If you’ve been on TikTok for a while, you’ve probably seen people dropping funny emojis in comments that you can’t seem to find on your keyboard. You scroll through your emoji list, but they’re just… not there.

Well, here’s the secret: TikTok actually has its own hidden emojis — and most people don’t even know they exist. These emojis don’t come from your phone. They’re built right into the TikTok app itself. And the best part? You can unlock them just by typing a few special words inside square brackets.

Let’s break down how these hidden emojis work, why they’re worth using, and how you can try them out right now.

What Exactly Are Hidden TikTok Emojis?

So here’s the deal — TikTok’s hidden emojis are like the app’s secret language. Instead of using your normal emoji keyboard, you type things like [cry] or [wow] inside square brackets. Once you post your comment, TikTok automatically turns that code into a small custom emoji.

These little emojis aren’t random either. They have their own style — brighter colors, rounder shapes, and that signature TikTok vibe. They look a bit different from the regular emojis we use every day, which makes them feel more expressive and fun.

These emojis have been part of TikTok for a long time, but since they were never officially announced or shown in any menu, only curious users or old-school TikTokers ever discovered them. So if you start using them now, you’ll definitely stand out.

Why Should You Even Bother Using Them?

That’s a fair question — we already have tons of emojis, right? But these hidden ones hit differently. Here’s why people love them:

1. They Make Your Comments Pop

TikTok is flooded with comments, so anything unique helps you get noticed. Hidden emojis make your replies look a bit cooler and catch the eye immediately.

2. They Feel Exclusive

There’s something fun about using something not everyone knows about. When people see your custom emoji, they’ll often wonder, “Wait, how did they do that?”

3. They Add Personality

Sometimes the regular emojis don’t quite match the TikTok vibe. These hidden ones, though? They fit perfectly — they’re expressive, animated-looking, and full of attitude.

4. They Work Everywhere

The cool part is they look the same on every device — Android, iPhone, or desktop. No weird boxes or compatibility issues.

How to Use Hidden TikTok Emojis

Using these emojis is super easy. You don’t need any app or plugin — just TikTok itself.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open TikTok and go to the comment section or create a caption.

  2. Type the emoji code inside square brackets, like this → [happy]

  3. Post it — and boom! TikTok automatically turns it into a hidden emoji.

You can use them anywhere — in captions, comments, replies, even your bio. They’ll show up everywhere across the app.

Updated List of Hidden TikTok Emojis (2025)

Here’s the current list of hidden emojis you can use on TikTok. Try them all and see which ones you like most:

Code

Meaning

[smile]

Simple happy face

[cry]

Crying face

[angry]

Angry red face

[love]

Heart eyes

[shock]

Surprised face

[cool]

Sunglasses emoji

[funnyface]

Silly face

[flushed]

Shy or blushing

[wow]

Amazed face

[evil]

Sneaky or mischievous look

[bye]

Waving hand

[facepalm]

Facepalm

[dog]

Puppy face

[cat]

Cat face

[laugh]

Laughing emoji

[tongueout]

Cheeky tongue out face

TikTok may add new ones anytime, so it’s worth experimenting with random words inside brackets — sometimes you’ll find new emojis that aren’t on the official list yet.

Fun Ways to Use Them

1. In Comments

Next time you’re replying to a video, throw in one or two of these emojis. Something like:

“This cracked me up  [laugh][wow]”

It makes your comment pop and feel more expressive.

2. In Captions

Regular emojis are everywhere. Switch it up by adding TikTok’s own style:

“Trying this trend again  [cool][happy]”

3. In Your Bio

Want to make your profile look creative? Use these hidden emojis in your bio. Example:

“ Creating smiles [smile][love] | Living my best life [cool]”

4. In Replies or DMs

When replying to friends, these emojis help show tone and mood better — especially when words alone don’t cut it.

Emoji Combos to Try

You can also mix and match them depending on your mood or the kind of post you’re commenting on. Here are a few ideas:

  • Funny combo: [laugh][tongueout][funnyface]

  • Shocked reaction: [wow][shock][cry]

  • Cute mood: [cat][dog][happy]

  • Angry reaction: [angry][facepalm][evil]

  • Romantic vibe: [flushed][love][wink]

You’ll quickly figure out which ones match your energy the best.

Are These Emojis Safe?

Yes — completely safe. You’re not installing anything or breaking any rules. These emojis are part of TikTok’s own system, so you can use them freely without worrying about your account.

Pro Tip: Stay Updated

TikTok occasionally tweaks its features. Sometimes a hidden emoji stops working, and sometimes new ones appear out of nowhere.
So after every major app update, test out a few new bracket words — who knows, you might be the first to spot a new emoji before it goes viral.

Final Thoughts

Hidden TikTok emojis are one of those little things that make the app even more fun. They’re easy to use, they look cool, and they instantly make your comments and captions stand out.

If you’ve never tried them before, give it a go. Type [happy], [wow], or [love] in your next TikTok caption — and see how different it looks.

Sometimes, it’s the small things like these that make your content feel more personal and creative.

So go on — start using TikTok’s hidden emojis today and surprise your followers with something they haven’t seen before!