When I'm about to send a text message and click the button to use emojis, I keep ending up in the tab with memojis. I try to get to the tab with the most recent emojis I've used but I can't get there. How can I fix it? If I go into Facebook messenger and other apps, it works as it should.
I'm using iPhone 13 mini and iOS 26.1.
By Fredrik Andersson, 5 November, 2025
Forum
iOS and iPadOS
Comments
Same issue
16 pro max and iOS 26.1. Same issue.
This is what I do
When you have switched your keyboard to emojis, put your finger about in the middle of the keyboard, and slowly drag it toward the very bottom edge of your device. You should eventually land on one of the tabs. When I do it, I usually land on the Travel tab. Don't know why, that's just how it works for me. Once you land on that tab, slowly drag your finger to the left until you find recent or Smileys or whichever one you want. If it's not already selected, double tap to select. From here you can navigate through those emojis and choose the one you want.
Alternatively, pull up the emoji keyboard as mentioned above, then do a four finger single tap toward the lower half of your screen. This will land you on the very last emoji tab. Simply swipe left until you find the tab you want, double tap, and explore your emojis from there.
iOS 26.1 on an old iPhone SE 2020 (not my primary device).
HTH.
Seeing This As Well
I thought it was just me, and thank you for giving words to this issue and explaining it. I have been experiencing this since the 26.0 betas but reporting it has been difficult, as I didn't even know what was happening to even begin to describe the issue.
As a workaround, what works for me is to search for the emoji I want in the search field (for example, "smiling"), then select it from the list.
Also don't forget
You can use Siri and dictation to incorporate emojis in your messages. However, you have to enunciate precisely in order for it to work. It can be a hassle, but can also be super convenient when it works.
Brian
The issue with that is if you setup Siri to read it back before she send it, Sometimes she does not, In my case I have to ask her to read it several times.