Will I get charged for sending an Emoji/Emoticon/Bitmoji on EE?

[Katie_B]

Here we'll let you know any charges for sending Emoji/Emoticons/Bitmoji from your device on EE.

What is an Emoji/Emoticon/Bitmoji?

Most smartphones now allow you to bring your messages to life in fun animated ways that recreate your movements and expressions:

• Animojis on the iPhone X and above can be used to create an animated animal emoji character of yourself to share.

• The Samsung S9/S9+ has an AR Emoji camera feature. The camera allows you to make an animated version of yourself, which you can share in short clips or GIFs.

• Bitmojis are now also very popular. These are like Animojis which allow you to create a cartoon version of yourself. You can send photos in different scenarios such as being at the gym. These can be created and used in text messages, and saved as pictures to use on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also connect your Snapchat and Bitmoji to add to stories and location.  

How much will I be charged for sending an Emoji/Emoticon/Bitmoji?

If you have an older phone, have downloaded a new keyboard app, or if the settings on your phone are set up in a certain way, your phone may convert a text message with an Emoji into a picture message, which may be chargeable. Bitmojis will be chargeable when sent via MMS. 

For the latest pricing information, please take a look at the pay monthly price guide or the pay as you go price guide for exact details. 

This isn't something that EE or any network controls, as it's down to how your device works, but it's straightforward for you to change this. 

If you would like to turn off the ability to send and receive picture messages, see our Text messages converted to picture messages Help page for the steps you need.

Will I be charged for receiving Emoji/Emoticons/Bitmoji?

No you won't be charged for receiving any pictures to your device.

If you have any further questions, please tap "Reply" below.

[Mrs_S_A_Jones]

I believe you do get charged when using emojis in old school text messages.
I think ee charge about 20p per emoji.

[fredphoesh]

YES
That is the problem.
EE are exploiting the situation.

[wardi]

Unfortunately this is something that happens when most phones are interpreting emojis as pictures, hence the charge.  I agree it shouldn't happen because at the end of the day it's not a picture!

In the meantime, to avoid receiving charges for messages that you are sending do the following..
Go to your text message page then tap the 3 bars in the top right corner.

Settings/More Settings/Text Messages/Input Mode .. change the latter to 'Unicode'.

Since I did this I haven't been charged for any emojis.  Hope that helps.

[Shazza2002]

I think it’s discusting that we get charge for a tiny emoji 40p each 

this needs to change 

[Chris_B]

@Shazza2002  Doesn’t matter what size it is it’s still an MMS ( picture) and these are chargeable and the network can not distinguish the difference between a small image to a large image it’s just an image so you get charged the same amount even if it was a picture of this  size.

[mikeliuk]

Hi @Shazza2002 ,

If you set the Input mode to Unicode and set a spend cap of zero, the situation should definitely change.

Once Unicode is sending fine, you would even be able to lift the spend cap.

[karol16]

will I be charged sending a basic emojo  like this. that all smartphones have   🙂😄 via text msg  not mms  or will I be charged the same as I would sending a pic via mms 

[mikeliuk]

Hi @karol16 ,

From this thread and others like it, this will depend on whether your device has been set to take Unicode input and whether your device will convert the SMS to MMS before sending.

If you follow the above advice to correct the settings and apply a zero spend cap, you should be able to send Unicode emoji as a simple Unicode text message and the spend cap will prevent the accidental sending of a MMS if you misconfigure your device.

[Chris_B]

@karol16  What device are you using and do you know what device you are sending it to ?   It’s not just about your device.   

[pemills555]

Sadly didn't help as the link wouldn't open as it said that I didn't have the authority to get to that service