You’ve probably seen the headlines. There’s a pickle coming. Maybe a lighthouse. Everyone is talking about the "latest" icons, but honestly, the way Apple rolls these out is kinda confusing if you aren't staring at technical roadmaps all day.
Right now, we are in a weird middle ground. Apple just finished pushing out a major batch of symbols, they're currently testing a second batch for the spring, and a third group—the one with that famous pickle—is still just a "maybe" on a draft list for next year.
If you're looking for the Apple new emoji update, you have to look at three different timelines. Here is exactly what is happening to your keyboard in 2026.
The iOS 18.4 Drop: What’s Arriving in March
Most of us are currently running some version of iOS 18 or 19, depending on how fast you hit that "Update" button. But the next really big shift for your emoji keyboard is landing with iOS 18.4, expected around March or April.
Apple doesn't just invent these on a whim. They wait for the Unicode Consortium to approve them, and then Apple’s designers spend months making them look... well, like Apple. This batch (technically from Unicode 16.0) includes about eight new icons that have been "coming soon" for a while.
The standout is the Face with Bags Under Eyes. It’s the ultimate "I didn't sleep and I'm over it" emoji. You’re also getting a Harp, a Shovel, and a Splatter (which looks like a paint mess). There is also a Fingerprint and a Leafless Tree, which was actually added to represent climate awareness and seasonal changes.
It’s a small list, but they’re high-utility.
The Weird Case of the Apple Core and Bigfoot
Here is where things get a bit messy. Last year, everyone was hyped for an Apple Core emoji and a Bigfoot (or "Hairy Creature") icon. These were part of the draft for Unicode 17.0.
Interestingly, the Apple Core actually got yanked from the final approval list for a bit. It’s one of the few times a proposed icon didn't make the cut immediately. But don't worry, it’s back on the radar for later this year or early next.
According to the latest from Emojipedia, the finalized Unicode 17.0 list—which Apple will likely integrate into iOS 19.4 in early 2026—includes some heavy hitters:
- A Distorted Face (think melting or glitchy).
- An Orca (killer whale).
- A Trombone.
- A Treasure Chest.
- A Fight Cloud (the "POW!" bubble you see in old Batman comics).
Basically, if you’re waiting for the Orca, you’ve still got a few months of waiting ahead of you. Apple almost always saves these for the "point four" updates in the spring rather than the big September launch.
Let's Talk About Genmoji (The Game Changer)
You can't talk about the Apple new emoji update without mentioning Genmoji. This is Apple Intelligence’s way of saying, "If it doesn't exist, just make it."
Honestly, this changes the whole "waiting for Unicode" game. If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or any iPhone 16/17 model, you aren't stuck with the standard library anymore. You type a description like "T-Rex wearing a tutu on a skateboard," and the AI spits out an emoji-style image.
These aren't technically "standard" Unicode emojis. They are Small Images (NSAdaptiveImageGlyph).
What does that mean for you? It means they look like emojis in your Messages app, but if you send them to your friend with a ten-year-old Android phone, they might just show up as a regular image or a weird blank box. That’s the limitation of being on the bleeding edge of tech.
Apple recently updated Genmoji in the latest beta to allow for "mixes." You can now take two existing emojis and mash them together, similar to Google's "Emoji Kitchen," but with more control over the final look.
The 2026 Draft: The Pickle and the Meteor
The news cycle moved fast this week because the Unicode Consortium just published the draft list for Emoji 18.0. These won't even be finalized until September 2026, meaning they won't hit your iPhone until 2027.
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But people are already obsessed. The draft includes:
- A Pickle (finally).
- A Lighthouse.
- A Meteor.
- A Squinting Face.
- A Monarch Butterfly.
The pickle is already a meme. People have been asking for a pickle to differentiate it from the "cucumber" (which we all know is rarely used to talk about actual cucumbers). The meteor feels appropriate for the general "everything is chaotic" vibe of the mid-2020s.
Why Does It Take So Long?
You might wonder why it takes years to get a piece of clipart on your phone. It’s a bureaucracy thing.
The Unicode Consortium has to ensure that an emoji will be "internationally recognizable." They don't want to add things that are just a flash-in-the-pan trend. They look for longevity. Once they approve a "codepoint," Apple’s art team has to draw their version. Google draws theirs. Samsung draws theirs.
If they didn't do this, you’d send a heart and your friend would see a toaster. It has to be standardized so the "code" ($U+1F32D$ for a Hot Dog, for example) translates the same way on every screen in the world.
Actionable Steps for Your Keyboard
If you want the newest icons right now, here is what you actually need to do:
- Check your version: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If you aren't on at least iOS 18.2, you’re missing the first wave of Apple Intelligence Genmoji features.
- Sign up for the Beta (if you're brave): If you want the Face with Bags Under Eyes before your friends, you can join the Apple Beta Software Program. Just back up your phone first—betas are notoriously buggy and can drain your battery.
- Master the Search: Most people scroll through the keyboard forever. Just tap the "Search Emoji" field and type "tired" or "bags" once you've updated to 18.4 to find the new stuff quickly.
- Use stickers as a bridge: If the emoji you want doesn't exist yet (like the Orca), remember that iOS lets you turn any photo or transparent PNG into a sticker. Just long-press an image in your Photos app and "Add Sticker." It’s a solid workaround while we wait for Unicode to catch up.
The emoji landscape is shifting from "wait for the update" to "create it yourself with AI." But for those who want the official, standardized icons, the March 2026 update is the one to watch. Keep an eye on your system settings once the spring hits.