Any app you can dictate text in using Siri allows you to verbally insert emojis starting with iOS 16.
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With iOS 16, you can insert and send an emoji using Siri by saying the name of the emoji you want, like “grinning face emoji.”
Emojis can be inserted into any iPhone app that supports dictating text with Siri.
Refer to a list of emojis like the one at Emojipedia to see the official names of common emojis.
Emojis have become an extension of everyday language, finding their way into routine conversation even when you’re not texting on your phone. It’s no surprise, then, that Apple would eventually allow you to send emojis with Siri.
Starting with iOS 16, anywhere you can dictate text using Siri, you can verbally insert emojis. That includes in Messages, email, Notes, and elsewhere.
How to insert and send emojis with Siri on an iPhone
Inserting an emoji into text using Siri is very simple and straightforward. Just do this:
1. Start the app into which you want to dictate text and emojis.
2. Tap the Microphone button at the bottom of the screen.
3. Dictate text as you normally would. When you’re ready to insert the emoji, say the name of the emoji, such as “smiley face emoji.” Continue dictating as desired.
4. Tap the Microphone button again to stop dictating, and proceed to send your text, if applicable.
Just say the name of the emoji while dictating to insert that image into your text.
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How to find the names of emojis
Sending emojis with Siri is simple in principle, but it does present a small quandary: What is the actual name of the emoji you want to insert? After all, what’s the difference between the smiley face with small eyes and the one with big eyes? Here’s a list of some of the most common emoji symbol commands:
Grinning face emojiGrinning face with big eyes emojiRolling on the floor laughing emojiFace with tears of joy emojiSmiling face with heart eyes emojiSay “Rolling on the floor laughing emoji” and Siri will insert the common emoji into your text.
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Blowing a kiss emojiTongue emojiFace with horns emojiHeart emoji [you can also specify a color, such as “blue heart emoji”]Waving hand emojiSome emojis are customizable, such as the heart emoji for which you can specify color.
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As you might expect, Siri may recognize several different commands for the same emoji, so you don’t always need to get it exactly “right.” And for additional assistance, you can check out the fairly comprehensive list of Apple emojis at Emojipedia. Hover over the emoji you want to see the alt text full name description of the emoji. Not all of these will work with Siri exactly as they’re written there, but it’s the best list we were able to find to use as a guide.