Where to Find Snapchat's Emoji Settings
Snapchat lets you change how emojis look on your account through the app's settings menu. The emoji style you choose affects how emojis appear in your chats, stories, and anywhere else in the app — but only on your own device. Other users will still see their own emoji style when they look at your messages.
To reach the emoji 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 "Emoji Style" or "Emoji" in the list. The exact location varies slightly depending on whether you use iOS or Android, but it is always in the main Settings menu.
Key Takeaways
- Emoji style changes only affect what you see on your own device, not what other users see when you send them messages.
- You can find emoji settings by opening your profile, tapping the gear icon, and scrolling to "Emoji Style" in the Settings menu.
- Snapchat offers multiple emoji styles including Apple's default style, Google's Noto style, and Samsung's style depending on your device.
- Changing your emoji style takes effect when ready across all chats and conversations in the app.
What Emoji Styles Are Available
The emoji options you see depend on what device you use. On iPhone, you typically see Apple's native emoji style as the default, along with options like Noto (Google's design) if Snapchat has made them available. On Android phones, you may see Google's Noto style, Samsung's style, or other options depending on your phone manufacturer and Snapchat's current offerings.
Each style has a different look and feel. Apple's emojis tend toward a rounder, more colorful appearance. Google's Noto emojis are flatter and more geometric. Samsung's style has its own distinct character. You can preview how each style looks before you commit to the change — when you tap on an emoji style option, you will see a sample of how that style renders common emojis.
How to Switch Between Emoji Styles
Once you are in the Emoji Style menu, you will see a list of available options. Tap the style you want to use. Snapchat will explore that style when ready to all emojis throughout the app. You do not need to restart the app or confirm the change — it takes effect right away.
If you change your mind, you can return to Settings and switch to a different style at any time. There is no limit to how many times you can change your emoji style, and Snapchat does not charge for this feature.
Why Your Emojis Look Different From Your Friends' Emojis
When you send a message with an emoji to a friend, they see the emoji in their own emoji style, not yours. This is why two people looking at the same conversation can see slightly different-looking emojis. Your friend on an iPhone will see Apple's emoji design, while your friend on a Samsung phone will see Samsung's design, even though you both sent the same emoji character.
This also means that changing your emoji style does not change how your messages appear to other people. If you switch from Apple emojis to Google Noto emojis, your friends will not notice any difference in the messages you send them. The change is purely visual on your own screen.
Emoji Style Changes on Different Devices
If you use Snapchat on multiple devices — for example, an iPhone and an iPad — you can set a different emoji style on each device. Your emoji preference does not sync across devices the way some other settings do. This means you might see Apple emojis on your phone but Google Noto emojis on your tablet if you set them that way.
When you log into Snapchat on a new device for the first time, it will use the default emoji style for that device's operating system. You can then customize it to whatever you prefer on that specific device.
Troubleshooting Emoji Style Problems
If you change your emoji style and the change does not appear to take effect, try closing and reopening the Snapchat app. Sometimes the visual update takes a moment to render across the entire app. If emojis still look the same after reopening the app, check that you actually tapped the style you wanted — the selected style is usually marked with a checkmark or highlight.
If the Emoji Style option is not visible in your Settings menu, you may have an older version of Snapchat. Open your device's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and check for updates. Snapchat regularly adds and removes features, so updating to the latest version may restore the emoji style option if it is missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different emoji styles for different conversations?
No. The emoji style you choose in Settings applies to all of Snapchat at once. You cannot set one style for one friend and a different style for another friend. The setting is account-wide on that device.
Will my friends know if I change my emoji style?
No. Your friends will not see any change because they view messages in their own emoji style, not yours. Changing your emoji style is invisible to everyone but you.
What happens to old messages when I change my emoji style?
All emojis in your past conversations will update to the new style you selected. If you sent a message with an emoji last week and then change your emoji style today, that old emoji will now appear in the new style when you look at it.
Can I go back to my original emoji style?
Yes. Return to Settings, find Emoji Style, and tap whichever style you want to use. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want with no restrictions.
Why do some emojis look slightly different even within the same style?
Snapchat sometimes updates how emojis render, and different versions of the app may display them slightly differently. This is normal and usually not noticeable unless you compare them side by side.