Apple has unleashed hundreds of new emoji in its most recent updates of its iOS and OS X operating systems. Most of them, including the new awkwardly diverse options, are available in the iOS emoji keyboard or in Messages on OS X. Some, however, are missing from the keyboard, including the new Spock emoji and most of the world’s flags.
Here are some simple steps to use these hidden emoji in your iOS messages once you’ve updated your software.
1. Find a copy of the emoji
For the Spock emoji you can use this tweet or copy it right here 🖖. For all the world’s flags, check out this list.
2. Copy the emoji
Select the emoji you’re after and hold down on it until the copy option appears, then copy it.
3. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Shortcuts
Click the “+” button at the top.
4. Paste in the emoji
Paste in the “Phrase” line and add some text for the shortcut you’ll remember. Twitter seems fond of ”llap” for the Spock emoji.
That’s it. Go out, send emoji, live long and prosper.
Image by Sarah Mirk on Flickr, licensed under CC-BY-2.0.