mattermost / mattermost/desktop
[Bug]: Unicode emojis not displaying
Nobody has claimed this yet.
- Dominant language
- TypeScript
- Stars
- 2.3k
- Forks
- 980
- Avg merge
- 1d 5h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 30
Description
### Checks before filing an issue
- [x] This issue doesn't reproduce on web browsers (such as in Chrome). If it does, [issue reports go to the Mattermost Server repository](https://github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/issues).
- [x] I have checked the [issue tracker](https://github.com/mattermost/desktop/issues) and have not found an issue that matches the one I'm filing. This should include closed issues.
- [x] This issue is not a troubleshooting question. Troubleshooting questions go here: https://forum.mattermost.com/c/trouble-shoot/16.
- [x] This issue is not a feature request. You can request features and make product suggestions here: https://mattermost.com/suggestions/.
- [x] This issue reproduces on the most recent [stable version](https://github.com/mattermost/desktop/releases/latest), or the most recent [prerelease version](https://github.com/mattermost/desktop/releases) of the Mattermost Desktop App.
- [x] I have read the [contribution guidelines](https://github.com/mattermost/desktop/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md).
### Mattermost Desktop Version
6.0.0
### Operating System
Windows 11 x64
### Mattermost Server Version
10.5.14
### Steps to reproduce
Send a message using a Unicode emoji e.g. 🫠
### Expected behavior
See the Unicode emoji displayed properly
### Observed behavior
A rectangular box is displayed instead
### Log Output
```shell
[2025-11-14 07:53:44.763] [info] [UpdateManager] Downloaded version 6.0.0
[2025-11-14 07:53:49.101] [info] [UpdateManager] Install on explicit quitAndInstall
[2025-11-14 07:53:49.101] [info] [UpdateManager] Install: isSilent: false, isForceRunAfter: true
[2025-11-14 07:53:49.101] [info] [UpdateManager] Executing: C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Local\mattermost-desktop-updater\pending\mattermost-desktop-setup-6.0.0-win.exe with args: --updated,--force-run
[2025-11-14 07:53:49.747] [info] [UpdateManager] Install on explicit quitAndInstall
[2025-11-14 07:53:49.747] [warn] [UpdateManager] install call ignored: quitAndInstallCalled is set to true
[2025-11-14 07:53:49.762] [info] [UpdateManager] Auto install update on quit
[2025-11-14 07:53:49.762] [info] [UpdateManager] Install: isSilent: true, isForceRunAfter: false
[2025-11-14 07:53:49.762] [info] [UpdateManager] Executing: C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Local\mattermost-desktop-updater\pending\mattermost-desktop-setup-6.0.0-win.exe with args: --updated,/S
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.241] [error] Logger Log level set to: { level: 'info' }
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.382] [info] [Config] Configuration updated to version 4 successfully.
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.429] [warn] [Config] Failed to load configuration file from the filesystem. Using defaults.
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.479] [info] [App.Config] config.autostart has been configured: { autostart: true }
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.479] [info] [App.Config] config.autostart has been configured: { autostart: true }
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.487] [info] [SecureStorage] Secure storage initialized - encryption available
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.495] [info] [SecureStorage] Initialized secure storage cache
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.546] [info] [ServerDropdownView] init
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.556] [info] [App.Initialize] Autoupgrade disabled: true
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.635] [warn] [i18nManager] Failed to set new language { locale: 'en-US' }
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.635] [warn] [i18nManager] Failed to set new language { locale: 'US' }
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.715] [info] [App.Config] config.autostart has been configured: { autostart: true }
[2025-11-14 07:53:55.755] [error] [App.Utils] clearAppCache { err: 'TypeError: Object has been destroyed' }
[2025-11-14 07:53:56.054] [info] [ModalView] [welcomeScreen] preloading with C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Local\Programs\mattermost-desktop\resources\app.asar\internalAPI.js
[2025-11-14 07:53:56.178] [error] [WebContentsEventM...] [renderer] Uncaught (in promise) TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'sidebarBg')
[2025-11-14 07:54:07.833] [info] [App.Config] config.autostart has been configured: { autostart: true }
[2025-11-16 10:29:04.382] [info] [WebContentsEventM...] [ea14f88a-2694-491...] [402e85bf-568d-41e...] https://mattermost.web.cern.ch/
[2025-11-17 17:58:38.339] [info] [App.Config] config.autostart has been configured: { autostart: true }
```
### Additional Information
This only occurs on the desktop app and only after updating to 6.0.0. The web app still renders Unicode fine.
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start by reproducing the issue on Windows 11 with Mattermost Desktop 6.0.0, comparing the desktop and web app rendering of 🫠. Trace the desktop renderer and its emoji or font handling to identify where the box appears; done means Unicode emojis display correctly in the desktop app without breaking existing message rendering.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- electron, typescript
- Domain
- desktop, frontend
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 38/100