What Does the OBJ () Emoji Mean?

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

While browsing Facebook, Snapchat, or other social media, you may have come across a dashed box with the capital letters OBJ inside and wondered what exactly it was. Is it a new emoji, slang, or a glitch? In this article, we’ll take a look at what exactly this symbol is, why it pops up, and how to change it. Read on to learn more about OBJ ()!

What OBJ Means in Text

OBJ () is a Unicode replacement character that appears when an emoji isn't recognized. Unicode, a code converter used by computers, might show an OBJ error when the system is outdated, new emojis have been created, data has been corrupted, or if iPhone's voice-to-text feature has glitched.

Section 1 of 3:

What is the OBJ () emoji?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    OBJ () is not an emoji itself, but rather a replacement character found in the Unicode system. Used by most computers, Unicode maps letters and symbols, including emojis, to short lines of code. This way, characters can be represented from device to device, in different fonts, and in different applications with few errors. [1]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Although Unicode covers thousands of characters, it still has gaps, especially when it comes to the frequently updated emoji keyboard. When Unicode can’t recognize an object, your phone or computer will return the object replacement character: OBJ (). [2]
    3. Advertisement


Section 2 of 3:

Why are you seeing an OBJ () character error?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Respond-to-a-Heart-Emoji-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Respond-to-a-Heart-Emoji-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Respond-to-a-Heart-Emoji-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Respond-to-a-Heart-Emoji-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Most devices use more recent versions of Unicode. However, some apps may be behind on updates and not support characters added later. On the other hand, some software may create their own characters outside of Unicode or not use Unicode entirely, which will also return the OBJ () error on incompatible devices. [3]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    New emojis may be added before you get the proper Unicode updates. If you suddenly see more replacement characters where you think emojis should be, there has likely been an update added to keyboards everywhere. [4]
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    iPhones use a speech recognizer tool that turns bites of speech into objects before changing them to text. Sometimes, this tool is not completely compatible with other software, which may see the speech objects but not know what word or letter to match them with. As a result, it returns the OBJ () placeholder instead. [5]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Sometimes when documents are transferred, data becomes corrupted and can’t be read. The unreadable symbols will be shown with replacement characters. [6]
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

How to Fix the OBJ () Character Error

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Most likely, the software your phone or computer runs on has just gotten a little outdated. Go to your settings and check for system updates. Once all downloaded, you can browse OBJ () free. [7]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If OBJ () characters are only showing up in one application, that app may be behind on updates or experiencing a temporary glitch. Head to the App Store, the Google Play Store, or the application website and check for updates. If available, install the latest development.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Because so much communication these days happens on the internet, keeping your computer’s browser up to date is important. If you start to notice OBJ () errors while you browse, check for and install updates when necessary.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-What-Does-the-Obj-Emoji-Mean-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Some devices don’t come with compatible emoji keyboards. If you find yourself in this situation, search for an app with an emoji library you can then install and use on your phone or computer. The correct library will let you see what emoji people send you and let you send your own. [8]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      What Emojis Mean Sex?
      What Does the 🤍 White Heart Emoji Mean?
      The Top Emojis Guys Use when They Like or Love You
      The Top Emojis a Girl Will Use if She Likes You
      What Do All the Different Hand Emojis Mean?
      What XD Really Means in the Digital World
      What Does the 💚 Green Heart Emoji Mean?
      What Does the 🩵 (Light Blue Heart) Emoji Mean?
      What Does the Melted Face Emoji 🫠 Mean?
      What Does the 🙌🙏 Two Hands Emoji Mean?
      What Does the 🥰 Smiling Face with Hearts Emoji Mean?
      What Does the 😘💋 Kiss Emoji Mean?
      What Does the 🤗 (Hugging Face) Emoji Mean?
      How to Use & Reply to the 🤌 Italian Hand Emoji
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://unicode.org/standard/WhatIsUnicode.html
      2. ↑ https://unicode-explorer.com/c/FFFC
      3. ↑ https://www.w3.org/International/articles/missing-char-glyph/index.en
      4. ↑ https://gizmodo.com/why-other-people-cant-see-your-emojis-and-how-to-fix-it-1820037259
      5. ↑ https://developer.apple.com/documentation/speech/sfspeechrecognizer
      6. ↑ https://techcolleague.com/what-does-obj-mean-in-text/
      7. ↑ https://techcolleague.com/what-does-obj-mean-in-text/
      8. ↑ https://techcolleague.com/what-does-obj-mean-in-text/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 203,718 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement