What does ๐ Key mean?
A key. It stands for access, unlocking, passwords, homes and security, as in getting the keys to a new apartment or car. In slang, โkeyโ means essential or important, and โmajor keyโ became a catchphrase thanks to DJ Khaledโs social media posts. People also use it for the key to success or the solution to a problem. Compare ๐๏ธ, the antique key.
๐ Key is an emoji from the Objects category (locks & keys), added in Emoji 0.6 in 2010. People use it in messages about keys, lock, major, password and unlock.
Example messages
๐ Key on Apple, Google, Microsoft & more
The code is the same everywhere, but every company draws its own artwork. This is how Key looks on each platform.
More locks & keys emojis
See all 6 โCollections with ๐
Key emoji: questions & answers
How do I copy and paste the Key emoji?
Press the Copy button at the top of this page and ๐ is copied to your clipboard. Then paste it anywhere with Ctrl+V, Cmd+V or a long press on your phone. In Slack, Discord and GitHub you can also type the shortcode :key:.
When was the Key emoji added?
๐ Key was added in Emoji 0.6, released in 2010. It is supported on all current versions of iOS, Android, Windows and macOS.
Why does ๐ look different on my phone?
Every platform draws its own artwork for Key. The underlying code (U+1F511) is the same everywhere, so the person you send it to always gets the same emoji, just in their deviceโs style. Compare the designs in the platform section above.