WhatsApp isn't just an app for sending plain messages: it also allows apply format to the text and whatever you select, including emojis. Among those options is the crossed-out one, perfect for adding nuance, irony, or pointing out changes without needing to explain too much.
If you're wondering whether you can cross an emoji with a line in a chat, the answer is yes, and it's super easy. You don't need external apps or weird tricksWhatsApp itself offers two clear ways to achieve this, as we explain in our step by step guideAnd both work on both Android and iPhone. Furthermore, you can combine strikethrough with other styles such as bold, italic, or monospace.
Can you really cross out emojis on WhatsApp?
The strikethrough function crosses the selected content with a horizontal line, and that content can be a word, a complete phrase, or a single or chained emoji. WhatsApp applies the formatting to everything marked.So if you select an emoticon, it will be crossed out just like any other text character.
What's the point of crossing out an emoji? For example, when you want to express a joke, a correction, or an impossibility without deleting what came before: you can write something and cross out the emoji that no longer fits with what you want to say. It's a very visual way of conveying nuances of humor, regret or contradiction, something that in everyday chats can bring a lot of clarity with just a gesture.
Think of messages like: I just got paid and my account is now in the red. That contrast, even if you only cross out the money emoji, communicates a lot at a glance. The strikethrough gains strength when used intentionally: underlines what wasn't, corrects without erasing, and adds a touch of irony.
Furthermore, if you've already sent the message and regret it, you can edit it and add the strikethrough without having to resend anything. Post-editing allows you to adjust the format, as seen in our whatsapp tricks Regarding editing, also for emojis, always within the window that WhatsApp offers to modify sent messages.
In short: yes, you can cross out emojis; it's part of the app's native options and requires no special preparation. You just have to select the emoji or type it from the appropriate symbolsAnd WhatsApp will show it crossed out even before you press send.
Two quick ways to cross out: symbols or menu
WhatsApp lets you apply formatting in two ways: by writing specific symbols around the content or by using the context menu that appears when you select the text. Both methods work equally well for emojisand you can use whichever one is most comfortable for you at any given time.
1) Symbol method: the fastest way for users who type non-stop. Place a tilde before and after what you want to cross out.In practice, you would simply circle an emoji like this: ~~. If you want to cross several, don't put spaces inside: ~藍~. By doing so, WhatsApp will display them with the strikethrough line even before sending.
This method has several advantages: it works offline, you can apply it on the go, and it's compatible with other formats. The preview is immediateso you'll know instantly if you've spelled it right or if you've missed a symbol.
2) Menu method: perfect if you don't remember the symbols or prefer to tap and choose. Hold your finger on the emoji or text, move the markers until you cover exactly what you want, open the options, and choose Strikethrough. On Android you'll see the three dots for more options.On iPhone, the option appears in the format menu. And that's it: no mystery.
Both methods are interchangeable and you can even use them in the same message. If you're comfortable with symbols, you'll go faster.If you prefer safety, the menu guides you step by step. The important thing is that the result is the same: that emoji or phrase will be crossed out.
Step-by-step guide for Android and iPhone
The practical sequence is very similar in both systems. Below is the menu-driven procedure, ideal if you're a beginner. Just keep in mind that the names of the options may vary slightly. depending on the app and system version.
- Open WhatsApp and enter the chat where you're going to write.
- Write your message and add the emoji or emojis you want. Don't press send yet.
- Tap and hold on a word or emoji until it's selected. Drag the markers if you need to zoom in or adjust the selection.
- Tap the context menu. Many Android devices feature a button with three dots. To see more actions; on iPhone you will see a menu with the Format option.
- Choose Strikethrough. You'll see the crossed-out text or emoji immediately. You can combine other styles from the same menu. if you are interested.
- Check that you are happy with the result and press send.
Do you get along better with symbols? Try this: write your message and, when you want to strikethrough something, surround it with tildes. For example, ~hello~, ~~, ~ Project~. Avoid putting spaces right after the first tilde or before the second If you want the format to affect the entire block without cuts.
Useful tip: If you're going to cross out long sections, select them in parts using the menu so you don't get lost. Drag-and-drop selection allows you to precisely delimit areas. only the elements you want to cross, including groups with several words and several emojis mixed together.
Did you make a mistake after sending a message? WhatsApp lets you edit it for a limited time. Open the message, select Edit, and add tildes or strikethrough from the formatting menu. You don't need to delete or forwardThe change will appear for all chat participants.
In addition to strikethrough, that same menu also includes bold, italics, and monospace. You can apply these styles using symbols or the menu itself. Stylize your messages It gives you many options to highlight ideas or separate fragments.
Practical advice, limits and visual nuances
The strikethrough affects everything you've enclosed or selected: letters, numbers, symbols, and even emojis. However, there are a few details to keep in mind to ensure the result is perfect. I'll leave you with the most important ones. so that you're not caught off guard.
– Emoji sequences: Many faces and figures are made up of several internal pieces (skin tones, family combinations, or professions). If you enclose them all at once with tildes, the strikethrough applies to the entire sequence. If you leave gaps within a sequence, the effect can be broken. and only cross part of what you expected.
– Line aesthetics: the exact thickness and position of the stroke may vary slightly depending on Android, iPhone or WhatsApp version. This is normal, because each platform renders emojis differently.In any case, the emoji is perceived as crossed, which is what we're looking for.
– Mix styles: you can strikethrough and also use bold or italics. The order doesn't matter if you use the menu; if you use symbols, remember to close them in order to avoid surprises. Don't overdo it with too many styles at once. so as not to detract from the clarity of what you want to communicate.
– Real-time preview: When you write with symbols, WhatsApp transforms the formatting before sending. This helps you detect and correct mistakes instantly. If something doesn't look as you expected, check that there are no misplaced spaces. and that you have closed the block with the corresponding symbol.
– Monospace: This style uses a fixed width per character. When applied, it usually results in a more pronounced separation between letters. In strings with emojis, it may look slightly different from the normal font., although it works correctly and helps to highlight blocks of text such as code or references.
– Compatibility: the formats are viewed in WhatsApp for Android, iOS and also in WhatsApp Web / DesktopIf someone is using a very old version, it might not display the same way, but overall compatibility is broad. For the vast majority of users, the strikethrough will appear without problems..
Other formats that combine luxury with the crossed-out
In addition to combining text and emojis, WhatsApp lets you style your messages with bold, italics, and monospace. These styles help to structure your messages, highlight ideas, or distinguish sections, and you can apply them using symbols or the menu. Knowing them gives you a lot of flexibility. to write clearer and more expressive messages.
- Bold type: Place asterisks before and after the word or phrase. Example: *important*. Ideal for highlighting key information or instructions.
- ItalicsUse underscores at the beginning and end. Example: _additional information_. Useful for nuances or clarifications.
- Strikethrough: encloses in tildes. Example: ~no longer applies~. Perfect for corrections, irony, or discarded ideas (includes emojis).
- Monospaced: encloses the text with three backticks at the beginning and three at the end. It has a uniform width per character and adds a technical look. Very useful for passages where you want a Font different.
If you'd rather not remember symbols, the context menu solves everything: select, tap on Format and choose the style. You can apply a format, undo it, or combine several in a matter of seconds. without leaving the chat or installing anything else.
Frequently asked questions about crossing out emojis on WhatsApp
Can I delete just one emoji without affecting the rest of the text? Yes. Select only that emoji with a long press and adjust the markers to isolate it, or type it between tildes without including anything else. The strikethrough will only affect that element.
Why isn't the strikethrough appearing? This is usually due to two things: either you left a space incorrectly when using symbols, or you didn't select completely using the menu. Check that the opening and closing tilde are right next to the content and that the selection covers exactly what you want to cross out. The preview gives you an instant clue..
Can strikethrough be combined with bold or italics? Yes, no problem. It's straightforward through the menu, and with symbols too, as long as you open and close each style correctly. For example, you can highlight a word in bold and strikethrough it at the same time if you want to indicate a change or correction. Moderation is key to ensuring the message remains legible..
Does it work the same on Android, iPhone, and WhatsApp Web? The feature exists on all platforms. The difference lies in the menu's position and visual appearance, as each system renders letters and emojis with different fonts. The strikethrough effect, in any case, remains.
Can I cross out a message after sending it? Yes, during the editing time that WhatsApp allows. Open the message, tap Edit, and add formatting using the menu or symbols. There is no need to forward or copy the messageThe edition applies the change to the original.
What about composite emojis or skin tone emojis? If you circle them correctly, the strikethrough will be applied to the entire emoji, not just parts of it. Avoid inserting spaces within the sequence and enclose the entire string in tildes or select it completely from the menu. This ensures that the line crosses the entire pictogram..
Does monospace work for emojis? Yes, although the main visual effect of monospace is most noticeable in letters and numbers. If you want to highlight a block that includes emojis and technical text, it can be an option. Remember that monospace tends to visually separate characters more..
Using strikethrough wisely helps you communicate more and better in less space: correct without erasing, use irony subtly, and mark what is no longer relevant, even when it is a very expressive emoji. With the symbols and the formatting menu, you have everything you need. to master it in seconds.
