Method 1: Use Emoji on OS X Yosemite with keyboard shortcut
Step 1: Open a text editing software or place your cursor in a text field where you’d like to insert an Emoji.
Step 2: Press the Command (⌘) + Ctrl + Spacebar combination keys.
Step 3: A pop-up appears next to the cursor displaying a collection of Emojis you can choose from.
Step 4: Emojis are divided into different categories which can be accessed from the tabs available below the Emoji palette.
Step 5: Once you’ve located your Emoji, simply click on it to insert it into the text field where the typing cursor is located.
To insert another Emoji, you have to use the combination keys again (Command ⌘ + Alt + Spacebar) to view the Emoji palette.
Method 2: Access Emoji from menu bar
The second method involves adding the Characters palette option to the menu bar and accessing Emojis directly from there.
Step 1: Click on the Apple logo located in the left corner of the menu bar and open System Preferences.
Step 2: Click on Keyboard.
Step 3: The keyboard system preferences is displayed. While you’re in the Keyboard tab, tick the option that reads ‘Show Keyboard and Character Viewers in menu bar’
Step 4: You should now see a new icon in the menu bar as shown in the screenshot. Press the icon and click ‘Show Character Viewer’.
Step 5: The Characters palette is opened with a list of different categories available on the sidebar. Click on Emoji.
Step 6: To insert an Emoji, simply double-click on it and it will be inserted into the text field where you’re typing.
How to use different Emoji skin tones
If your Mac is running OS X 10.10.3 or higher, you can also use a different skin tone Emoji. Once the Emoji palette is open, simply click and hold on an Emoji to open the skin tone options. Choose the skin tone that you’d like to use and it will become the default skin tone for the selected Emoji. Keep in mind that skin tone options are available for a few Emojis only. Family and group people Emojis are currently available in yellow color only.
If you own a Mac that supports Force Touch trackpad, you can tap harder on an Emoji for the skin tone options to appear. Double clicking it will input the Emoji into the text field.