is tied to the specific device you're using. If you use Snapchat on both your phone and a tablet, you can set different emoji styles on each device — they don't sync together. Changing the style on your phone won't affect how emojis look when you use Snapchat on a different device.

If you log into Snapchat on a new phone, the emoji style will reset to whatever the default is for that device's operating system. You'll need to go back into Settings and choose your preferred style again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use custom emojis on Snapchat?

No, Snapchat doesn't let you upload or create your own custom emojis. You can only choose from the emoji styles Snapchat provides. However, you can use Snapchat's Bitmoji feature to create a personalized avatar that appears in some places in the app.

Do my friends see the emoji style I chose?

No. Your friends see emojis in whatever style they've chosen on their own device. When you send an emoji, it arrives as the same character, but displays in their chosen style on their screen.

What if I don't see the Emoji Style option in Settings?

This feature may not be available in older versions of Snapchat. Check your app store to see if an update is available. If you're already on the latest version and still don't see it, the feature may not be available in your region yet.

Can I change emoji style for just one conversation?

No, your emoji style choice applies to all of Snapchat. When you change it, the new style appears everywhere in the app — in all chats, stories, and captions.