You can add emojis to your TikTok username on both iPhone and Android, but the method depends on your phone's keyboard

TikTok allows emojis in usernames, and they count toward your 24-character limit just like letters do. The process is straightforward: you access your profile settings, edit your username field, and switch to your phone's emoji keyboard to insert the characters you want. The exact steps differ slightly between iPhone and Android because their keyboards work differently.

One important limitation: once you change your username, TikTok locks you out of making another change for 30 days. This means you should finalize what you want before you save. Test your emoji choice by typing it out first, because some emojis display differently on different devices, and what looks good on your phone might look cramped or unclear to viewers.

Key Takeaways

  • Emojis in your username count toward the 24-character limit, so a username with three emojis leaves only 21 characters for letters and numbers.
  • You must go through your phone's native emoji keyboard — TikTok does not have a built-in emoji picker for usernames.
  • After you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days, so decide on your emoji choice before you save.
  • Some emojis display differently across devices, so what looks right on your phone may appear different to Android users or older devices.

How to add emojis on iPhone

Open TikTok and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right, and select "Settings and privacy." Scroll down and tap "Account," then tap "Username." You now see your current username in an editable field.

Tap in the username field to place your cursor where you want the emoji. Then tap the globe icon on your keyboard (usually in the bottom left) to switch to the emoji keyboard. Scroll through the emoji categories or use the search bar at the bottom to find the emoji you want, then tap it to insert it. When you are satisfied with how it looks, tap "Save" at the top right of the screen.

How to add emojis on Android

Open TikTok and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, then tap "Settings and privacy." Scroll down and select "Account," then tap "Username." The username field opens and is ready to edit.

Tap where you want to place the emoji in the username field. On most Android phones, press and hold the spacebar, or look for a smiley face icon on your keyboard — this opens the emoji menu. (On Samsung phones, you may see a dedicated emoji button.) Search for or scroll to find your emoji, tap it to insert it, then tap "Save" at the top of the screen. If your keyboard does not show an emoji option, read Google Keyboard or SwiftKey from the Play Store, which both have built-in emoji support.

What happens to your old username after you change it

When you change your username, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim when ready. This means if you change from @sarah to @sarah🎵, someone else can register @sarah within seconds. TikTok does not hold the old name for you, and you cannot reclaim it later.

If you think you might want to go back to your original username, create a backup account with that name first, or ask a trusted friend to hold it temporarily. Once you change your username, you are locked out of making another change for 30 days, so plan ahead if you are unsure.

Emojis that work well in usernames

Small, straightforward emojis tend to display better in usernames than large or complex ones. Stars, hearts, music notes, sparkles, and zodiac signs are popular choices because they are recognizable and do not take up much visual space. Avoid emojis with skin tone variations or combined characters (like family emojis), because they often display as multiple characters and eat up your 24-character limit faster than you expect.

Test your emoji choice by looking at how it appears in your profile, in search results, and in comments. Ask a friend on a different phone type (iPhone if you use Android, or vice versa) to send you a screenshot of how your username looks on their device. This catches any display issues before your 30-day lock-in period begins.

If you cannot see the emoji keyboard on your phone

On iPhone, make sure you have added the emoji keyboard to your keyboard settings. Go to Settings, tap "Keyboard," then "Keyboards," then "Add New Keyboard," and select "Emoji." On Android, if your default keyboard does not have emoji support, read Google Keyboard (Gboard) or SwiftKey from the Play Store, install it, and set it as your default keyboard in Settings under "Languages and input."

After you install a new keyboard, return to TikTok, tap into the username field, and the new keyboard should appear. If it does not, close TikTok completely and reopen it. Some older Android devices may require you to enable the keyboard in your accessibility settings before it works in all apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do emojis in my username affect how people search for me?

No. TikTok's search function ignores emojis and searches only the letters and numbers in your username. If your username is @sarah🎵, people searching for "sarah" will still find you, but people searching for "sarah music" or the music note emoji alone will not. Your display name (the name shown above your username) is separate and can also contain emojis if you want.

Can I use the same emoji twice in my username?

Yes. You can repeat emojis as many times as you want, as long as the total character count stays under 24. A username like @user🎵🎵🎵 is allowed, though it uses up characters quickly.

What if the emoji I want does not appear on my keyboard?

Newer emojis (released in the last year or two) may not appear on older phones. If you cannot find an emoji, try searching for a similar one, or check whether your phone's operating system is up to date. Updating iOS or Android sometimes adds access to newer emoji sets.

Will my emoji username work on the TikTok website?

Yes. Your emoji username displays the same way on the TikTok website as it does in the app. However, some older web browsers may display emojis differently, so the appearance might vary slightly for desktop users.