Where new emojis come from and when you get them
New emojis arrive through operating system updates, not through a separate download or app. When Apple, Google, Microsoft, or your device maker releases a major software update, that update includes a new emoji set. You do not download emojis separately — they come bundled with the system files your phone or computer already uses to display text and symbols.
The timing varies by platform. Apple typically releases new emojis once a year, usually in the fall when iOS updates ship. Google adds new emojis to Android at different intervals depending on your phone manufacturer and carrier. Windows and Mac updates follow their own schedules, which may not align with emoji releases. This means you might see new emojis on an iPhone before they appear on an Android phone, or vice versa.
The actual emoji designs — what each symbol looks like — come from the Unicode Consortium, an international standards body. Unicode decides which new emojis exist and publishes the official designs. Device makers then create their own visual versions of those emojis to match their operating system's style. So a "heart" emoji looks slightly different on iPhone than on Android, even though both represent the same Unicode character.
Key Takeaways
- New emojis arrive only through operating system updates; you cannot download them separately or through an app.
- Apple releases new emojis annually with iOS updates, while Android timing depends on your phone manufacturer and when they push updates to your device.
- To get new emojis, update your device to the latest available operating system version through your device settings.
- Older devices may not receive the latest emoji sets if they cannot run the newest operating system version.
Updating iOS to get new emojis on iPhone and iPad
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If a new version is available, you will see it listed with the version number and file size. Tap Download and Install. Your device will download the update, which may take several minutes depending on file size and connection speed. You will be prompted to install it; tap Install Now or wait for the installation to happen automatically overnight if you choose Install Later.
During installation, your iPhone or iPad will restart. Do not unplug the device or force it to shut down. The process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes. Once the update completes, your device will show the new operating system version in Settings > General > About. New emojis will be available immediately in the emoji keyboard.
If you do not see a software update available, your device is already running the latest version. Older iPhone and iPad models may not support the newest iOS versions, which means they cannot receive the latest emoji sets. For example, an iPhone 6s cannot run iOS 17, so it will not get the emojis that ship with iOS 17.
Updating Android to get new emojis on phones and tablets
Android updates work differently depending on your phone manufacturer. On most Android phones, go to Settings > About phone > System update (the exact path varies by manufacturer). Tap Check for update. If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install it. Some phones will download the update automatically and prompt you to install it at a convenient time.
Samsung phones use Settings > About phone > Software update. Google Pixel phones use Settings > System > System update. Other manufacturers like OnePlus, Motorola, and others have their own paths, but all follow the same general pattern. Check your phone's manual or support website if you cannot find the update option.
Android updates can take 20 minutes to over an hour depending on the file size and your connection. Your phone may restart several times. Once the update finishes, new emojis will appear in your keyboard. However, Android manufacturers do not always push emoji updates to all devices at the same time. You might not see new emojis for weeks or months after they are released, depending on when your phone maker decides to send the update to your specific device model.
Getting new emojis on Windows and Mac
On Windows 10 and Windows 11, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (or Settings > System > About on Windows 11). Click Check for updates. Windows will download and install any available updates, including emoji sets. Your computer may need to restart. New emojis will be available in any application that supports them, such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, or web browsers.
On Mac, go to the Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions) > General > Software Update. Click Update Now if an update is available. Mac will download and install the update, which may require a restart. New emojis will appear in the emoji picker, which you can open by pressing Control + Command + Space in most applications.
Windows and Mac do not release emoji updates on a fixed schedule. New emojis may arrive months after they are released on iPhone or Android. If you need a specific new emoji right away, you may need to wait for your operating system to push an update that includes it.
Why you might not see new emojis even after updating
If you have updated your device but do not see new emojis, the most common reason is that the emoji keyboard has not refreshed. Try closing and reopening the application where you use emojis, or restart your device entirely. Some applications cache emoji data, so they may not show new emojis until you force them to reload.
Another possibility is that the application itself does not support the newest emoji set. Older versions of messaging apps, social media apps, or email clients may not display new emojis correctly, even if your operating system has them. Updating the application through your device's app store usually fixes this. Go to the App Store (iPhone), Google Play (Android), Microsoft Store (Windows), or Mac App Store and check for updates to the apps you use most.
If you are using a work phone or tablet managed by your employer, your organization may have blocked automatic updates or restricted which software versions you can run. Contact your IT department to request the latest operating system update.
Checking which emoji version your device supports
Different devices support different emoji versions. An iPhone running iOS 17 supports Unicode Emoji 15.1, while an older iPhone running iOS 15 supports Unicode Emoji 14.0. This means the older phone simply does not have access to emojis that were added after version 14.0.
To find out which emoji version your device supports, check your operating system version. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and note the iOS version number. On Android, go to Settings > About phone and look for the Android version. Then search online for "[your device] [operating system version] emoji support" to see which Unicode emoji version that combination includes.
If your device cannot run the latest operating system, it cannot receive the latest emojis. Upgrading to a newer phone or computer is the only way to access newer emoji sets in that case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download emojis from an app or website?
No. Emojis are part of your operating system and cannot be installed separately. Apps that claim to offer "new emojis" are either showing you emojis your device already has, or they are displaying images that look like emojis but are not actual emoji characters. To get real new emojis, you must update your operating system.
Why do I see different emojis than my friend on a different phone?
Each device maker designs emojis to match their operating system's style. An iPhone's smiley face looks different from an Android smiley face, even though they are the same emoji character. If your friend has a newer operating system version, they may also have emojis that your device does not support yet.
Will updating my device to get new emojis delete my data?
No. Operating system updates preserve your photos, messages, contacts, and apps. However, it is always a good idea to back up your device before a major update, just in case something goes wrong. On iPhone, use iCloud backup. On Android, use Google backup. On Windows, use File History. On Mac, use Time Machine.
Do I have to update my entire operating system just to get new emojis?
Yes. Emojis are not released separately from operating system updates. If you want new emojis, you must install the operating system version that includes them. You cannot pick and choose which parts of an update to install.
What if my device is too old to run the latest operating system?
Older devices eventually stop receiving updates. Once your device reaches end-of-life, it will not receive new emoji sets. You can still use the emojis your device currently has, but you will not see emojis released after your device's last supported operating system version.