Mac Emoji Keyboard: Shortcuts & Character Viewer
On current macOS versions, press Fn or Globe + E while typing to open emoji suggestions or the Character Viewer. Control + Command + Space remains a widely supported alternative, and Edit > Emoji & Symbols provides a menu path.
Quick answer: open the emoji keyboard on Mac
- Click where you want to insert an emoji.
- Press Fn or Globe + E. If you typed a common word first, macOS may offer a matching emoji; otherwise it opens the Character Viewer.
- Search by an emoji name or browse the categories.
- Click a character to insert it. If the viewer is expanded, double-clicking may be required.
Apple's current Use emoji and symbols on Mac guide documents Fn or Globe + E and the Character Viewer workflow.
Three reliable ways to open Mac emoji and symbols
1. Fn or Globe + E
This is Apple's current shortcut for emoji suggestions and the Character Viewer. The key may say fn, show a globe, or combine both labels depending on the keyboard. Type a word such as heart, then press the shortcut to see a suggested replacement. If macOS has no direct suggestion, it opens the viewer so you can search.
2. Control + Command + Space
The long-standing shortcut Control + Command + Space opens the Character Viewer in supported apps. Apple still documents it in its Pages special-character instructions. If one shortcut is captured by an app or customized on your Mac, try the other.
3. Edit > Emoji & Symbols
Choose Edit > Emoji & Symbols from the active app's menu bar. This is useful when you do not remember a shortcut and also confirms the command an app exposes. Some apps place their own emoji button next to the text field instead.
Search, variations, favorites, and symbols
The Character Viewer is more than an emoji keyboard. Search for a plain-language name or a Unicode character name, browse categories, and expand the window for a larger symbol library. Click and hold an emoji to see supported variations such as skin tones. In the expanded viewer, select a character and add it to Favorites for quicker access later.
The expanded view can also expose writing systems, arrows, mathematical symbols, braille patterns, punctuation, and other Unicode characters. Categories depend on your macOS version and the list enabled in the viewer.
Make the Fn or Globe key open emoji by itself
Apple lets you choose what happens when you press the Fn or Globe key. Open Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard, find the setting for pressing the Fn or Globe key, and choose Show Emoji & Symbols. After that, one press can open the viewer without E. The wording may vary slightly by keyboard and macOS release.
If the Mac emoji keyboard is not working
- Click an editable field first. The viewer can open, but an emoji cannot be inserted if no text destination is active.
- Try the menu path. Use Edit > Emoji & Symbols to check whether the active app provides the command.
- Try both shortcuts. Test Fn or Globe + E and Control + Command + Space.
- Check Keyboard settings. The Fn or Globe key may be configured for input sources, dictation, or another action.
- Check app and system support. A newer emoji can appear as a box in an older app or on an older operating system even when it copies correctly.
Standard emoji versus Genmoji
Standard Unicode emoji are text characters or defined sequences that multiple platforms can recognize. Genmoji are custom creations available only on supported Apple Intelligence configurations and in supported apps. They may be shared as richer content or stickers rather than behaving exactly like a standard Unicode character. If broad compatibility matters, use a standard emoji from the Character Viewer or copy one from PasteMoji's emoji collection.
Accessibility tips for emoji on Mac
- Keep important words next to an emoji instead of using the image as the only instruction or label.
- VoiceOver may announce the emoji's accessible name, which can be different from the slang meaning you intended.
- Avoid long runs of repeated emoji because each item may be announced separately.
- Preview skin-tone, family, flag, and other multi-character sequences in the destination app before publishing.
Sources and currency
This guide was checked against Apple Support on July 26, 2026: Use emoji and symbols on Mac, Pages accents and special characters, and macOS keyboard shortcuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current emoji keyboard shortcut on Mac?
Apple's current macOS guide uses Fn or Globe + E. Control + Command + Space is another documented way to open the Character Viewer in supported apps.
How do I search for an emoji on Mac?
Open the Character Viewer, then enter a word or phrase in its search field. You can also type a common word first and press Fn or Globe + E for a suggested emoji replacement.
Can the Fn or Globe key open emoji without pressing E?
Yes. In System Settings > Keyboard, configure the action for pressing the Fn or Globe key and choose Show Emoji & Symbols.
Are Genmoji the same as standard emoji?
No. Standard emoji are interoperable Unicode characters or sequences. Genmoji are custom Apple Intelligence creations whose availability and sharing behavior depend on the device and app.
Quick reference
| Route | What it does | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Fn or Globe + E | Shows an emoji suggestion or Character Viewer | Behavior depends on keyboard and system settings |
| Control + Command + Space | Opens Character Viewer in supported apps | An app can capture or customize shortcuts |
| Edit > Emoji & Symbols | Uses the active app’s menu command | Menu wording and availability can vary |
“A shortcut is useful only when the reader also knows where it can vary.”
PasteMoji editorial principle
How this article was made
We checked shortcut and feature claims against the platform owner’s current support documentation, separated standard Unicode text from platform-only media, and retained version or configuration caveats.
- Identify the exact shortcut or menu path readers need.
- Compare it with the platform owner’s current support documentation.
- Separate standard Unicode characters from GIFs, stickers, or custom generated media.
- Document version, app, language, region, and accessibility differences that can change the result.
Limitations
- Interface labels and available panels can differ by operating-system build, hardware, language, region, account, and destination app.
- The editorial review does not test every device configuration; the linked vendor documentation is the authority for current product behavior.
Review disclosure: the named reviewer is the same internal editorial organization as the author, not an independent subject-matter expert.
Sources and citations
[1] Use emoji and symbols on Mac
Apple Support
Supports: The current Fn or Globe + E and Character Viewer workflow.
[2] Enter characters with accent marks and other special characters
Apple Support
Supports: The Control + Command + Space Character Viewer shortcut in Pages.
Apple Support
Supports: Apple's current keyboard-shortcut reference and customization caveat.
Corrections
No correction note accompanies this edition. If we materially correct a factual error, we add a dated note and follow our corrections policy.