iOS 8.3 added a number of new emoji. However, it did not officially added the expected Vulcan salute as see on the numerous Star Trek television episodes and movies. Luckily, there is an easy way to work around this and use the Vulcan salute in your messages and emails.
First, view this tweet on your iOS device: https://twitter.com/MacTrast/status/586614567373004800
Now, tap on the Vulcan emoticon my tapping and holding, and then tap “Copy.”
What we’ll do now is create a keyboard shortcut you can use in almost any iOS app that allows you to enter text. Likely, you’ll use this mostly in text messages, emails, and social networks.
Go to: “Settings” -> “General” -> “Keyboard” -> Shortcuts.” This is where we’ll add a keyboard shortcut to paste the Vulcan emoji in wherever we want to use it.
Tap the blue “+” button in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Now, tap and hold and select “Paste” in the “Phrase” field. This will paste the Vulcan emoji in the Phrase field.
Tap in the “Shortcut” field and enter the text you want to enter to enter the Vulcan emoji in your messages. We entered “vulsal” for “Vulcan Salute.” You can enter whatever is easy to remember for you, but it will need to be a shortcut phrase that hasn’t been used yet.
Press the blue “Save” button in the upper right hand corner. Now, whenever you want to enter the Vulcan “Live Long and Prosper” emoji, simply enter the shortcut on your iOS device’s keyboard, and the emoji will be included in your message.
One note, only iOS 8.3 and OS X 10.10.3 users will see the Vulcan emoji, other users will see a default character in its place.
