“Character Viewer’” missing from menu bar in Catalina

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Level 1

20 points

“Character Viewer’” missing from menu bar in Catalina

This problem is similar to “Keyboard icon in menu bar not available” — but the “fix” suggested there does not work. As mentioned here I was able to bring up the Character Viewer by typing Control-⌘-Space, or from the menu bar: Edit > Emoji & Symbols.

But before Catalina, I could check a box in  menu > System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard labeled “show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar” to make a Character Viewer icon:

appear on the menu bar. That does not work for me any more. Screen shots with that checkbox checked:

and unchecked:

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 5, 2020 6:10 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

cwr Author

Level 1

20 points

Jan 6, 2020 9:52 AM in response to cwr

I started to reply:

Thanks for suggestions (That's the "Input Sources" tab, try "Keyboard" — too many items in your Status menu/improperly coded third-party status menu item). But neither seem relevant. Here is my example repeated using the checkbox in the Keyboard tab, and with the Caffeine app exited: …

then decided I ought to try a system Restart. Now it behaves as expected. This might have been my first restart since installing Catalina. Perhaps that is why Barney-15E had the same experience?

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

117,208 points

Jan 5, 2020 6:34 PM in response to cwr

Perhaps there are too many items in your Status menu to show it. But, it appears you have space.

Perhaps you have an improperly coded third-party status menu item that is interfering with the status menu.

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

126,755 points

Jan 5, 2020 7:21 PM in response to Barney-15E

Barney-15E wrote:

The preference is controlled by the checkbox in both panes, though the labels are different.

Apologies, I just realized what you were saying. The input sources or character icon should be visible if either or both are checked. Read your reply incorrectly.

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Answer 4

Barney-15E

Level 10

117,208 points

Jan 5, 2020 7:23 PM in response to dialabrain

It was still odd on my Mac as the Flag didn't appear when I toggled Input prefs, only the character viewer icon. I thought it was that I didn't have but one keyboard chosen.

I restarted and it now works correctly, as you describe.

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Answer 5

KGDance

Level 1

4 points

Feb 9, 2020 11:27 AM in response to cwr

If you have the new MacBook with the touch bar (just above the keyboard), the emojis are now available on the touch bar. If you are in an app that uses emojis (email, messenger, social media), you will see a smiley face on the touch bar. Just tap on the smiley face, and all of your emojis are right there... you can then slide (scroll) through them and choose the emoji you wish to use. I am just now learning all about how this new touch bar works. It is a beautiful thing! :)

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Answer 6

KGDance

Level 1

4 points

Feb 9, 2020 12:17 PM in response to cwr

Yes, your reply highlights the conundrum of the planned or unplanned obsolescence of technology. I just recently replaced my 2013 MacBook with the 2019 MacBook, in part because when I reviewed the information about Catalina, it looked like my Microsoft Word software (and possibly other apps I was using) would be outdated by the new OS. So I decided not to install Catalina on the 2013 MacBook. Several other apps were becoming "glitchy" as well. I waited and lived with glitchy for a time, but when Santa asked what I wanted for Christmas, it seemed like a good time to wipe the slate clean.

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