I would like to use Apple's built-in emoji characters (specifically, several of the smileys, e.g. \ue415)
in a UILabel
but I would like the emojis to be rendered in grayscale.
I want them to remain characters in the UILabel
(either plain text or attributed is fine). I'm not looking for a hybrid image / string solution (which I already have).
Does anyone know how to accomplish this?
I know you said you aren't looking for a "hybrid image solution", but I have been chasing this dragon for a while and the best result I could come up with IS a hybrid. Just in case my solution is somehow more helpful on your journey, I am including it here. Good luck!
import UIKit
import QuartzCore
class ViewController: UIViewController {
override func viewDidLoad() {
super.viewDidLoad()
// the target label to apply the effect to
let label = UILabel(frame: view.frame)
// create label text with empji
label.text = "