How to store emoji string in Database using Laravel with Orm Query

Question

I want to store special character in database vice versa like emotive but when I try to save in database I get question marks.

Answer 1

In your database.php file, make sure to set the charset and collation to utf8mb4:

'mysql' => [
            'driver'    => 'mysql',
            'host'      => env('DB_HOST', 'localhost'),
            'database'  => env('DB_DATABASE', 'forge'),
            'username'  => env('DB_USERNAME', 'forge'),
            'password'  => env('DB_PASSWORD', ''),
            'charset'   => 'utf8mb4',
            'collation' => 'utf8mb4_unicode_ci',

And your emoji column should be a String:

$table->string('emoji');

Answer 2

1) Ensure you're using MYSQL 5.5.3 or later then will you be able to change the collation to utf8mb4_something,

2) Ensure table columns that are going to receive emoji have their collation set to utf8mb4_something

if still you have issue, then Edit your database.php config file and update following,

    'charset' = 'utf8mb4';
'collation' = 'utf8mb4_unicode_ci'