A client device processing received emoji messages using emoji-first messaging. Text messaging is automatically converted to emojis by an emoji-first application so that only emojis are communicated from one client device to another client device. Each client device has a library of emojis that are mapped to words, which libraries are customizable and unique to the users of the client devices, such that the users can communicate secretly in code. Upon receipt of a string of emojis, a user can select the emoji string to convert to text if desired, for a predetermined period of time.