How to emote in Overwatch 2?

Communication is key in online multiplayer games, especially those of a competitive nature. Overwatch 2 is an example of a game that players must work together in order to ensure they can actually win matches. While asking everyone to use voice chat is unrealistic, emotes and the communication wheel are the next best thing.

Emoting in Overwatch 2 is a fun way for players to show off their heroes’ personalities. Fortunately, equipping these emotes is fairly straightforward, and knowing how to use them can let you do things like say sorry. Customizing the communication wheel is also a good way to communicate with teammates.

Here’s how you can emote in Overwatch 2 ^[1] to say sorry to your teammates or deliver any other non-verbal message.

How to equip emotes in Overwatch 2?

Emotes in Overwatch 2 are a fun way to show off a hero’s personality and connect with the team. Using them in a match is simple. To use one, open your communication wheel (on PC, press C by default, and on console, press down on the D-pad) to show up to four emotes you have equipped. From there, move your mouse or analog stick to the one you want, click to confirm, and your hero will play it.

Every hero starts with a default Heroic emote, but you can grow your collection through the Hero Gallery, Battle Pass, or the in-game shop with Coins or Credits. Equipping them is quick, too:

1. Go to the Hero Gallery from the main menu
2. Select the hero you want
3. Open the Emotes tab
4. Pick an emote and assign it to one of the four wheel slots.

Once set, your emotes are ready whenever you need them. You can mix and match dances, sits, laughs, whatever fits your vibe. The good thing is that since every hero has their own set of emotes, you can customize it to match their personality.

How to say sorry in Overwatch 2?

While emotes are fun, sometimes you might miss a heal or leave a teammate in a bad spot by accident. Thankfully, Overwatch 2 makes it easy to apologize with the Sorry prompt on the communication wheel. Here is how to use it:

1. Open the communication wheel (C on PC, down on the D-pad on console)
2. Select the Sorry option

Your hero will then apologize with character-specific dialogue based on their personality. It’s a small gesture, but it helps smooth things out and keeps the team focused. And when paired with other prompts in your wheel, it can even add a useful tactical edge to your gameplay.

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How to customize the communication wheel in Overwatch 2?

Since the Sorry prompt is just one option on the wheel, it's worth looking at how the entire communication system works. Unlike the emote wheel, the communication wheel is your go-to tool for sharing information with your team when you aren't using voice chat. It can hold up to 8 prompts, which you can choose from a big pool of 26 options. Here is how to set it up:

1. Head to Options > Controls > Communication
2. Scroll down to the communication wheel slots
3. Pick which prompts go in each of the eight slots

With only 8 slots to work with, it's best to balance team-focused prompts with some personal flavor. Most players find these options especially useful: 

• Group Up
• Need Healing 
• Ultimate Status
• On My Way 
• Fall Back / Defend / Push Forward 
• Thanks 
• Sorry 
• Hello

Try to avoid loading your wheel with emotes or voice lines, as those already have their own wheel and will waste space. A good communication wheel can make you way more effective, especially in solo queue, where not everyone talks. It's a small setup that adds much-needed clarity in the middle of a match.

FAQs

How do you equip emotes in Overwatch 2?

To equip emotes, head to the Hero Gallery, select a hero, open the Emotes tab, and assign up to four emotes to your emote wheel. Once set, you can access them in-game through the communication wheel.

Can you get new emotes in Overwatch 2 without paying?

Yes. While many emotes are available in the shop with Coins or Credits, you can also unlock them through the Battle Pass or event rewards. Every hero starts with the default Heroic emote for free.

How do you use the “Sorry” prompt in Overwatch 2?

Open the communication wheel (C on PC or down on the D-pad on console), select “Sorry,” and your hero will play an apology voice line. The dialogue varies depending on the hero you’re playing.

References

1. [1] "Official OW2 website". overwatch.blizzard.com. Retrieved August 25, 2025