Emojis in WhatsApp have long become an integral part of communication, but not all users like them. Some people find them distracting, others have problems sending messages due to the automatic conversion of text into emoticons, and some simply prefer a minimalistic interface without unnecessary elements. If you are looking for a way remove emoji in WhatsApp on Android, then you are faced with one difficulty: the messenger does not provide a built-in option to completely disable them.

In this article we will analyze all possible methods - from standard settings to workarounds using third-party tools. It is important to understand that completely removing emoji from the system Android is impossible without root access, but there are ways hide them in chatsto disable auto-replacement of text with emoticons and even replace the standard set with empty characters. We tested each method on current versions WhatsApp (including 2.24.x) and indicate the limitations that you may encounter.

If your goal is simply to reduce visual noise in chats, it is enough to hide the emoji panel or disable their preview. Those who want to radically change the behavior of the messenger will need additional tools like ADB or modified versions of the application. We warn you in advance: some methods may violate the terms of use WhatsApp, so use them at your own peril and risk.

📊 Why do you want to remove emoji in WhatsApp?
They interfere with typing
I don’t like their appearance
Automatically replace text with emoticons
I want a minimalistic interface
Another reason

1. How to hide the Emoji panel in WhatsApp (without root)

The easiest way to reduce the influence of Emoji is hide their panel in the chat interface. This will not remove emoticons from messages, but will make them less noticeable and prevent accidental use.

To do this:

  1. Open any chat in WhatsApp.
  2. Tap the message input field to make the keyboard appear.
  3. Click on emoticon icon (😊) to the right of the input field - the emoji panel will collapse.
  4. If the panel appears automatically when you open a chat, check your keyboard settings (more on this below).

K Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not save the panel state between sessions, so after restarting the application or changing the chat, it may appear again. To secure the result, you will have to use additional keyboard settings.

  • 🔧 For Gboard keyboard: go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Gboard → Settings → Text Input and disable the option "Show Emoji Panel".
  • 📱 For Samsung Keyboard: Open Keyboard Settings → Emoji and stickers and deactivate "Suggest emoticons".
  • ⚙️ For other keyboards: look for similar options in the "Emoji" or "AutoCorrect" section.

This method does not remove emoji from messages, but significantly reduces their visibility. If you need it completely disable auto-replacement of text with emoticonsread the next section.

💡

In some versions of WhatsApp, the emoji panel can be hidden by long pressing the emoticon icon in the input field. Try holding it for 2-3 seconds - a context menu with the "Hide" option will appear.

2. Disabling text to emoji auto-replacement

One ​​of the most annoying features WhatsApp is the automatic conversion of text to emoji. For example, when you enter ":)" or "<3" the messenger replaces them with 😊 and ❤️. You can disable this function through the keyboard settings, but not directly in WhatsApp.

Instructions for popular keyboards:

  • 📝 Gboard (Google):
    1. Open Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Gboard.
    2. Go in Text input → AutoCorrect.
    3. Disable the option "Automatically replace text with emoji".
  • 🌐 Samsung Keyboard:
    1. Go to Keyboard settings → Emoticons and stickers.
    2. Deactivate "Auto-replace text with emoticons".
  • ⌨️ SwiftKey:
    1. Open the keyboard settings and select Text corrections.
    2. Disable "Emoji AutoCorrect".

    If you use another keyboard, look for similar options in the sections related to autocorrect or text prediction. Please note: these settings apply globally to all applications, not just for WhatsApp.

    Important: even after turning off autocorrect, emoji will still appear in messages if the other person sent them. To hide them completely, more drastic methods will be required.

    Open a chat in WhatsApp|Type ":)" or "<3" without a space|Make sure the text is not converted to emoji|Repeat for other popular combinations (for example, ":D", ":/")|Check your keyboard settings for updates-->

    3. Using modified versions of WhatsApp (GBWhatsApp, FMWhatsApp)

    If standard methods do not suit you, you can install modified version of WhatsApp, for example, GBWhatsApp or FMWhatsApp. These builds offer advanced interface settings, including the ability to disable emoji.

    Advantages of modified versions:

    • 🔄 Completely disabling the Emoji panel in chats.
    • 🚫 Blocking autocorrect text to emoticons.
    • 🎨 Replacing the standard set of emoji with empty symbols or custom ones.
    • 🔒 Additional privacy options (hiding online status, read notifications).

      • However, there are also serious disadvantages:

      ⚠️ Attention: Use of modified versions WhatsApp violates the company's terms of service. This may result in temporary or permanent account blocking. In addition, such assemblies do not undergo verification in Google Play Marketwhich increases the risk of installing malware.

      If you are willing to take the risk, follow the instructions:

      1. Download the APK file GBWhatsApp or FMWhatsApp from the official website of the developer (do not use third-party sources!).
      2. Before installation, make a backup copy of the chats in the original WhatsApp (Settings → Chat → Backup).
      3. Install the APK file, allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
      4. When you first start, confirm your phone number and restore the backup.
      5. Go to the settings of the modified version (usually section "Universal" → "Emoji") and disable emoji.

      In GBWhatsApp you can also replace standard emoji with alternative sets (for example, iOS, Twitter or Facebook), if you do not like their appearance, but do not want to delete completely.

      What happens if WhatsApp blocks your account for using a modified version?

      When blocked, you will lose access to chats and contacts. You can only restore your account through the official application, but messages sent/received in the modified version may be lost. WhatsApp usually sends a warning before blocking, so you will have time to return to the original one. application.

      4. Removing emoji via ADB (for advanced users)

      For those who are not afraid to work with developer tools, there is a way delete system emoji via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). command line.

      Warning:

      ⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use ADB can lead to system failures. We recommend that you create a backup copy of your data before starting. The method does not work on all devices and can be canceled after. updates Android.

      Instructions:

      1. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone:
        1. Go to Settings → About phone → Build number and tap on it 7 times to activate developer mode.
        2. Go back to Settings → System → For developers and enable "USB debugging".
      2. Connect your smartphone to the computer via a USB cable and confirm permission for debugging.
      3. Download and install ADB Tools to your computer (for example, Platform Tools from Google).
      4. Open a command line (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and enter: 
        adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.inputmethod.latin

        This command disables the standard keyboard Android, but does not remove emoji completely. For deeper intervention, root access will be required.

      5. To replace emoji with empty characters, use the command: 
        adb shell settings put secure emoji_replacement_style 0

        (Does not work on all devices.)

    This method does not guarantee 100% results, since WhatsApp may use its own fonts to display emoji. If you want to completely remove them, consider getting root access and editing system files (see the next section).

    Method Required root access? Risk of account blocking Efficiency
    Hide the emoji panel ❌ No ❌ No ⭐⭐ (reduces visibility)
    Disable autocorrect ❌ No ❌ No ⭐⭐⭐ (stops conversion text)
    Modified versions (GBWhatsApp) ❌ No ⚠️ Yes ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (complete shutdown)
    ADB commands ❌ No (but developer rights are required) ❌ No ⭐⭐ (partial effect)
    Editing system fonts (root). data-i="193">If you are ready to take drastic measures, ✅ Yes ❌ No ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (complete removal)

    5. Complete removal of emoji using root access

    If you are ready to take drastic measures, obtaining root access allows you to delete emoji at the system level. This method is only suitable for experienced users, as it requires editing system files.

    What you will need:

    • 📱 A smartphone with an unlocked bootloader and root access (for example, via Magisk).
    • 💻 A app for working with the file system (Root Explorer, Solid Explorer with root access).
    • 🔧 System backup (required!).

    Instructions:

    1. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer).
    2. Go to the path /system/fonts/ and find files associated with emoji:
      • NotoColorEmoji.ttf
      • EmojiCompat.ttf
      • AndroidEmoji.ttf (on some devices)
  • Rename these files by adding the extension .bak (for example, NotoColorEmoji.ttf.bak).
  • Restart the device.
  • Check WhatsApp: emoji should appear as empty squares or disappear altogether.

    • Warning:

    ⚠️ Attention: Deleting or renaming system fonts may cause problems with other applications that use emojis (for example, Instagram, TelegramYou can restore the original files by deleting the extension .bak or restoring a backup copy.

    An alternative option is to replace system emoji with empty characters using special patches for MagiskFor example, the module "Emoji Switcher" allows you to select a set of emoji, including empty ones.

    💡

    Receiving root access will void the warranty on the device and increases the security risk. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions and are prepared for possible consequences.

    6. Alternative messengers without emoji

    If fighting emoji in WhatsApp seems too difficult, consider switching to alternative messengers where emoticons do not play such a big role. Here are a few options:

    • 💬 Telegram:

      Allows you to disable auto-replacement of text on emoji in the keyboard settings. There is also an option to hide the emoticon panel in chats. Supports a bot @SmileBanBotthat removes emoji from messages in groups.

    • 🔒 Signal:

      Minimalistic a messenger with an emphasis on privacy. Emoji are present, but their role is less noticeable, and autocorrect is disabled through the keyboard settings.

    • 📧 Session:

      Decentralized messenger without connection to a phone number. The interface is practically devoid of emoji, and autocorrect is absent by default.

    • 💻 Matrix/Element:

      An open messenger with self-hosting support. customize the interface, including removing emoji through CSS styles.

    Before switching to another messenger, keep in mind that your contacts will also need to install it. Telegram and Signal are the most popular among the alternatives, so migration will be easier.

    If you still want to stay in WhatsApp, but minimize the use of emoji, combine the methods from the previous sections: hide the emoji panel, disable autocorrect and use keyboards without emoji support (for example, Hacker's Keyboard).

    7. Common problems and their solutions

    When trying to remove emoji in WhatsApp users encounter typical difficulties. Here are the most common of them and ways to solve them:

    • 🔄 Emoji return after WhatsApp update:

      Modified versions (GBWhatsApp) and ADB-settings may be reset after updating. Solution: disable automatic application updates in Google Play or use an update blocker (for example, AppBlock).

    • ⚠️ ADB commands do not work:

      Make sure that USB debugging is enabled, drivers are installed, and the device is recognized in adb devices. On some firmware (for example, MIUI), additional permission is required for ADB.

    • 🔒 WhatsApp has blocked the account for GBWhatsApp:

      Uninstall the modified version, install the original WhatsApp and confirm the phone number again. temporary, wait 24-48 hours. To unblock, you may need to contact support.

    • 📱 After deleting system fonts, emoji disappeared in other applications:

      This is expected behavior. To return emoji only in the necessary applications, restore the original font files and use modules Magisk for selective ones. disable.

    If none of the methods worked, check:

    1. Version WhatsApp (in some assemblies the interface may differ).
    2. Keyboard settings (sometimes emoji are controlled separately for each input language).
    3. Availability of updates Android (additional restrictions may appear in new versions).
    Is it possible to remove emoji in WhatsApp without root and modified versions?

    Yes, but only partially. you can:

    • Hide the emoji panel in the chat (by clicking on the emoticon icon).
    • Disable auto-replacement of text on emoji in the keyboard settings.
    • Use keyboards without emoji support (for example, Hacker's Keyboard).

    Delete completely emoji from messages without root is impossible.

    Why do emoji still appear after autocorrect is disabled?

    This can happen for two reasons:

    1. The keyboard settings were reset after the update. Check them again.
    2. The interlocutor sends emoji manually - to In this case, you cannot delete them since they are part of the message.
    Is it safe to use GBWhatsApp to delete emoji?

    No, it is not safe:

    • Account blocking WhatsApp (temporary or permanent).
    • Data leakage (modified versions do not pass security checks Google Play).
    • Lack of security updates, which makes the device vulnerable to attacks.

    If privacy is important, avoid such builds.

    How to get emoji back if I deleted system ones fonts?

    If you have renamed or deleted font files via root, restore them:

    1. Find a backup (if you did) and return the original files to /system/fonts/.
    2. If there is no backup, download the stock firmware for your smartphone model and extract the font files from there.
    3. Reboot your device.

    If you are not sure of your actions, it is easier to reset to factory settings (but this will delete all data!).

    Is there a legal way to completely remove emoji in WhatsApp?

    No, at the moment WhatsApp does not provide an official option to completely remove emoji. All methods described in the article are workarounds with limitations. The only legal way is to hide the emoji panel and disable autocorrect as described in the first two sections.