Learn how to get back the missing emoji button on your MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar if it doesn’t appear when you’re typing in Notes or other apps.
Initially, I detested the Touch Bar. But over time, I got used to it, and now I like it because it makes typing emojis extremely easy.
Then, one day, I ventured into Mac settings to customize the Touch Bar and lost the emoji key. Earlier, the Touch Bar would show the emoji button every time a text field, like Notes, WordPress, etc., would be on the screen. After changing the settings, I lost the emoji key. Even when in a typing field, the Touch Bar wouldn’t show the emoji button to pick the desired emoji.
I primarily use the Touch Bar for entering emojis, and losing this main capability was frustrating. Thankfully, after an infuriating few days, I found the solution.
Restore the emoji key on your MacBook’s Touch Bar
- Open System Settings on your Mac.
- Scroll down and click Keyboard from the bottom.
- Click the Touch Bar Settings button.
- Click the dropdown menu next to Touch Bar shows, select App Controls, and hit Done.
On older versions of macOS
- Open System Preferences on your Mac.
- Select Keyboard.
- Choose the dropdown menu for Touch Bar shows and select App Controls.
Now, open Notes or another app where you can type (except the browser search bar). You will see the emoji key on the left of your Touch Bar. Tap it to find and use the desired emojis. Note that you may have to tap the arrow button (>) in some apps to reveal the emoji option. After revealing, it should show on the Touch Bar for the entire duration of your typing.
In the rare case you still don’t see the emoji key on your MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar, simply restart your Mac. Additionally, it would help to have the latest macOS version on your computer.
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