Signal-android: Emoji picker missing search button

[cobordism]

Let's begin with a checklist: Replace the empty checkboxes [ ] below with checked ones [x] accordingly. -->

• [x] I have searched open and closed issues for duplicates
• [x] I am submitting a bug report for existing functionality that does not work as intended
• [x] I have read https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/wiki/Submitting-useful-bug-reports
• [x] This isn't a feature request or a discussion topic

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Bug description

On the android app, the emoji picker is lacking the (magnifying-glass) search tab that make it easy to find emoji

Steps to reproduce

I use a google free android like e.foundation.
I installed Signal App 4.71.5 (7082)
I start typing a message, I select emoji, I have to scroll through all emoji searching for the one I want.
The little search tab that I have on the signal desktop app is missing in the android app.
No typing on the keyboard brings up any emoji selection. The only way to select an emoji is to scroll through all of them and search visually.

Actual result: The search tab is missing on the android app and there is no way to search for emoji by text.
Expected result: I either expect there to be a search tab (like in the desktop app) or for emoji to be suggested as I type. However neither is the case.

Screenshots

Device info

Device: Fairphone FP3
Android version: 9 (/e/ version 0.11-p.2020083170821-stable-FP3 )
Signal version: 4.71.5 (7082)

[cobordism]

The desktop app by comparison:

Note the search tab (top left). This is what is missing on the android app.

[Nisc3d]

There is no emoji search on Signal for Android, so that is not a bug, but a feature request and should be discussed on the forum here: https://community.signalusers.org/t/emoji-search-in-emoji-picker/17002

[cobordism]

How is it not a bug? the button (that I know is there because I can see it on the desktop) is not showing and not clickable on the phone.
Unless you are saying that it is deliberately so and they want all phone users to have to manually scroll through all emoji.. but that would make no sense whatsoever.

[Nisc3d]

Yes there is this button on the desktop, but it is not there on the phone, because it doesn't exist for everyone. I think not, that they deliberately want that all phone users scroll through all emoji, but they just prioritize some new features over others. As a workaround you can use a keyboard with emoji search.

[cobordism]

Ok.I suppose I could do that.
Which keyboard should I install?
Note: I have no google account so please don’t suggest an app that is only in the google store.

Further question:
Will your keyboard work with all the languages I have set up? The spelling checkers? Because ideally I do not want to have to set everything up again if I can avoid it.

[condemnedmeat]

Ok.I suppose I could do that.
Which keyboard should I install?
Note: I have no google account so please don’t suggest an app that is only in the google store.

Further question:
Will your keyboard work with all the languages I have set up? The spelling checkers? Because ideally I do not want to have to set everything up again if I can avoid it.

I have searched on your behalf cobordism.

I believe this :arrow_down:, is compatible with your wish list.

As you can see, it is very practical. I guarantee you will stand out, using this keyboard.

My friend, whose first language is emoji, uses this keyboard. He is not allowed out unsupervised.

I should note that my research has led me to believe my phone cannot install this keyboard :disappointed:, so I cannot be sure it will work on your phone. Try adb install physical_emoji_keyboard.apk before opening an issue would be my advice. I look forward to an update on your efforts.

I won't be upset though if you decide to instead look around for yourself. Good-luck! :+1: