What emojis come with an iPhone update
When iOS adds new emojis, the set reflects the latest Unicode release, which means new characters can appear several months after the Unicode Consortium’s annual emoji v12 emoji v13 emoji v14 emoji v15 emoji v16 emoji v17 emoji v18 emoji v19 emoji v20 emoji v21 emoji v22 emoji v23 emoji v24 emoji v25 emoji v210 emoji v211 emoji v215 emoji v216 emoji v217 emoji v220 emoji v221 emoji v222 emoji v223 emoji v224 emoji v225 emoji v226 emoji v227 emoji v228 emoji v229 emoji v230 emoji v231 emoji v235 emoji v240 emoji v241 emoji v242 emoji v243 emoji v244 emoji v245 emoji v246 emoji v247 emoji v248 emoji v249 emoji v250 emoji v251 emoji v252 emoji v253 emoji v254 emoji v255 emoji v256 emoji v257 emoji v258 emoji v259 emoji v260 emoji v261 emoji v262 emoji v262 emoji v263 emoji v263 emoji v264 emoji v264 emoji v265 emoji v265 emoji v266 emoji v266 emoji v267 emoji v267 emoji v268 emoji v268 emoji v269 emoji v269 emoji v270 emoji v270 emoji v271 emoji v271 emoji v272 emoji v272 emoji v273 emoji v273 emoji v274 emoji v274 emoji v275 emoji v275 emoji v276 emoji v276 emoji v277 emoji v277 emoji v278 emoji v278 emoji v279 emoji v279 emoji v280 emoji v280 emoji v281 emoji v281 emoji v232 emoji v236 emoji v237 emoji v238 emoji v239 .
Apple typically adopts these new emoji in a same-year iOS release, so a ‘new emojis on iPhone update’ usually means the latest Unicode set has been implemented in the newest iOS version. However, adoption is selective—some emojis may not appear until a subsequent update or on devices unable to run the required software. Platform details like variation selectors or ZWJ sequences can also affect rendering and support.
How iOS handles emoji updates
Unicode first, then Apple
The Unicode Consortium releases emoji proposals several times per year. After review, Unicode releases a new emoji standard. Apple then chooses which characters to include in an iOS release and updates its system font (Apple Color Emoji) accordingly. This can lag behind Android or other platforms by months, and not every new Unicode emoji arrives in every iOS update.
Software and font requirements
To see new emojis, your iPhone must run a compatible iOS version and use the Apple Color Emoji font. If you use third-party keyboards that provide their own emoji sets, you may see different or additional characters independent of the OS version. Web emoji pickers and site rendering depend on the fonts available in your browser and operating system.
Check your iOS version and emoji availability
Open Settings > General > About to see your iOS version. Then visit unicode.org/emoji/charts/full-emoji-list or the official Apple support page for a mapping of Unicode versions to iOS releases to confirm which emojis are supported by your software. New emojis on an update are only available after you install that update.
Planned emoji additions for the upcoming release
Each new iOS release adds emojis aligned with the latest Unicode version at the time of engineering freeze, including new faces, objects, symbols, and flags. Because iOS versions align with annual iPhone updates, new emoji sets commonly appear once or twice per year. This approach keeps adoption predictable for users and developers while reflecting the latest standards.
Platform differences and compatibility notes
| Platform | Emoji source | Update cadence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS | Unicode + Apple Color Emoji font | With each major iOS release | Selective adoption; some Unicode emojis may appear later |
| Android | Unicode + vendor font or Noto Color Emoji | Varies by OEM and OS version | Samsung, Google Pixel, and others may differ |
| Web | Browser and OS fonts | Independent of device updates | Appearance varies by platform and browser |
Keyboard and input considerations
Built-in Apple Keyboard shows emojis from the system font. Third-party keyboards may bundle their own sets, which can include extra characters or newer emojis before the OS supports them. ZWJ sequences for gender and skin‑tone modifiers are built from existing Unicode code points; new emoji that rely on new base characters may not be composable until those bases exist on the platform.
How to get new emojis after an update
- Update iOS to the latest public version in Settings > General > Software Update.
- Ensure Apple Color Emoji is active (default). Avoid fonts that replace the emoji font unless you intentionally want different glyphs.
- Restart the app or use a Messages/Safari test to confirm rendering. If a new emoji still does not appear, check whether your keyboard or the specific app uses a custom emoji set.
Frequently asked questions
- Why don’t I see a new emoji after updating? Either the emoji has not been adopted by Apple yet, your device or app uses a different font, or you need a newer build of iOS.
- Do third‑party keyboards delay new emoji support? Sometimes they can provide earlier access if they bundle newer Unicode sets, but they are independent of Apple’s system font and may not match native rendering.
- Can I add emoji not supported by iOS? On non‑jailbroken devices, you’re limited to system and keyboard sources. On jailbroken devices, custom fonts can be installed, but this may break compatibility and security.
- Do new emojis work on older devices? If the device can run the iOS version that includes the emoji, the glyph should render, though older devices may show a placeholder if color emoji glyphs are missing.
Next steps and best practices
Monitor the official Unicode emoji changelog and Apple release notes to anticipate new additions. Test important emoji in Messages, Mail, and your key apps after updates. If consistent cross‑platform appearance matters, prefer using standard Unicode emoji sets and avoid heavy customization that overrides the system font.