diff --git a/Modules/Panels/Launcher/Plugins/EmojiPlugin.qml b/Modules/Panels/Launcher/Plugins/EmojiPlugin.qml
index 07f038aa..12209416 100644
--- a/Modules/Panels/Launcher/Plugins/EmojiPlugin.qml
+++ b/Modules/Panels/Launcher/Plugins/EmojiPlugin.qml
@@ -50,6 +50,11 @@ Item {
     }
   }
 
+  function onOpened() {
+    // Always reset to "recent" category when opening
+    selectedCategory = "recent";
+  }
+
   // Check if this plugin handles the command
   function handleCommand(searchText) {
     return searchText.startsWith(">emoji");
diff --git a/Services/Keyboard/EmojiService.qml b/Services/Keyboard/EmojiService.qml
index e5fc8dcd..09f1dcb8 100644
--- a/Services/Keyboard/EmojiService.qml
+++ b/Services/Keyboard/EmojiService.qml
@@ -103,9 +103,8 @@ Singleton {
       return [];
     }
 
-    // Special case: "recent" category shows popular/recently used
     if (category === "recent") {
-      return _getPopularEmojis(50);
+      return _getPopularEmojis(25);
     }
 
     return emojis.filter(function(emoji) {