Enable Japanese Emoji Icons Outside Of Japan [Updated With Better Alternative]

Michael Johnston · February 2nd, 2009, 08:51 PM

In the 2.2 update, Apple added Emoji support for customers living in Japan. Emoji is the Japanese equivalent of emoticons, only there are a ton more. More details here.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you feel about emoji) Apple has chosen to only allow Emoji in Japan although it is included in every copy of 2.2 and later. Clever hackers have since discovered ways of enabling them via jailbreak, but a clean no-hack method has recently been discovered; with the help of an app.

To enable Emoji, simply buy a Japanese RSS reader called FrostyPlace. It's $0.99, a small price to pay for the ability to annoy your friends with poop. Keep in mind that if you've updated to 2.2.1 you'll have to wait until the update to FrostyPlace has been pushed out. Until then, it only works in 2.2 (you can update to 2.2.1 after enabling Emoji without fear of losing it).

Once installed, run the app and tap on a story. Yes it's all in Japanese, don't worry. Once you're thoroughly confused, go back to your Home Screen, hit settings and go to General>Keyboard>International Keyboards>Japanese>and enable Emoji. That's it!

If you don't have the option for Emoji, play around with the app a little longer.

Update: Gary Fung, developer of Typing Genius, emailed to let us know that his application will now enable Emoji support in 2.2.1. Currently available at $0.99, Typing Genius' primary use is to aide in improving your iPhone typing speed. We haven't played with it much, but it looks good. At least it's an app you can actually understand!

Update #2: We've received word from jedimacfan of a free alternative for enabling Emoji. Spell Number [App Store] now includes an easter egg which enables Emoji if you type in 9876543.2. Once you do that, simply turn on Emoji and you're set!

Update #3:The Spell Number guys changed the Emoji code to 91929394.59 due to Apple not being happy with enablers. Shhhh! ;]

Thanks [TheBORG]!

grady15 · **Dont update to 2.2.1** - February 2nd, 2009, 09:41 PM #2

While the emojis will still work if you update to 2.2.1 you have to enable it before you update to 2.2.1 (at least for know) so do this before you update!!

SockMonkey · February 3rd, 2009, 01:17 PM

I have my iPhone at 2.2.1 already and bought FrostyPlace before I knew that I could no longer enable the Emoji. Therefore, I must wait...

However, I'm wondering if you can then remove the FrostyPlace app from your iPhone once Emoji are enabled? Or does it need to remain installed?

Thanks!

summertime · **it works with 2.2.1** - February 3rd, 2009, 02:22 PM #4

i've downloaded the frostyplace after upgrading to 2.2.1 iPone version and it works perfectly...

go ahead guys

trevoray · **Emoji not available** - February 3rd, 2009, 05:05 PM #5

I've installed the program, played around with it a little and followed instructions and Emoji is still not available under Japanese keyboard languages. All that is there is: QWERTY and Kana. I did as instructions stated and "played around with it a little more" and still nothing. How much am I supposed to "play around" with this to get Emoji enabled?

SockMonkey · February 3rd, 2009, 05:46 PM #6

If your iPhone is on v2.2.1 then you will be playing around until a Frosty Place app update is released. It simply will not work on 2.2.1 unless you enabled it before you upgraded from 2.2.

summertime · February 4th, 2009, 07:47 AM #7

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevoray

I've installed the program, played around with it a little and followed instructions and Emoji is still not available under Japanese keyboard languages. All that is there is: QWERTY and Kana. I did as instructions stated and "played around with it a little more" and still nothing. How much am I supposed to "play around" with this to get Emoji enabled?

i hope this would help you:

http://tastyblogsnack.com/2009/01/23...thout-hacking/

SockMonkey · 01:24 PM

Thanks for posting the update. Now have Emoji on my 2.2.1 iPhone by purchasing Typing Genius. Also, to answer my original question... with Typing Genius, I uninstalled the app after enabling Emoji and they are still enabled.

Michael Johnston · February 4th, 2009, 05:56 PM #9

Quote:

Originally Posted by SockMonkey

Thanks for posting the update. Now have Emoji on my 2.2.1 iPhone by purchasing Typing Genius. Also, to answer my original question... with Typing Genius, I uninstalled the app after enabling Emoji and they are still enabled.

Yep. Once Emoji is enabled with any application, it sticks. This is because the app changes a plist which enables Emoji.

Rackman · February 9th, 2009, 06:37 PM

I'm confirming this works with Spell Number, a free app in iTunes.

Complete, simple instructions can be found at...

http://waterworld.com.hk/spell_number_easter_egg

I deleted the Spell Number app after enabling emoji's and they still work.

By son put this on his iPod Touch and it works on there for him too.

Have fun!

MintyFreshiPhone · **HAHAHA!!!** - February 22nd, 2009, 11:19 PM #11

Quote:

It's $0.99, a small price to pay for the ability to annoy your friends with poop.

that cracked me up really bad lol

Oh this is perfect. You KNOW how I do love me some weird Japanese stuffs xD

Shutterrelease · February 23rd, 2009, 12:46 PM #12

Yep this works!
Now if only my friends non iPhone phones could receive them.

Rory Bhoy · **Good App** - February 24th, 2009, 12:29 PM #13

I've just added it to my iPhone 3G and it works a treat.

Michael Johnston · February 24th, 2009, 12:44 PM #14

I reinstalled and restored my iPhone the other night and Emoji stuck.

Shutterrelease · February 25th, 2009, 01:09 AM #15

That's good to know, I wonder why it sticks even if the firmware is reinstalled. Strange...

Michael Johnston · February 25th, 2009, 01:22 AM #16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shutterrelease

That's good to know, I wonder why it sticks even if the firmware is reinstalled. Strange...

Because I restored from my backup. The preference is set in the user directory and that's what iTunes backs up.

NewGuy · March 4th, 2009, 08:45 PM #17

Just a heads up I used the Spell Number app to unlock the Emoji....an update is now out that takes the easter egg away. Not sure if it will "re-lock" it.

Don't really want to do the update.

Shutterrelease · March 4th, 2009, 09:14 PM #18

This won't re-lock it. Once the app does it's thing and activates the Emoji keyboard you are good to go. You can delete the app, update it, whatever. It won't change the iPhone keyboard. Go ahead and update, You'll be fine.

Gunny5821 · **Access to Emoji's** - March 12th, 2009, 04:50 AM #19

Ok, I have the original 8GB iPhone which is NOT jailbreaked. My OS is 2.2. I have installed Spell Number and followed the outlined instructions here and at www.waterworld.com. The number sequence used was:
9876543.2
9876543.21
Neither enabled Emoji... So can someone show me the light. It's going to be some little thing, but I can't see it!

Thanks. ~~. Gunny

NewGuy · March 12th, 2009, 07:43 AM #20

Apple cracked down on emoji enablers. Spellnumbe put an update out last week removing the emoji enabler aspect so it no longer works.

I don't know about the other apps.

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Michael Johnston This is my fricken site, durrrr Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 2,696 Thanks: 11 Thanked 45 Times in 40 Posts	Enable Japanese Emoji Icons Outside Of Japan [Updated With Better Alternative] - February 2nd, 2009, 08:51 PM #1
	<script language="JavaScript" src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/13894/222/viewJScript?pool=13886&type=3158&pos=20&zone=5000"></script> In the 2.2 update, Apple added Emoji support for customers living in Japan. Emoji is the Japanese equivalent of emoticons, only there are a ton more. More details here. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you feel about emoji) Apple has chosen to only allow Emoji in Japan although it is included in every copy of 2.2 and later. Clever hackers have since discovered ways of enabling them via jailbreak, but a clean no-hack method has recently been discovered; with the help of an app. To enable Emoji, simply buy a Japanese RSS reader called FrostyPlace. It's $0.99, a small price to pay for the ability to annoy your friends with poop. Keep in mind that if you've updated to 2.2.1 you'll have to wait until the update to FrostyPlace has been pushed out. Until then, it only works in 2.2 (you can update to 2.2.1 after enabling Emoji without fear of losing it). Once installed, run the app and tap on a story. Yes it's all in Japanese, don't worry. Once you're thoroughly confused, go back to your Home Screen, hit settings and go to General>Keyboard>International Keyboards>Japanese>and enable Emoji. That's it! If you don't have the option for Emoji, play around with the app a little longer. Update: Gary Fung, developer of Typing Genius, emailed to let us know that his application will now enable Emoji support in 2.2.1. Currently available at $0.99, Typing Genius' primary use is to aide in improving your iPhone typing speed. We haven't played with it much, but it looks good. At least it's an app you can actually understand! Update #2: We've received word from jedimacfan of a free alternative for enabling Emoji. Spell Number [App Store] now includes an easter egg which enables Emoji if you type in 9876543.2. Once you do that, simply turn on Emoji and you're set! Update #3:The Spell Number guys changed the Emoji code to 91929394.59 due to Apple not being happy with enablers. Shhhh! ;] Thanks [TheBORG]! __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: White 32GB iPhone 3GS iPhone Version: Whatever the latest is because I'm crazy like that. Computer & OS: 15" Unibody MacBook Pro + OS X Leopard 10.5 AIM: iPhoneAlley twitter: MichaelJohnston

grady15 New Recruit Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dont update to 2.2.1 - February 2nd, 2009, 09:41 PM #2
	While the emojis will still work if you update to 2.2.1 you have to enable it before you update to 2.2.1 (at least for know) so do this before you update!! __________________ ---------------------------------------------- White iPhone 3G Aluminum Mac Book 2.4ghz, ssd, 4g ram iMac 20'

SockMonkey Forum Lurker Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Can you remove Frosty Place after enabling emoji? - February 3rd, 2009, 01:17 PM #3
	I have my iPhone at 2.2.1 already and bought FrostyPlace before I knew that I could no longer enable the Emoji. Therefore, I must wait... However, I'm wondering if you can then remove the FrostyPlace app from your iPhone once Emoji are enabled? Or does it need to remain installed? Thanks!

summertime Forum Lurker Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	it works with 2.2.1 - February 3rd, 2009, 02:22 PM #4
	i've downloaded the frostyplace after upgrading to 2.2.1 iPone version and it works perfectly... go ahead guys

trevoray Forum Lurker Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Emoji not available - February 3rd, 2009, 05:05 PM #5
	I've installed the program, played around with it a little and followed instructions and Emoji is still not available under Japanese keyboard languages. All that is there is: QWERTY and Kana. I did as instructions stated and "played around with it a little more" and still nothing. How much am I supposed to "play around" with this to get Emoji enabled?

SockMonkey Forum Lurker Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	February 3rd, 2009, 05:46 PM #6
	If your iPhone is on v2.2.1 then you will be playing around until a Frosty Place app update is released. It simply will not work on 2.2.1 unless you enabled it before you upgraded from 2.2.

SockMonkey Forum Lurker Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Typing Genius App worked for me. - February 4th, 2009, 01:20 PM #8
	Thanks for posting the update. Now have Emoji on my 2.2.1 iPhone by purchasing Typing Genius. Also, to answer my original question... with Typing Genius, I uninstalled the app after enabling Emoji and they are still enabled. Last edited by SockMonkey; February 4th, 2009 at 01:24 PM.

Rackman New Recruit Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 17 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Works with Spell Number... - February 9th, 2009, 06:37 PM #10
	I'm confirming this works with Spell Number, a free app in iTunes. Complete, simple instructions can be found at... http://waterworld.com.hk/spell_number_easter_egg I deleted the Spell Number app after enabling emoji's and they still work. By son put this on his iPod Touch and it works on there for him too. Have fun!

Shutterrelease Rocks the Board Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Orion Arm of the Milky Way Posts: 413 Thanks: 10 Thanked 26 Times in 26 Posts	February 23rd, 2009, 12:46 PM #12
	Yep this works! Now if only my friends non iPhone phones could receive them. __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: Black 16GB iPhone 3G iPhone Version: The Latest and Greatest. Hacks: None, but tempted... Computer & OS: iMac OSX Snow Leopard 10.6.1 There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer. - Ansel Adams

Rory Bhoy Forum Lurker Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Good App - February 24th, 2009, 12:29 PM #13
	I've just added it to my iPhone 3G and it works a treat.

Michael Johnston This is my fricken site, durrrr Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 2,696 Thanks: 11 Thanked 45 Times in 40 Posts	February 24th, 2009, 12:44 PM #14
	I reinstalled and restored my iPhone the other night and Emoji stuck. __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: White 32GB iPhone 3GS iPhone Version: Whatever the latest is because I'm crazy like that. Computer & OS: 15" Unibody MacBook Pro + OS X Leopard 10.5 AIM: iPhoneAlley twitter: MichaelJohnston

Shutterrelease Rocks the Board Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Orion Arm of the Milky Way Posts: 413 Thanks: 10 Thanked 26 Times in 26 Posts	February 25th, 2009, 01:09 AM #15
	That's good to know, I wonder why it sticks even if the firmware is reinstalled. Strange... __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: Black 16GB iPhone 3G iPhone Version: The Latest and Greatest. Hacks: None, but tempted... Computer & OS: iMac OSX Snow Leopard 10.6.1 There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer. - Ansel Adams

NewGuy iPA Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	March 4th, 2009, 08:45 PM #17
	Just a heads up I used the Spell Number app to unlock the Emoji....an update is now out that takes the easter egg away. Not sure if it will "re-lock" it. Don't really want to do the update.

Shutterrelease Rocks the Board Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Orion Arm of the Milky Way Posts: 413 Thanks: 10 Thanked 26 Times in 26 Posts	March 4th, 2009, 09:14 PM #18
	This won't re-lock it. Once the app does it's thing and activates the Emoji keyboard you are good to go. You can delete the app, update it, whatever. It won't change the iPhone keyboard. Go ahead and update, You'll be fine. __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: Black 16GB iPhone 3G iPhone Version: The Latest and Greatest. Hacks: None, but tempted... Computer & OS: iMac OSX Snow Leopard 10.6.1 There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer. - Ansel Adams

Gunny5821 Forum Lurker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Access to Emoji's - March 12th, 2009, 04:50 AM #19
	Ok, I have the original 8GB iPhone which is NOT jailbreaked. My OS is 2.2. I have installed Spell Number and followed the outlined instructions here and at www.waterworld.com. The number sequence used was: 9876543.2 9876543.21 Neither enabled Emoji... So can someone show me the light. It's going to be some little thing, but I can't see it! Thanks. ~~. Gunny

NewGuy iPA Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	March 12th, 2009, 07:43 AM #20
	Apple cracked down on emoji enablers. Spellnumbe put an update out last week removing the emoji enabler aspect so it no longer works. I don't know about the other apps.