Emoji search improvements

[maruuk]

This probably shouldn't be in the form of separate issues, as it concerns a single feature. If not, I'll open one for each.

1. Ability to select multiple emojis at once.
2. Reset after closing search. Currently, recently searched emojis are displayed when opening search.
3. Pressing enter displays more search results, like in Gboard.
4. A circular background for the close search button. I think it would be really cool and fit the HeliBoard style. Helium doesn't seem to mind this change Add emoji search #1765 (comment).
5. Hide the emoji button during search. Currently, accidentally tapping it closes the search. Or see point 10.
6. More precise search. Now also shows emojis unrelated to the search term.
7. Sometimes the selected emoji doesn't get typed in. I even tried adding an emoji to this comment via search a moment ago, but nothing happened.

Less important

8. Slightly larger font on the search bar. The current one isn't a problem for me, but it might be too small for some. Gboard and FUTO have larger ones, if I remember correctly.
9. Switching to the keyboard view instead of the emoji after selecting an emoji or closing search. It will speed up typing.
10. A suggestion bar. It would be useful, but I'm not sure if it would ruin the look. Although Gboard does have it, and it looks nice. The suggestion bar would also move search up, which could allow us to display the emoji view and switch between different views without closing search.

[eranl]

7. Sometimes the selected emoji doesn't get typed in. I even tried adding an emoji to this comment via search a moment ago, but nothing happened.

This bug deserves a separate issue.

Can you please try with #2326, and upload the log?

[maruuk]

Actually, it seems to only happen in my browser. I checked Firefox, and it works there. I remember it happening on Discord too, but it doesn't happen anymore. If I see it again, I'll let you know. I also tried your fix, but it didn't help.

HeliBoard_debug_log_2026-02-27_14-17-23.txt

[eranl]

My change just added logging. Thanks for testing. Can you tell me at what time the bug was reproduced? I couldn't find anything suspicious in the log.

[maruuk]

At 2:17 PM. I saved the log right after the bug occurred. I randomly selected 🐅, the search closed, and the emoji wasn't entered.

[eranl]

Thanks. Made a minor change to #2326. Can you please test again?

[maruuk]

I tested and unfortunately it doesn't work. Maybe my browser is bugged. For example, in Google Translate, selecting an emoji from the search results selects and deletes all text.

HeliBoard_debug_log_2026-02-27_18-50-25.txt

[RHJihan]

+1 for point 9: Switching to the keyboard view instead of the emoji after selecting an emoji or closing search. It will speed up typing.

[ih8ms]

+1 for 2.

[ih8ms]

I'd like to add one to the list: multi language emoji search. I am using two languages and have dictionaries installed. For typing suggestions it works just fine. However, it didn't work for me for the Emoji, it seemed to search in the primary language only.

As I search for Emoji mostly in the secondary language, I now have installed the secondary language Emoji dict as the primary language. Works, but isn't nice.