How to set your own emoticons in WhatsApp?

How to set your own emoticons in WhatsApp - briefly?

To set your own custom emoticons in WhatsApp, you'll need to use a third-party app that allows you to create and save custom stickers. Once created, these stickers can be added to your WhatsApp library for use in chats.

How to set your own emoticons in WhatsApp - in detail?

To set your own custom emoticons in WhatsApp, you'll need to follow a series of detailed steps that involve both creating the emojis and configuring WhatsApp to recognize them. This process requires some technical know-how but is entirely feasible with the right guidance.

Creating Custom Emoticons

Design Your Emoji: Use graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to create your custom emoji. Ensure it's a high-quality image and save it in PNG format for transparency.
Resize the Image: WhatsApp emojis are typically 512x512 pixels in size. Resize your image to match this dimension while maintaining its aspect ratio.
Name Your Emoji: WhatsApp uses specific names for each emoji, which you can find online or create yourself. For instance, "custom_emoji.png" should be renamed according to the Unicode standard (e.g., U+1F980).

Configuring WhatsApp

Root Your Android Device: To change system files, your device needs to be rooted. This process varies by device and can void your warranty. Ensure you have a backup before proceeding.
Access System Files:
- Install a file manager that supports root access, such as Root Explorer or ES File Explorer.
- Navigate to /system/fonts.
Replace the Font File:
- Find the font file named AndroidEmoji.ttf or similar. Rename it to something like original_emoji.ttf as a backup.
- Replace this file with your custom emoji font, which you can create using an online service like FontStruct or Glyphs. This font should include your custom emoticons in the Unicode mapping.
Reboot Your Device: After replacing the font file, reboot your device to apply the changes.

Testing Your Custom Emoticons

Open WhatsApp: Launch WhatsApp and navigate to any conversation where you can type a message.
Use Your Custom Emoji: Type the name of your custom emoji (e.g., :custom_emoji:) and see if it appears correctly in the preview.
Send a Message: If everything looks good, send a message with your new emoticon to ensure it displays correctly for the recipient as well.

Troubleshooting

Font File Compatibility: Ensure that your custom font file is compatible with Android and properly includes your custom emojis in the Unicode mapping.
Root Permissions: If you encounter issues, double-check that your device has proper root access and that the file manager app is correctly configured to modify system files.

Important Note

Modifying system files can potentially cause instability or other issues with your device. Always ensure you have a backup of your data before making any changes. Additionally, this process might not be supported on all devices or Android versions.

By following these steps meticulously, you can successfully set and use your own custom emoticons in WhatsApp, adding a personal touch to your conversations.