Option to NOT convert text emoticons to images is no longer available in the Writing Settings if your database version is greater (or equal to) 32453

[Geek Goddess]

Previously, there was an option to UNtick the checkbox that was checked by default to convert text emoticons to images. This option was in Settings -> Writing -> Formatting. The entire "Formatting" section no longer exists IF you have a database version greater than or equal to 32453.

Because of this, there is no normal way to stop emoticons from being converted automatically to images since this is turned ON by default.

A workaround is to go to /wp-admin/options.php and change the "use_smilies" setting to either zero or simply blank, then save the settings (as I've answered in several support threads).

I'm guessing this was because of the new emoji support, but the ability to NOT display images for text emoticons is still needed as an option in the settings.

[dd32]

You still have the ability to change it via the hiddens options.php screen like you've noted, or via a plugin.

I don't think we need to / should re-enable any UI for this though, it's an integral part of WordPress publishing and disabling it is going to be done by a small minority - Decisions, Not Options being a WordPress motto.

[SergeyBiryukov]

Hi Geek Goddess, welcome to Trac!

The option was intentionally hidden in [32454], see #32298.

It can be disabled with a single line in a plugin or in a child theme:

add_filter( 'option_use_smilies', '__return_false' );

[Geek Goddess]

Thanks for the quick response, guys! I have a plugin I wrote that does various little things I like for all my sites, so I'll probably just add that into it.

Appreciate it!