How To Make A Heart Symbol On IPhone And IPad: 4 Easy Ways

Aug 22, 2025 by Mei Lin 59 views

Hey guys! Ever wanted to add a little love to your texts, emails, or social media posts on your iPhone or iPad? A heart symbol can be the perfect way to express your feelings, whether you’re sending a sweet message to a friend, celebrating a special occasion, or just want to add a touch of warmth to your digital communication. But, you might be wondering, how do you actually make a heart symbol (♥) on your iOS device? It’s not as straightforward as typing a letter or number, but don’t worry! There are several simple methods to achieve this, and I’m here to walk you through each one. This guide will show you step-by-step how to create heart symbols using various techniques, from copy-pasting to using keyboard shortcuts and text replacements. So, let’s dive in and spread the love!

Why Use Heart Symbols?

Before we get into the how-to, let’s talk a bit about why you might want to use heart symbols. Hearts are universally recognized as a symbol of love, affection, and care. Adding a heart to your messages can instantly make them feel more personal and heartfelt. Whether you’re sending a birthday greeting, a thank you note, or just a friendly hello, a heart can convey your emotions in a way that words sometimes can’t. In our digital world, where so much communication is text-based, emojis and symbols like hearts help to add emotional context and prevent misunderstandings. Plus, let’s be honest, they just look cute! Using heart symbols can also make your messages stand out. In a sea of plain text, a little heart can catch the eye and make your message more memorable. So, whether you’re a romantic at heart or just want to add a bit of flair to your messages, learning how to make a heart symbol on your iPhone or iPad is a handy skill to have.

Method 1: Copy and Paste Heart Symbols

The easiest and most straightforward way to insert a heart symbol on your iPhone or iPad is by using the copy-paste method. This technique involves finding a heart symbol online or in another app, copying it, and then pasting it into your desired text field. It might sound a bit clunky, but it’s super effective and works in almost any app. Here’s how to do it:

Find a Heart Symbol: First, you need to find a heart symbol. You can do this by searching on the internet (e.g., using Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo). Simply type “heart symbol” into the search bar, and you’ll find plenty of websites that display the symbol. Alternatively, you can find heart symbols in other apps, such as notes, emails, or even messaging apps where someone else has used them.
Copy the Symbol: Once you’ve found a heart symbol, press and hold your finger on the symbol until the text selection options appear (e.g., “Copy,” “Look Up,” “Share”). Tap “Copy.” The heart symbol is now copied to your device’s clipboard.
Paste the Symbol: Navigate to the text field where you want to insert the heart symbol. This could be in a messaging app like iMessage or WhatsApp, an email app like Gmail or Outlook, a social media app like Instagram or Facebook, or a note-taking app like Notes or Evernote. Tap and hold your finger in the text field until the “Paste” option appears. Tap “Paste.”
Enjoy Your Heart: The heart symbol will now appear in your text field. You can use this method to insert as many heart symbols as you like, and it works consistently across different apps and platforms. This method is incredibly versatile and requires no special setup or technical knowledge. It’s perfect for those who need a quick and easy solution without diving into keyboard settings or text replacements.

Pros of Copy-Pasting

Simple and Quick: This method is incredibly straightforward and requires no special setup.
Universally Applicable: It works in almost any app on your iPhone or iPad.
No Special Skills Required: Anyone can do it, regardless of their tech savviness.

Cons of Copy-Pasting

Requires an Extra Step: You need to switch between apps or find the symbol online.
Can Be Time-Consuming: If you frequently use heart symbols, this method can become tedious.

Method 2: Using Text Replacement

For those who frequently use heart symbols, the Text Replacement feature on iOS devices can be a lifesaver. This feature allows you to create custom shortcuts that automatically insert a specific text or symbol when you type a certain phrase. This means you can type something simple like “<3” or “heart” and have it instantly replaced with a heart symbol (♥). Setting up Text Replacement might take a few minutes initially, but it can save you a lot of time in the long run. Here’s how to set it up and use it:

Copy a Heart Symbol: Start by copying a heart symbol. You can use the method described above (searching online and copying) or copy it from any other source where you find it.
Open Settings: On your iPhone or iPad, open the “Settings” app.
Navigate to Keyboard Settings: Scroll down and tap “General,” then tap “Keyboard.”
Access Text Replacement: Tap “Text Replacement.” This is where you can manage your custom text shortcuts.
Create a New Shortcut: Tap the “+” button in the upper-right corner of the screen to add a new text replacement.
Paste the Heart Symbol: In the “Phrase” field, paste the heart symbol you copied earlier.
Enter a Shortcut: In the “Shortcut” field, type the phrase or characters you want to use as your shortcut. Common choices include “<3,” “heart,” “hheart,” or any other combination you’ll remember easily. Just make sure it’s not a word you commonly use, to avoid accidental replacements.
Save the Shortcut: Tap “Save” in the upper-right corner to save your new text replacement.
Use Your Shortcut: Now, whenever you type your chosen shortcut in any text field on your iPhone or iPad, it will automatically be replaced with the heart symbol. For example, if you set “<3” as your shortcut, typing “<3” and then pressing the space bar will instantly insert a heart symbol.

Pros of Text Replacement

Convenient and Fast: Once set up, it’s the quickest way to insert a heart symbol.
Customizable: You can choose any shortcut you like.
Saves Time: Ideal for frequent users of heart symbols.

Cons of Text Replacement

Initial Setup Required: It takes a few minutes to set up the shortcut.
Requires Planning: You need to choose a shortcut that you won’t accidentally type.
Multiple Steps: There are several steps involved in the setup process.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party Keyboard App

If you’re looking for even more flexibility and a wider range of symbols, consider using a third-party keyboard app. There are many keyboard apps available on the App Store that offer additional symbols, emojis, and customization options, including easy access to heart symbols. These apps often have dedicated symbol keyboards or allow you to create custom layouts. Here’s how to use a third-party keyboard app to make heart symbols:

Download a Keyboard App: Head to the App Store and search for keyboard apps that offer symbol support. Some popular options include Gboard (Google Keyboard), SwiftKey, and Grammarly. Download and install the app of your choice. For this example, let’s assume you’ve chosen Gboard.
Enable the Keyboard: Once the app is installed, open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad.
Go to Keyboard Settings: Navigate to “General,” then tap “Keyboard,” and then tap “Keyboards.”
Add New Keyboard: Tap “Add New Keyboard…”
Select the App: Find the keyboard app you downloaded (e.g., Gboard) in the list and tap it to add it to your keyboard list.
Allow Full Access (Optional): You may be prompted to “Allow Full Access” for the keyboard. This permission allows the keyboard to access additional features, such as learning your typing patterns and suggesting predictions. Whether you grant this permission is up to you, but it’s not strictly necessary for using symbols.
Switch to the Keyboard: When you’re in a text field, tap the globe icon (🌐) on the bottom-left corner of your keyboard. This will cycle through the keyboards you have installed. Keep tapping until you see the keyboard you added (e.g., Gboard).
Find the Heart Symbol: Once you’re using the third-party keyboard, look for a symbols or emoji section. Gboard, for example, has a dedicated emoji button (😊) that you can tap to access a wide range of emojis and symbols, including hearts. Other keyboards may have a “Symbols” button or a similar way to access special characters.
Insert the Heart Symbol: Tap the heart symbol to insert it into your text field. You can switch back to your default keyboard by tapping the globe icon again.

Pros of Using a Third-Party Keyboard

Wide Range of Symbols: Access to a variety of symbols and emojis, not just hearts.
Customization Options: Many apps allow you to customize the keyboard layout and themes.
Additional Features: Some keyboards offer features like gesture typing, autocorrect, and multilingual support.

Cons of Using a Third-Party Keyboard

Requires App Installation: You need to download and install a separate app.
Setup Process: There are several steps involved in enabling and setting up the keyboard.
Privacy Concerns: Some users may be wary of granting full access to third-party keyboards.

Method 4: Using Character Viewer (iPad Only)

If you’re using an iPad, there’s another handy method for inserting heart symbols: the Character Viewer. This feature is built into iPadOS and provides access to a vast library of characters and symbols, including various heart symbols. It’s a bit like having a built-in symbol encyclopedia right at your fingertips. Here’s how to use the Character Viewer on your iPad:

Open a Text Field: Start by opening any app where you can type text, such as Notes, Mail, or Messages.
Access the Emoji Keyboard: Tap the emoji button (😊) on the keyboard. This will bring up the emoji keyboard.
Open the Character Viewer: In the bottom-left corner of the emoji keyboard, you should see a small icon that looks like a grid or a globe (depending on your settings). Tap and hold this icon until a pop-up menu appears.
Select “Symbols” or “Character Viewer”: In the pop-up menu, select “Symbols” or “Character Viewer.” This will open the Character Viewer, which displays a wide array of characters and symbols.
Find the Heart Symbol: You can scroll through the categories on the left side of the Character Viewer to find the “Symbols” category, or you can use the search bar at the top to search for “heart.”
Insert the Symbol: Once you’ve found a heart symbol you like, tap it to insert it into your text field. You can insert multiple heart symbols or switch to other symbols as needed.
Close the Character Viewer: When you’re done, tap the “Close” button (usually an “X” or a keyboard icon) to return to the regular keyboard.

The Character Viewer is a fantastic tool for finding not just heart symbols, but also all sorts of other special characters and symbols that you might not find on a standard keyboard. It’s especially useful for languages that use non-Latin characters or for adding unique symbols to your documents and messages.

Pros of Using Character Viewer

Built-In Feature: No need to download any additional apps.
Wide Range of Symbols: Access to a vast library of characters and symbols.
Easy to Use: The interface is intuitive and straightforward.

Cons of Using Character Viewer

iPad Only: This method is only available on iPads.
Multiple Steps: It takes a few steps to access the Character Viewer.
Not as Fast as Text Replacement: It’s not as quick as using a text replacement shortcut.

Conclusion: Spreading the Love with Heart Symbols

So, there you have it! Four easy methods to make a heart symbol on your iPhone or iPad. Whether you prefer the simplicity of copy-pasting, the convenience of Text Replacement, the versatility of a third-party keyboard, or the comprehensive Character Viewer on your iPad, there’s a method that will suit your needs. Adding heart symbols to your messages is a great way to express your emotions and add a personal touch to your digital communication. Go ahead, spread the love and make your messages a little more heartfelt! Try out these methods and see which one works best for you. Happy heart-symboling, guys! Remember, a little heart can go a long way in making someone's day.