Have you seen the hundreds of emoji apps in Itunes recently? We had a client recently ask us to create an app using something like the emoji keyboard in iOS.
It took a little bit of research, but here’s the deal…Apple won’t let you create custom keyboards!! It is well known Apple tightly guards their human interfaces especially when trying to create a custom keyboard.
Now here’s where I need to share the truth about the emoji apps in the iTunes store. Given the tidbit i just mentioned above, there are apps out there charging $0.99 and above. And here’s the kicker. If you are using iOS 5 (updated last year) the emoji keyboard is already included in your keyboard options!! Now if you have iOS4.3 and below, the paid app versions will enable the emoji keyboard on your device. The emoji keyboard was only mainly available in the Japan markets in iOS4.3.
If you have iOS5, let me do you the favor and save you some money! (Since I got burned for 99 cents!!) If you have iOS5 this is how to turn it on:
- Tap Settings > General > Keyboard
- Tap International Keyboards
- Tap Add New Keyboard
- Locate and tap Emoji
