How to create and install your own emoticon on Samsung Android: a complete guide

Have you ever wanted to express emotions with a unique emoticon that none of your friends have? On smartphones Samsung with an operating system Android this is possible - and this does not require special skills of a designer or programmer. Modern brand devices (from Galaxy S22 to Galaxy A54) support several ways to create custom emoji: from manual drawing to using third-party applications.

In this article we will analyze all the available methods - from the simplest (using built-in tools Samsung Keyboard) to advanced (using graphic editors and APK files). You will learn how not only to draw an emoticon, but also to export it correctly so that it is displayed in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and social networks. We'll also reveal the secrets of image optimization so that your emoji doesn't turn into a blur when sent.

Important: customization options depend on the version One UI and device model. For example, on Galaxy S24 Ultra s One UI 6.1 extended tools for creating animated emoticons are available, while on budget models like Galaxy M14 the functionality may be limited. If your smartphone does not support built-in options, don’t worry, we will describe alternative methods in detail.

1. Preparation: what you will need to create an emoticon

Before you start drawing, make sure you have everything you need. The minimum set depends on the chosen method:

• 📱 Samsung smartphone based on Android 10 and higher (preferably with One UI 3.1+). On older versions, some functions may be missing.
• 🎨 Graphics editor: built-in Samsung Notes with a drawing tool, Adobe Photoshop Express or PicsArt for advanced processing.
• 🖌️ Stylus (optional): if you are the owner Galaxy Note or Galaxy S Ultra with support S Pen, it will be more convenient to draw.
• 📁 File manager: for working with APK files (if you plan to install custom keyboards).

Also prepare a sketch of your future emoticon. This could be:

• 😊 A classic yellow circle with an emotion (as in the standard set Unicode).
• 👤 A stylized face (for example, your self-portrait in the form of an emoji).
• 🎮 A thematic symbol (heart, animal, object - whatever you want!).

⚠️ Attention: If you plan to use an emoticon in instant messengers, its size should be no larger than 128×128 pixels. Otherwise, the image will be automatically compressed, which will lead to loss of quality.

For verification compatibility of your device, go to Settings → Phone information → One UI version. If the version is lower 3.1, some of the methods in this article may not work. In this case, we recommend updating the firmware or using third-party applications.

2. Method 1: creating an emoticon via Samsung Keyboard (built-in method)

The easiest way is to use the built-in keyboard Samsung Keyboardwhich on devices with One UI 4.0+ supports the function "AR Emoji". 3D avatars, but we adapt it for static emoticons. Here's how to do it:

1. Open any text application (for example, Messages or Notes).
2. On the keyboard tap on the icon AR Emoji (stylized face next to the emoji).
3. Select Create my emoji → Get Started.
4. Follow the instructions for scanning your face (if you want a personalized emoticon) or skip this step.
5. In the editor, select Styles → Emoji and customize the appearance: head shape, eyes, mouth, skin color.
6. Save the result and export it as an image via Share → Save as image.

The finished emoticon will be saved in the gallery. Now it can be used in messengers, but there is a caveat: it will be in PNG format with a transparent background, and not in the standard emoji style. To fix this, crop the image to a square 128×128 px in any graphic. editor.

⚠️ Attention: Emojis created through AR Emojiwill not be displayed as standard emoji in dialogues. They will be inserted as pictures. To fully replace system emoticons, you will need to install a custom keyboard (see Method 4).

Scan face (optional)

Adjust features in the AR Emoji editor

Export as PNG

Crop to 128×128 px

Save to a separate folder-->

3. Method 2: drawing an emoticon manually (from scratch)

If you want to draw an emoticon completely yourself, without templates, use the application Samsung Notes or any other graphic editor. This method is suitable for creating unique symbols that are not available in. standard sets.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Open Samsung Notes and create a new note.
2. Tap on the pencil icon to activate the drawing tool.
3. Select black background (for transparency) or yellow (for classic emoji style).
4. Draw an outline of the emoticon:
   • 🟡 Circle with a diameter of ~100 px (use the tool Shapes for the perfect shape).
   • 👁️ Eyes: two ovals or dots.
   • 😮 Mouth: an arc, straight line or other symbol of emotion.

Export the drawing in format PNG with a transparent background.

For convenience, use grid (turned on in the drawing settings) and zooming (with two fingers) to draw small details. yes S Pen, activate the mode Air Command → Screen Write for more precise control.

Tool	Advantages	Disadvantages
Samsung Notes	Built into the system, supports layers, transparency	Limited brushes, no animation
Adobe Photoshop Express	Advanced filters, color correction	Requires installation, paid features
PicsArt	Ready-made stickers, effects, collages	Advertising, watermarks in the free version

Critical point: in order for the emoticon to be displayed correctly in messengers, its background must be transparent (PNG format). If the background remains white or colored, the symbol will look like a sticker, and not as a part. text.

4. Method 3: converting a photo into an emoticon

Do you want to create an emoji based on your face or a photo of a pet? Applications with the function Emoji stylization, such as Bitmoji or ZMOJI, are suitable for this. cartoon style, which can then be modified.

Instructions for Bitmoji:

1. Install the application from Galaxy Store or Google Play.
2. Register and upload your photo (or take selfie directly in the application).
3. Customize facial features, hairstyle, clothes in the editor.
4. Export the finished avatar as a sticker or PNG.
5. Crop the image to a square 128×128 px in any editor.

The main advantage of this method is realism: Your emoji will look like you, but in a cartoon style. The downside is limited customization: you won’t be able to fully control the design, as with manual drawing.

⚠️ Attention: Applications like Bitmoji add watermarks to free stickers. To remove them, save the image using the function Share → Save as image, and then trim off the unnecessary elements in the editor.

How to remove the background of an emoticon in Photoshop Express

Open the image → Select the "Remove Background" tool (Magic Eraser) → Save as PNG with transparency.

5. Method 4: installing a custom keyboard with your own emoticons

If you want your emoticons to be displayed in the input line along with the standard ones, you will need to install an alternative keyboard that supports custom emoji. One of the best options is Gboard (keyboard from Google) with extension Bitmoji or Textra Keyboard.

Step-by-step setup for Gboard:

1. Install Gboard from Google Play i activate it in the settings (Settings → Controls → Language and input → Virtual keyboard).
2. Open Gboard, go to Settings → Emoticons → Bitmoji and connect your account.
3. Upload your emoticons to Bitmoji (via the web version or mobile application).
4. Now when you enter text, your emoji will be available in the emoticons section Gboard.

To completely replace system emoticons, you will need root access and installation of custom firmware (for example, LineageOS with support Emoji Changer). However, this is a risky process that can lead to loss of warranty.

Keyboard	Support for custom emoji	Complexity of setup
Gboard + Bitmoji	Yes (via stickers)	Low
Textra Keyboard	Yes (PNG download)	Medium
Samsung Keyboard	Limited (AR Emoji only)	Low
SwiftKey	No	—

💡

To fully replace system emoticons on Android, root access is required. Without it, custom emoji will be inserted as pictures, not as text symbols.

6. Optimizing an emoticon for messengers

Even if you have created the perfect emoticon, it may look blurry or disproportionate when sent. in WhatsApp, Telegram or VK. To avoid this, follow the optimization rules:

• 📏 Size: 128×128 pixels (maximum for most messengers).
• 🎨 Format: PNG with a transparent background (for overlaying on any chat color).
• 🔍 Quality: no less 72 dpibut no more 300 dpi (excessive resolution will increase the weight of the file).
• 🖼️ Style: Avoid too small details - they will be illegible on small screens.

Before sending, check how the emoticon looks in different messengers:

• WhatsApp: compresses images up to 512×512 px, but emoji are displayed in a smaller form.
• Telegram: supports animated stickers (format WEBP), but static emoji are better uploaded as PNG.
• VK: limits the size of stickers to 256×256 px.

To test, send the emoticon to yourself in different chats and evaluate the quality. If it looks blurry, reduce the file size in the editor (for example, Photoshop Express use the option Export for web).

7. Creating animated emoticons (GIF/WEBP)

Static emoji are a classic, but why not go further and do animated emoticonformats suitable for this? data-i="233">or GIF or WEBP (the latter supports transparency and takes up less space).

Instructions for creating a GIF emoticon:

1. Draw several frames of the emotion in Samsung Notes or another editor (for example, closed/open eyes, changing the mouth).
2. Export each frame as a separate PNG file.
3. Use the application GIF Maker or ImagPlayto combine the frames into animation.
4. Adjust the playback speed (optimally: 0.5–1 second per frame).
5. Save the result in the format GIF or WEBP.

Animated emoticons are not supported by all messengers. Here are the current restrictions:

• WhatsApp: GIF is inserted as a media file, not as an emoji.
• Telegram: full support for animated stickers (WEBP).
• VK: GIF is sent as a separate message.

For Telegram you can download your set of stickers via @Stickers (official bot). Send your WEBP file to the bot, and it will generate a pack of stickers that you can use in chats.

8. Backup and transfer emoticons to another device

If you have created a collection of unique emoticons, you should take care of their safety. Here's how to make a backup copy and transfer it to another smartphone:

• 📁 Local saving: copy the folder with emoticons (for example, DCIM/Emojito a memory card or to the cloud (Samsung Cloud, Google Drive).
• ☁️ Cloud backup: if you use Bitmoji or Gboard, your emoji are automatically synchronized with your Google account.
• 🔄 Transfer to another phone: install the same keyboard (for example, Gboard) on the new device and log in to your account - emoticons will be loaded automatically.

For manual transfer:

1. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi.
2. On the old phone, open Galaxy Store → Settings → Send files.
3. Select a folder with emoticons and send them to the new phone.
4. On the new device, save the files in the same directory (for example, Pictures/Emoji).

⚠️ Attention: When transferring emoticons via instant messengers (for example, by sending yourself In Telegram) image compression is possible. To avoid loss of quality, use Samsung Quick Share or cable USB-C to directly transfer files.

If you are using a custom keyboard (for example, Textra), export its settings along with emoticons via Settings → Backup. This will save not only the images, but also the link to certain words (if you set up quick replacements).

FAQ: answers to common questions questions

Is it possible to create an emoticon without third-party applications?

Yes, on devices with One UI 4.0+ this can be done via AR Emoji in Samsung Keyboard or manually in Samsung Notes. However, without editors, you will not be able to optimize the image for instant messengers (cropping, transparent background, etc.).

Why is my emoticon displayed as a picture and not as an emoji?

This happens because you insert it as a graphic file, and not as a text symbol UnicodeTo make an emoticon. was displayed as standard, you will need to:

1. Install a custom keyboard (for example, Textra).
2. Or get root access and replace system emoji (risky!).

In most cases It's easier to send emoticons as stickers.

Is it possible to make an animated emoticon for WhatsApp?

There is no native support for animated emoji in the input line. However, you can: WhatsApp there is no native support for animated emoji in the input line. However you can:

• Send a GIF as a separate one. message.
• Use Telegramwhere animated stickers are supported in the format WEBP.

How to delete created emoticons?

If you saved emoticons as images:

• Delete them from the gallery (Photos → Albums → Folder with emoticons).
• Clear the keyboard cache (Settings → Applications → Samsung Keyboard → Memory → Clear cache).

If emoticons were added via Bitmoji or Gboard, delete them in the settings of the corresponding application.

Will other users support my emoticons?

No, custom emoticons sent as images will be supported. are visible to the recipient exactly as pictures. If you want your emoji to be displayed by other users as standard, you will need to:

1. Create a pack of stickers for Telegram (via @Stickers).
2. Or convince the recipient to install the same custom keyboard with your emoji (unlikely) 😉).