Text to Emoji Shortcuts

Text to Emoji Shortcuts

1. Text to Emoji

Goal

Convert regular text messages into a fun, emoji-filled style.

How to Build It in Shortcuts

  • Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Tap the + icon (top-right) to create a new shortcut.
  • Tap Add Action and search for “Ask for Input” (under “Scripting”).
  • Change Prompt to “Enter text to translate into emojis.”
  • Tap the + below that action, then search for “Replace Text”.
  • Replace: (choose words or short phrases you’d like to turn into emojis) With: (insert the corresponding emoji) Case: “Insensitive” to ignore capitalization
  • Add as many Replace Text actions as you like. For example:
    • Replace “hello” with “\u{1F44B}” (waving hand)
    • Replace “love” with “\u{2764}\u{FE0F}” (red heart)
    • Replace “cake” with “\u{1F382}” (birthday cake)
    • …and so on.
  • Finally, add an action to Show Result or Copy to Clipboard or Share so you can use the “emoji-fied” text.

How to Use It

  • Run the shortcut, type your sentence, and watch it transform into emojis.
  • Send or share the result in Messages, social media, etc.

2. Emoji Dictionary

Goal

Look up a specific word or phrase and see if there’s a corresponding emoji—like a mini dictionary.

How to Build It in Shortcuts

  • Open Shortcuts, tap + to create a new shortcut.
  • Tap Add Action and search for “Ask for Input.”
  • Change Prompt to “Which word would you like to translate to an emoji?”
  • Add a series of If statements (under Scripting > Control Flow > If) for common words. For example:
    • If Input is “cat” then text = “\u{1F408}” (cat emoji)
    • If Input is “pizza” then text = “\u{1F355}” (pizza emoji)
    • If none match, return “No emoji found.”
  • End each If block appropriately (e.g., “Continue Shortcut” or “Otherwise”).
  • Finish with an action to Show Result, Speak Text, or Copy to Clipboard.

How to Use It

  • Run the shortcut, enter a word, and receive the matching emoji if it’s in your custom list.

3. View Shortcuts

Goal

Quickly see and manage all your custom shortcuts, including the “Emoji Translator.”

How to View and Organize Your Shortcuts

  • Open the Shortcuts app.
  • In My Shortcuts, you’ll see all your created shortcuts.
  • Tap the … (three dots) on a shortcut to edit it.
  • Long-press a shortcut for quick actions: Rename, Share, Duplicate, or Delete.
  • Pro Tip: Create folders in Shortcuts (tap the Folder icon top-left, choose “New Folder”) to keep everything organized.