The way people communicate has changed by the emojis, and colors and emotions have been added to messages. Among so many emojis nowadays, probably one of the most frequent is the shrug emoji 🤷, which signified confusion or rhetorical questions. This is a nice simple way of saying “I don’t know,” or “I’m not sure,” and adds personality to our digital chats.
Before emojis went viral, we already had typed emoticons of equal cuteness. The classic shrugging emoticon reminds us of the time when we would physically type on keyboards and discuss online on AOL Instant Messenger. There is something nostalgic in these text-based symbols that emojis don’t really capture.
For us who remember their old physical keyboards and early chatrooms, the task of typing out the shrug emoticon might evoke some sweet memories. If you still enjoy using the classic ¯\(ツ)/¯ over its emoji version, read on for how to do that quickly on a Mac, Windows PC, iPhone, and Android device. Whether you need to save some time or just want to reminisce about the good old days of digital communication, knowing how to type this emoticon is a pretty handy thing to have mastered.
How to Type the Shrug Emoji ¯\(ツ)/¯ Easily
Sometimes the shrug emoji ¯\(ツ)/¯ can be a pain in the neck to type out. Because of that most people just cut and paste it from websites like CopyShrug. But that works if you use the emoji rarely; otherwise, you are going to get annoyed yourself when you keep trying to use it. It is a pain to have to slow down your speed every time to go to the website to copy and paste the emoji especially on a phone.
A much better way to handle that issue, though, is if you set up a text replacement shortcut on your device. That basically creates it possible, in effect, to create the shortcut auto-type out the shrug emoji each time you’re typing in a certain word or phrase. In doing that, it would make it easier and much quicker to have the emoji in a message.
How to Type the Shrug Emoji: on Mac
1. Copy “¯\_(ツ)_/¯”
2. Go to System Preferences
3. Click Keyboard
4. Press Text
5. In the Replace box, type “shrug”
6. In the With box, paste “¯\_(ツ)_/¯”
How to Type the Shrug Emoji: on Windows
If you’re using Windows and want to type the shrug emoji (¯\(ツ)/¯), don’t worry—there are several ways to do it. Although Windows doesn’t have a built-in text replacement feature like macOS, there are still easy methods you can use.
Method 1: Use Text Replacement in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word, a familiar tool for many, has a feature called AutoCorrect that can help you set up a shortcut for the shrug emoji. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open Microsoft Word: Start by launching Word and opening a new or existing document.
- Access AutoCorrect Options: Click on “File,” then select “Options.” Under the “Proofing” section, click on “AutoCorrect Options.”
- Create a New AutoCorrect Entry: In the AutoCorrect dialog box, type “shrug” (or another shortcut of your choice) in the “Replace” field. In the “With” field, paste ¯\(ツ)/¯.
- Save Your Changes: Click “OK” to save the new entry.
Now, whenever you type “shrug” in Word, it will automatically change to the shrug emoji. This can save you time when you’re writing documents, emails, or even casual notes.
Method 2: Copy and Paste
If you prefer not to set up AutoCorrect, you can simply use the copy-and-paste method. Save the shrug emoji in a document or note, and copy it whenever you need to use it. It might take a little more time, but it’s a reliable option when you’re in a hurry.
Method 3: Use the Character Map
Windows also has a tool called Character Map, which allows you to insert special characters into your documents. Here’s how to use it:
- Open Character Map: Search for “Character Map” in the Start menu and open it.
- Find the Characters: Scroll through the list to find the characters you need for the shrug emoji, including the backslash, underscore, and Japanese katakana “ツ”.
- Copy and Paste: Once you have all the characters, copy and paste them into your document.
This method might be a bit more time-consuming, but it’s a good alternative if you’re unable to set up text replacements or are using a computer that doesn’t allow for such changes.
How to Type the Shrug Emoji: on iPhone
1. Copy “¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ”
2. Go to Settings
3. Press General
4. Tap Keyboard
5. Choose Text Replacement
6. Select the “+” button
7. In the Shortcut field, type “shrug”
8. In the Phrase field, paste “¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ”
How to Type the Shrug Emoji: on Android
1. Copy “¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ”
2. From your text message keyboard, tap the three dots
3. Go to Settings
4. Tap Dictionary
5. On a Google Pixel, press Personal Dictionary; using a Samsung device, tap Text Shortcuts
6. Select your language
7. Select the “+”
8. In the Shortcut field, type “shrug”
9. Tap the ” ¯\_(ツ)_/¯” that shows up on the keyboard
Conclusion
Emojis have become a popular way to express ourselves in digital communication, and the shrug emoji ¯\(ツ)/¯ is a great example of how a simple symbol can capture complex feelings. Whether you’re using a Mac, Windows PC, iPhone, or Android device, knowing how to type the shrug emoji quickly is a handy skill. It not only saves time but also adds a bit of personality to your messages, making your conversations more lively and expressive.
In today’s world, where much of our communication happens online, being able to express yourself clearly and with a touch of uniqueness is more important than ever. So, why not set up a text replacement shortcut and start using the shrug emoji more often? With over 10 billion emojis sent every day, it’s a fun way to make your messages stand out.
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