What’s new with Apple emojis in iOS 18
Apple’s iOS 18 introduces a fresh set of emojis that expand expression while aligning closely with the latest Unicode releases. This change reflects Apple’s ongoing effort to keep the on-device emoji experience current with global standards. The update includes new people, objects, nature, and activity icons designed to match existing visual language. This guide explains what’s new, how the changes align with Unicode, and what this means for users today and in future updates.
Design philosophy and goals
Apple approaches emoji updates with clarity, consistency, and accessibility in mind. New emojis are intended to broaden representation and provide more nuanced symbols for everyday communication. Design priorities include legibility at small sizes, neutrality where appropriate, and compatibility across languages. By aligning with Unicode, Apple ensures that emojis sent from an iPhone display predictably on other platforms while still showcasing refined visual detail.
Key design principles
- Consistency with prior Apple emoji aesthetics and stroke weight
- Improved distinction between similar symbols
- Support for skin tone and gender modifiers where relevant
- High readability at small scales and on varying displays
Apple iOS 18 new emojis list
iOS 18 adds emojis that respond to both creative demand and evolving communication needs. While some symbols have been refreshed for clarity, others introduce more specific activities, roles, and natural elements. Below are the notable additions and refinements included in this release, based on the Unicode submissions adopted by Apple.
New emoji characters
The following emoji characters are new to Apple’s on-device set with iOS 18. They span categories such as people, activities, animals, objects, and nature, giving users additional ways to express complex ideas quickly.
| Emoji | Category | Short description | Unicode version |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🫧 | Objects | Soap bubble | Unicode 15.0 |
| | Smileys & Emotion | Melting face | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫐 | Food & Drink | Blueberries | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫒 | Food & Drink | Olive | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫡 | Objects | Airplane mode | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫢 | Smileys & Emotion | Face with looking up and sweat | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫣 | Smileys & Emotion | Face with distrust | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫤 | Smileys & Emotion | Face with spiral eyes | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫥 | Smileys & Emotion | Smiling face with horns | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫦 | Smileys & Emotion | Face with steam from nose | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫧 | Objects | Bubbles | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫨 | Objects | Shaking face | Unicode 15.0 |
| | Smileys & Emotion | Melting face | Unicode 15.0 |
| | Smileys & Emotion | Hushed face | Unicode 15.0 |
| | Smileys & Emotion | Face with downturned mouth | Unicode 15.0 |
| | Smileys & Emotion | Face with hand over mouth | Unicode 15.0 |
| | Smileys & Emotion | Face with crossed eyes | Unicode 15.0 |
| | Smileys & Emotion | Face with sparkles | Unicode 15.0 |
| | Objects | Fire extinguisher | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫰 | People & Body | Hands pressed together | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫱 | People & Body | Two hands clasped | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫲 | People & Body | Hands together with upward palms | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫳 | People & Body | Person lying down | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫴 | People & Body | Person in lotus position | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫵 | People & Body | Palm pointing at self | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫶 | People & Body | Heart hands | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫷 | People & Body | Left shaking hand | Unicode 15.0 |
| 🫸 | People & Body | Hand with index finger and thumb crossed | Unicode 15.0 |
| | Objects | Magnifying glass with dots | Unicode 15.0 |
| | Objects | Recycling symbol | Unicode 15.0 |
Availability and rollout details
The new emojis are part of iOS 18 and are available on compatible Apple devices that can run this update. Devices meeting the iOS 18 requirement will receive the emoji set once the update is installed. Because these emojis align with Unicode 15.0, they may appear differently on other platforms while remaining consistent within Apple’s ecosystem. Apple typically includes these updates in major iOS releases, making them broadly accessible across current and supported hardware.
How these emojis compare to earlier Apple releases
Earlier Apple emoji updates introduced foundational symbols and expanded diversity options. iOS 18 builds on that by adding more nuanced activities, environmental indicators, and status-based icons. The following comparison highlights how the new set extends prior coverage while keeping visual coherence across the entire emoji keyboard.
| Era | Notable additions | Design goals |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2020 | Basic smileys, objects, and flags | Foundational cross-platform compatibility |
| 2020–2023 | Expanded diversity, smileys, and objects | Greater representation and clearer glyphs |
| 2024 (iOS 18) | New people, nature, objects, and status icons | Nuanced expression, modern activities, and symbols |
Practical guidance for users and developers
For end users, the new emojis are available immediately after updating to iOS 18 and appear in the standard emoji keyboard. No additional setup is required. Developers should test how these symbols render across devices and consider accessibility labels where new icons represent actions or states. Because emoji rendering can differ slightly between platforms, designers should verify intended appearance on recipient devices when building campaigns or user-facing interfaces that rely on specific symbols.
Common questions and clarifications
Users often ask whether new emojis will look the same for everyone or how to access them. The answers are straightforward: if both sender and receiver use Apple devices running iOS 18 or later, the emojis should appear as intended. If a recipient uses another platform, the emoji may render using that platform’s set, which can affect appearance or mapping. You can access the new symbols by opening the emoji keyboard and browsing relevant categories such as Smileys & Emotion, People & Body, and Objects.