How to Use and Equip Emotes in PUBG Mobile

To use an emote in PUBG Mobile, open the emote wheel from the lobby or match interface and tap the equipped animation. To change which emotes appear on the wheel, open Inventory, find the emote or appearance section, and assign unlocked emotes to the available slots. The exact icons have moved across updates, so the screenshots below are a visual reference rather than a pixel-perfect current layout.

Use an equipped emote

Look for the face or character-expression icon on the main interface. In a match, open it only when the character is in a safe position.

The wheel or list shows the emotes currently assigned to your quick-access slots. Select one to play it.

The character begins the animation immediately. Moving, aiming, or performing another action may interrupt it.

Equip or replace emotes

1. Return to the lobby and open Inventory.
2. Open the appearance, character, or emote category shown in the current version.
3. Select an unlocked emote.
4. Choose an emote-wheel slot to assign or replace.
5. Save or confirm if the interface provides a confirmation button.

Older versions marked equipped emotes with a colored corner:

If the emote is unlocked but does not appear during a match, remove it from the slot, assign it again, and restart the game. Also check whether the animation is restricted to the lobby, a companion, a vehicle, or a specific context.

How emotes are unlocked

Emotes can appear in Royale Pass rewards, limited events, achievements, crates, bundles, or the shop. Availability and cost change over time. Read the reward description carefully because some cosmetics are temporary, tied to a particular outfit, or available only during an event.

• Claim earned rewards before an event or pass expires.
• Preview an animation before spending UC when the game offers a preview.
• Buy only through the in-game store or an approved PUBG Mobile payment channel.
• Avoid websites promising every emote, free UC, or modified cosmetic files.

Use emotes without giving away a match

Emotes are cosmetic and do not improve movement, damage, or armor. During a live match they can lock the character into an animation, create sound, or draw attention. Use them in the spawn area, after reaching secure cover, or with teammates when no enemy has a clear angle.

Do not emote during a revive, while holding the final circle edge, or after exposing the squad's position. Cancel the animation and move if shots or footsteps are detected.

GameLoop controls

Old Tencent Gaming Buddy builds used a preset function key to open the emote menu. Current GameLoop mappings can differ. Check the control overlay, open the key-mapping panel, and assign the emote button to a convenient unused key instead of assuming the historical shortcut still works.

If the mouse cannot select the wheel correctly, reset the smart key map and test it in the lobby. The guide to fixing PUBG Mobile controls in GameLoop explains how to restore mouse capture and mapping.

Emotes versus character appearance

Emotes control animations, while outfits, face, hair, and other cosmetic slots change the character's appearance. They may be managed from nearby inventory tabs but are not the same feature. For those settings, see how to change a PUBG Mobile character's appearance.

Once the desired emotes are assigned, the practical routine is simple: open the wheel, choose an animation, and cancel it whenever gameplay requires movement. Treat emotes as social cosmetics, not a reason to remain exposed.