You can change Snapchat emojis through the app's settings, but your options are limited to a few preset styles

Snapchat lets you swap out the emoji set that appears in your chats and on your profile, but not in the way you might expect. You cannot read custom emoji packs or create your own designs. Instead, Snapchat offers a small selection of built-in emoji styles — usually between three and five different looks — and you switch between them in your settings. The process takes about 30 seconds.

The emoji style you choose affects how emojis look when you send them in messages, when they appear next to your name on the Snapchat map, and in other places throughout the app. Everyone else will see the same emoji style you selected, so your friends will notice the change. If you switch back to the default style later, the emojis in old conversations will update to match.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon in the top left, then tap Settings (the gear icon) to find the emoji style menu.
  • Scroll down to the "Emoji Style" or "Emoji" section and tap it to see all available emoji designs on your device.
  • Tap the emoji style you want to use, and Snapchat will explore it when ready across the entire app.
  • Your emoji choice is personal to your account — your friends' emoji styles do not affect what you see, and your choice does not affect what they see.
  • The number of emoji styles available depends on your phone's operating system and Snapchat version; iOS and Android may have different options.

Step-by-step: changing your emoji style on iOS

Open the Snapchat app and look for your profile icon — a small circle or square photo in the top left corner of the camera screen. Tap it once. You will see your profile page with your username, Snapcode, and other account details.

In the top right corner of your profile page, tap the gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down through the menu until you find "Emoji Style" or sometimes labeled straightforward as "Emoji." Tap that option. Snapchat will show you a row of emoji styles to choose from, each displayed as a small preview of how the emojis will look.

Tap the style you want to use. Snapchat applies the change when ready — you do not need to restart the app or confirm anything. Close Settings by tapping the back arrow or swiping left, and your new emoji style is now active everywhere in the app.

Step-by-step: changing your emoji style on Android

The process on Android is nearly identical. Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner of the camera screen. Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top right of your profile page.

Scroll down to find "Emoji Style" or "Emoji" in the Settings menu. Tap it to see the available styles. Select the one you prefer by tapping it, and the change takes effect right away. You can close Settings and return to the camera screen.

If you do not see an "Emoji Style" option in your Settings menu, your version of Snapchat may not support emoji customization yet, or the feature may not be rolled out to your region. Try updating Snapchat from the App Store or Google Play Store to see if the option appears.

What emoji styles are usually available

Snapchat typically offers between three and five emoji designs, though the exact number changes over time and may differ between iOS and Android. The default style is usually Snapchat's own design — a clean, straightforward look. Other options often include Apple's emoji style (if you are on iOS), a more rounded or cartoon-like style, or occasionally a limited-time special design.

The emoji styles you see depend on your phone's operating system. iOS users may see Apple's native emoji set as an option, while Android users might see Google's Noto emoji style or Samsung's design if you use a Samsung device. Snapchat does not always offer identical choices across both platforms.

If you want to see what each style looks like before committing, the preview in the Emoji Style menu shows you a sample of how numbers, letters, and common emojis will appear in that design. Tap through them to compare before you decide.

Why your emoji style might not be changing

If you tap an emoji style and nothing seems to happen, the most common reason is that you are already using that style. Check a recent message or your profile to confirm which style is currently active, then try selecting a different one.

If the Emoji Style option does not appear in your Settings menu at all, make sure you are running the latest version of Snapchat. Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android), search for Snapchat, and tap "Update" if one is available. Snapchat rolls out features gradually, so older versions may not have the emoji customization menu yet.

Restarting the Snapchat app sometimes helps if the setting seems stuck. Close Snapchat completely (swipe it away from your recent apps), wait a few seconds, then reopen it and try again.

How your emoji choice appears to others

When you change your emoji style, everyone who receives your messages will see the emojis in the style you selected. If you send a thumbs-up emoji using the rounded cartoon style, your friend will see that rounded thumbs-up, not their own emoji style.

The emoji style you choose also affects how emojis appear next to your name on the Snapchat map (if you have location sharing turned on) and in other places where Snapchat displays emojis tied to your account. Your friends cannot override this — they see what you chose.

If you change your emoji style later, old messages will update to show the new style. Your friend will not see the old emoji design anymore; the entire conversation will reflect your current emoji choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use emoji from my phone's system settings instead of Snapchat's options?

No. Snapchat overrides your phone's emoji settings and uses only the styles it offers in the app. You cannot import custom emoji packs or use your device's native emoji set unless Snapchat includes it as one of the available options.

Will changing my emoji style affect how my friends see their own emojis?

No. Your emoji style choice is personal to your account only. Your friends will continue to see emojis in whatever style they selected for themselves. When you send them a message with an emoji, they see your chosen style; when they send you one, you see theirs.

What happens to emojis in old conversations if I change my style?

All emojis in your entire chat history will update to match your new style. If you switch from the default Snapchat emoji to Apple's style, every emoji in every old message will now appear in Apple's design. If you switch back later, they will revert to the default.

Why do I see fewer emoji style options than my friend?

Snapchat sometimes rolls out new emoji styles to different regions or device types at different times. iOS and Android users may have different options available. Updating your app to the latest version usually brings you in line with what others can see.

Can I create a custom emoji style or upload my own?

Snapchat does not support custom emoji creation or uploads. You can only choose from the preset styles the app provides. If you want a specific look, you would need to wait for Snapchat to release a style that matches what you are looking for.