Customize the “is typing…” message that appears when you're the only one typing, with your own emoji and status word.
What this article covers:
Custom Typing Indicator: What Is It?
“Is typing…” is the default message you see when someone's composing a message. With Custom Typing Indicator, you can replace that default message with your own 3 emojis and status word whenever you're the only person typing.
Currently available on mobile only, this appears anywhere you can chat on Discord, including direct messages, text channels, forum channels, and voice channel chats.
There are three parts you can customize:
- Emoji: Select 3 unique emoji that you already have access to.
- Animation: Choose an animation style: Pulse, Ring, or Wave, or select None to turn animation off.
- Status: Pick a status word from a preset list to replace "typing," like "is yapping…" or "is daydreaming…"
Example of a Customized Typing Indicator
How to Customize Your Typing Indicator
Settings
1. Tap the You Bar and select Settings.
2. Scroll to App Settings and tap Typing Indicator.
Navigating from Settings to Typing Indicator
3. Select an emoji slot to open the emoji picker. Selecting your first emoji fills all 3 emoji slots at once, so you always start with a complete set. You can then select each slot again to swap in different emoji.
4. Select Animation to open the motion sheet and choose a style (screen name and options not yet locked).
5. Select Text to open the status word list and choose from our options of preset status words to replace “typing”.
6. Once you've made a change, select Apply to save your customized typing indicator.
Customizing Your Typing Indicator in Settings
Tip: Can't decide on a combo? Select Surprise Me and let Discord mix up your emoji, animation, and status word for you. It's a great way to discover a combo you wouldn't have picked yourself! Not feeling the result? Tap Reset to clear your selections and start over.
Customizing Your Typing Indicator Using Surprise Me and Reset
Profile
1. Tap the You Bar and select Edit Profile.
2. Tap Typing Indicator.
Navigating from Your Profile to Typing Indicator
3. Select your emoji, animation, and text, then Apply to save your customized typing indicator.
Customizing Your Typing Indicator from your Profile
Tip: Tapping on someone else's Custom Typing Indicator opens the same bottom sheet you'd use to set up your own. It can be used as a quick shortcut to jump straight into customizing yours by tapping Check it Out.
This only works if you're able to edit your typing indicator; some users can only view others' custom indicators at this time.
In-app Sheet for Custom Typing Indicator
Nitro vs. Non-Nitro Access
- Nitro members: Can fully customize and save their typing indicator, including emoji, animation, and status word. This feature is not available for Nitro Basic.
- Non-Nitro members: Can preview the customization options but need a Nitro subscription to save and use them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Custom Typing Indicator do?
A: It lets you replace the default “is typing…” message with up to 3 custom emoji, a motion style, and an alternative verb, whenever you're the only person typing in a conversation.
Q: Can I turn off the custom typing indicator?
A: There isn't a way to disable the custom typing indicator. If you'd like to reduce the intensity of its animation, you can turn on Reduced Motion in User Settings > Accessibility, which minimizes motion effects across Discord.
Q: What happens if more than one person is typing at the same time?
A: Everyone's typing indicator returns to the default “is typing…” message until only one person is typing again.
Q: Do I need Nitro to use this feature?
A: You need a Nitro subscription to save and use a custom typing indicator. This feature is not available for Nitro Basic. Non-Nitro members can preview the customization options, but can't save or apply them.
Q: Where can I set up my custom typing indicator?
A: As part of this experiment, you'll be able to set it up from either Settings or your Profile, but you'll only see one of the two. This experiment is currently mobile only.
Q: Will everyone see my custom typing indicator the same way?
A: Not always. If a server has the Use External Emoji permission turned off, other members in that server will see the default "…" in place of your custom emoji, but they'll still see your custom status word.
Q: Where does my custom typing indicator show up?
A: It shows up for others anytime you are typing on Discord, including direct messages, text channels, forum channels, and voice channel chats. It only appears if you are the only person typing.
Q: Is this feature available to everyone?
A: Not yet. This is currently an experiment and only available to a limited number of Nitro subscribers on mobile.
Q: Can I choose any word for my status?
A: You'll choose from a preset list of status words rather than writing your own. The current options are: is yapping…, is venting…, is oversharing…, is barking…, is babbling…, is daydreaming…, and is meowing….
Q: Is there a quick way to try different combinations?
A: Yes. Select Surprise Me to get a random combination of emoji, animation, and status word.
Q: Can I set a different typing indicator for each server?
A: No. Your custom typing indicator applies everywhere you chat on Discord and can't be set on a per-server basis.
Q: What happens if I tap on someone else's custom typing indicator?
A: If you're able to edit your own typing indicator, tapping on someone else's opens the same bottom sheet used to customize yours, so you can quickly set one up for yourself. If you can't edit your typing indicator, tapping won't open this shortcut.