To use a standard emoji on a Samsung phone, open a text field with Samsung Keyboard, then tap its emoji or smiley control. For stickers, GIFs, or a personalized character, open the keyboard toolbar or emoji panel and choose the option available on your device. Menu names and features vary by Galaxy model, software version, region, and app; the paths below are not universal.
Open standard emoji on Samsung Keyboard
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Open a messaging app or another app with a text field, then tap the field to bring up the on-screen keyboard.
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On Samsung Keyboard, tap the smiley or emoji control, or open the toolbar and choose its emoji option. Select an emoji to insert it into the text field, then send or continue editing your message.
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If you do not see the control, expand the keyboard toolbar to check its other options. Samsung says the toolbar can be turned off in keyboard settings; exact labels and placement vary. Its guidance applies to the default Samsung Keyboard, and screens and settings can vary by carrier, software version, and model: Samsung Keyboard settings and toolbar.
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Samsung’s toolbar can also provide stickers, GIFs, voice input, and settings. In some text-entry contexts, certain options may not appear, and some services may require an additional app. The keyboard and app determine what is available and how a graphical item is shared; a sticker or GIF is not the same as a standard text emoji.
Choose between emoji, stickers, GIFs, and kaomoji
| Option | What it is for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Standard emoji | A familiar character inserted in text. | Use the Samsung Keyboard emoji control or toolbar. Appearance can differ across platforms and apps. |
| Stickers | A graphical expression, including personalized Avatar or AR Emoji stickers. | Find them through the keyboard toolbar or emoji panel when supported. App and keyboard support can vary. |
| GIFs | A short animated image for a more expressive message. | Choose a GIF option in the toolbar if it is available in the active context. |
| Emoji pairs and kaomoji | Combined emoji designs or text-based expressive faces. | Samsung documents these as keyboard features, but the controls and availability depend on device and software configuration. |
Samsung’s One UI 5.1.1 feature page described “88 new emojis and 10 new animations” for emoji pairs in that release. Those are counts for the One UI 5.1.1 feature, not a count of the current emoji catalogue or a guarantee that every Galaxy device includes them: Samsung One UI feature information.
Use Galaxy Avatar or older AR Emoji
Galaxy Avatar is Samsung’s newer name for its personalized character feature. Samsung says AR Emoji features were officially renamed Galaxy Avatar beginning with the Galaxy S25 launch, for compatible Galaxy devices running Android 15 and One UI 7.0 or later. On older devices or software, look for AR Emoji instead; the new name and route do not apply universally.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Create or manage a Galaxy Avatar
On supported software, Samsung’s route is Settings → Advanced features → Galaxy Avatar. For older software, Samsung’s instructions may instead use Camera → More → AR Zone → AR Emoji Camera or AR Emoji Studio. The feature and precise menu path depend on model and software. Samsung’s Colombia guidance says AR Emoji is available on some models running Android 9.0 or later; that regional minimum does not establish availability for every market, model, or newer Avatar feature: Samsung Colombia AR Emoji guidance.
Send an Avatar sticker from the keyboard
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Open a messaging app and tap its text field.
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Open Samsung Keyboard’s emoji panel and select Galaxy Avatar or AR Emoji, whichever name your software uses.
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Choose a character sticker and send it using the available control.
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Samsung warns that other keyboards may not support this particular sharing route. Its US guide also describes using Avatar or AR Emoji features with the camera and customizing shortcuts in Samsung Messages, but those options depend on supported software and apps: Samsung Avatar and AR Emoji guide.
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On supported Galaxy configurations, Avatar or AR Emoji stickers represent a personalized character for messaging and social apps. Samsung also documents making a sticker from a photo in Gallery and AI sticker creation from a prompt on supported configurations. The steps and availability differ by device and software; Samsung explicitly notes that available features, settings, and menu options may vary: Samsung custom sticker guide.
Samsung’s UK Avatar guide, updated 19 March 2026, describes creation on One UI 7 and cautions that its images are illustrative and interface details vary by operating system version, device model, and region: Samsung UK Avatar guide.
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If emoji or sticker options are missing
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Confirm the active keyboard is Samsung Keyboard. Samsung’s described toolbar controls apply to its default keyboard; another keyboard may have different options or may not support Avatar sharing.
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Expand the toolbar or open the emoji panel to check for controls that are not immediately visible. If the toolbar has been disabled, review Samsung Keyboard settings.
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Try a different text field or messaging app. Some toolbar options depend on the input context, app, or any required companion app.
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Check the device’s software generation before following Avatar instructions: Android 15 with One UI 7.0 or later on compatible devices uses Galaxy Avatar, while older software may say AR Emoji.
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Expect differences across models, software versions, carriers, and regions. Samsung notes that feature availability and menu options can vary by device; its onboarding guidance also distinguishes toolbar options such as Emoji, Expression, GIF, Bitmoji, and AR Emoji, some of which require additional apps or are context-limited: keyboard settings and keyboard toolbar options.
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