When I receive a text with an Emoji, a black box is shown next to it.

Question

When I receive a text with an Emoji, a black box is shown next to it.

First of all, this only happens when I'm texting my friend. He has an iPhone 5S and I have an iPhone 5 (version 6.1.4). Basically, when I get a text from him that has an Emoji in it, it will show the Emoji but right afterward it will have a small box with a thin black outline. I asked him if there was anything after the Emoji and he said he only sent that, so for some reason the boxes are just appearing there. I can receive texts with Emojis from other iPhone users and I won't have this problem, only when I'm getting a text from my one friend. Does anyone have any idea why this could be happening?

iPhone 5, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Jun 26, 2015 9:40 PM

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Answer 1

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Jun 28, 2015 4:25 PM in response to JohnSchloegel

Hello JohnSchloegel,

Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.

It looks like you're seeing boxes when receiving text messages that only have emoji in them.

This could happen if your friend sends emoji that have different skin tones, or sends other symbols that are available to iOS devices running iOS 8.3 or later.

For more information, see these links:

If emoji don't match or display unexpected characters on the recipient's device - Apple Support

Use emoji (emoticons) on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

If you'd like to update your iPhone 5 to iOS 8, see this link:

Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

All the best,

Jeremy

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