iMessage Emoji Meanings
Discover how emojis are interpreted differently on Apple iMessage. Learn the platform-specific meanings and usage.
148 emojis with iMessage-specific notes
iMessage Emoji Meanings
Baby Angel: Dark Skin Tone
Angel! Innocent or heavenly.
Baby Angel: Light Skin Tone
Angel! Innocent or heavenly.
Baby Angel: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Angel! Innocent or heavenly.
Baby Angel: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Angel! Innocent or heavenly.
Baby Angel: Medium Skin Tone
Angel! Innocent or heavenly.
Astronaut: Dark Skin Tone
Astronaut! Space or exploration.
Astronaut: Light Skin Tone
Astronaut! Space or exploration.
Astronaut: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Astronaut! Space or exploration.
Astronaut: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Astronaut! Space or exploration.
Astronaut: Medium Skin Tone
Astronaut! Space or exploration.
Backhand Index Pointing Left: Dark Skin Tone
Over there! Used for pointing back, emphasis, or the shy 👉👈 gesture.
Backhand Index Pointing Left: Light Skin Tone
Over there! Used for pointing back, emphasis, or the shy 👉👈 gesture.
Backhand Index Pointing Left: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Over there! Used for pointing back, emphasis, or the shy 👉👈 gesture.
Backhand Index Pointing Left: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Over there! Used for pointing back, emphasis, or the shy 👉👈 gesture.
Backhand Index Pointing Left: Medium Skin Tone
Over there! Used for pointing back, emphasis, or the shy 👉👈 gesture.
Backhand Index Pointing Right: Dark Skin Tone
Look here! Used for pointing, emphasis, or the famous 👉👈 shy gesture.
Backhand Index Pointing Right: Light Skin Tone
Look here! Used for pointing, emphasis, or the famous 👉👈 shy gesture.
Backhand Index Pointing Right: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Look here! Used for pointing, emphasis, or the famous 👉👈 shy gesture.
Backhand Index Pointing Right: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Look here! Used for pointing, emphasis, or the famous 👉👈 shy gesture.
Backhand Index Pointing Right: Medium Skin Tone
Look here! Used for pointing, emphasis, or the famous 👉👈 shy gesture.
Person Bouncing Ball: Dark Skin Tone
Represents person bouncing ball.
Person Bouncing Ball: Light Skin Tone
Represents person bouncing ball.
Person Bouncing Ball: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents person bouncing ball.
Person Bouncing Ball: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents person bouncing ball.
Person Bouncing Ball: Medium Skin Tone
Represents person bouncing ball.
Person Biking: Dark Skin Tone
Represents person biking.
Person Biking: Light Skin Tone
Represents person biking.
Person Biking: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents person biking.
Person Biking: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents person biking.
Person Biking: Medium Skin Tone
Represents person biking.
Black Medium Square
Represents black medium square.
Brown Square
Represents brown square.
Person Cartwheeling: Dark Skin Tone
Represents person cartwheeling.
Person Cartwheeling: Light Skin Tone
Represents person cartwheeling.
Person Cartwheeling: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents person cartwheeling.
Person Cartwheeling: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents person cartwheeling.
Person Cartwheeling: Medium Skin Tone
Represents person cartwheeling.
Cook: Dark Skin Tone
Chef! Cooking or culinary.
Cook: Light Skin Tone
Chef! Cooking or culinary.
Cook: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Chef! Cooking or culinary.
Cook: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Chef! Cooking or culinary.
Cook: Medium Skin Tone
Chef! Cooking or culinary.
Person Climbing: Dark Skin Tone
Represents person climbing.
Person Climbing: Light Skin Tone
Represents person climbing.
Person Climbing: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents person climbing.
Person Climbing: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents person climbing.
Person Climbing: Medium Skin Tone
Represents person climbing.
Detective: Dark Skin Tone
Represents detective.
Detective: Light Skin Tone
Represents detective.
Detective: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents detective.
Detective: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents detective.
Detective: Medium Skin Tone
Represents detective.
Face Blowing a Kiss
Sending love/kisses. More romantic than friendly, but used broadly.
Face with Rolling Eyes
Universal eye-roll meaning annoyance, dismissiveness, or 'here we go again'.
Fairy: Dark Skin Tone
Fairy! Magical or whimsical.
Fairy: Light Skin Tone
Fairy! Magical or whimsical.
Fairy: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Fairy! Magical or whimsical.
Fairy: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Fairy! Magical or whimsical.
Fairy: Medium Skin Tone
Fairy! Magical or whimsical.
Person Fencing: Dark Skin Tone
Represents person fencing.
Person Fencing: Light Skin Tone
Represents person fencing.
Person Fencing: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents person fencing.
Person Fencing: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents person fencing.
Person Fencing: Medium Skin Tone
Represents person fencing.
Guard: Dark Skin Tone
Represents guard.
Guard: Light Skin Tone
Represents guard.
Guard: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents guard.
Guard: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents guard.
Guard: Medium Skin Tone
Represents guard.
Red Heart
The classic love emoji - used for romantic love, deep affection, or strong appreciation.
Large Blue Diamond
Represents large blue diamond.
Person in Lotus Position: Dark Skin Tone
Represents person in lotus position.
Person in Lotus Position: Light Skin Tone
Represents person in lotus position.
Person in Lotus Position: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents person in lotus position.
Person in Lotus Position: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents person in lotus position.
Person in Lotus Position: Medium Skin Tone
Represents person in lotus position.
Mechanical Arm: Dark Skin Tone
Strength, cyborg vibes, or disability representation.
Mechanical Arm: Light Skin Tone
Strength, cyborg vibes, or disability representation.
Mechanical Arm: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Strength, cyborg vibes, or disability representation.
Mechanical Arm: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Strength, cyborg vibes, or disability representation.
Mechanical Arm: Medium Skin Tone
Strength, cyborg vibes, or disability representation.
Merperson: Dark Skin Tone
Mermaid! Ocean or fantasy.
Merperson: Light Skin Tone
Mermaid! Ocean or fantasy.
Merperson: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Mermaid! Ocean or fantasy.
Merperson: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Mermaid! Ocean or fantasy.
Merperson: Medium Skin Tone
Mermaid! Ocean or fantasy.
Orange Circle
Represents orange circle.
Orange Square
Represents orange square.
Person Biking: Dark Skin Tone
Cycling, exercise, eco-friendly transport, or Tour de France.
Person Biking: Light Skin Tone
Cycling, exercise, eco-friendly transport, or Tour de France.
Person Biking: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Cycling, exercise, eco-friendly transport, or Tour de France.
Person Taking Bath: Dark Skin Tone
Represents person taking bath.
Person Taking Bath: Light Skin Tone
Represents person taking bath.
Person Taking Bath: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents person taking bath.
Person Taking Bath: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents person taking bath.
Person Taking Bath: Medium Skin Tone
Represents person taking bath.
Person in Bed: Dark Skin Tone
Represents person in bed.
Person in Bed: Light Skin Tone
Represents person in bed.
Person in Bed: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents person in bed.
Person in Bed: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents person in bed.
Person in Bed: Medium Skin Tone
Represents person in bed.
Person Running: Dark Skin Tone
Running, exercise, rushing, or escaping a situation.
Person Running: Light Skin Tone
Running, exercise, rushing, or escaping a situation.
Person Running: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Running, exercise, rushing, or escaping a situation.
Person Running: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Running, exercise, rushing, or escaping a situation.
Person Running: Medium Skin Tone
Running, exercise, rushing, or escaping a situation.
Person Shrugging
The universal 'idk' or 'whatever.' Confusion, indifference, or 'I don't know what to tell you.'
Person Swimming: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Swimming, pool time, summer vibes, or staying afloat.
Person Swimming: Medium Skin Tone
Swimming, pool time, summer vibes, or staying afloat.
Pleading Face
The 'please' or 'puppy eyes' emoji. Used for begging, cuteness, or showing vulnerability.
Purple Circle
Represents purple circle.
Purple Circle
Special status, creative, or unique.
Purple Square
Represents purple square.
Red Circle
Represents red circle.
Red Square
Represents red square.
Red Triangle Pointed Up
Represents red triangle pointed up.
Small Blue Diamond
Represents small blue diamond.
Small Orange Diamond
Represents small orange diamond.
Smiling Face with Halo
Innocent, angelic, or sarcastically good.
Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes
Warm, genuine happiness. The friendly, wholesome smile without negative connotations.
Smiling Face
Content and happy. Simple, warm smile.
Speak-No-Evil Monkey
'Oops I said too much' or keeping a secret. The 'shouldn't have said that' emoji.
Supervillain: Dark Skin Tone
Villain! Bad or mischievous.
Supervillain: Light Skin Tone
Villain! Bad or mischievous.
Supervillain: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Villain! Bad or mischievous.
Supervillain: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Villain! Bad or mischievous.
Supervillain: Medium Skin Tone
Villain! Bad or mischievous.
Person in Tuxedo: Dark Skin Tone
Represents person in tuxedo.
Person in Tuxedo: Light Skin Tone
Represents person in tuxedo.
Person in Tuxedo: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Represents person in tuxedo.
Person in Tuxedo: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Represents person in tuxedo.
Person in Tuxedo: Medium Skin Tone
Represents person in tuxedo.
Unamused Face
Clearly shows displeasure, skepticism, or 'I'm not impressed'.
Vampire: Dark Skin Tone
Vampire! Gothic or draining.
Vampire: Light Skin Tone
Vampire! Gothic or draining.
Vampire: Medium-Dark Skin Tone
Vampire! Gothic or draining.
Vampire: Medium-Light Skin Tone
Vampire! Gothic or draining.
Vampire: Medium Skin Tone
Vampire! Gothic or draining.
Waving Hand
Hello or goodbye wave. Friendly greeting, casual farewell, or a soft opener in a chat.
White Circle
Represents white circle.
White Medium-Small Square
Represents white medium-small square.
White Medium Square
Represents white medium square.
White Small Square
Represents white small square.
Winking Face
Playful wink implying a joke, inside knowledge, or flirtation.
Yellow Circle
Represents yellow circle.
Yellow Circle
Caution, warning, or away status.
Yellow Square
Represents yellow square.
Zany Face
Being goofy, wild, or silly. Often used when doing something crazy or spontaneous.