Where Mac emojis come from and what you can actually change
Your Mac comes with a built-in emoji set that Apple updates with each macOS release. You cannot install a completely different emoji font the way you might install a new typeface, because macOS uses system-level emoji rendering that overrides individual font choices. What you can do is wait for Apple's updates, use third-party apps that generate emoji-like characters, or access emoji variants that already exist in your current system.
If you are looking to use more emojis or different styles, the most practical routes are: updating your macOS to the latest version (which includes new emojis), using the built-in emoji picker to access all available options, or installing apps that create emoji-adjacent graphics or Unicode characters.
Key Takeaways
- Apple releases new emojis only through macOS updates, so the fastest way to get new emojis is to update your operating system in System Settings under General > Software Update.
- Your Mac already has hundreds of emoji variants built in — access them by pressing Control + Command + Space to open the emoji picker, then search or browse by category.
- You cannot replace the system emoji font with a third-party alternative, because macOS renders emojis at the system level regardless of font selection.
- Third-party apps like Emoji Kitchen, Noto Emoji, or Unicode character apps can generate emoji-like graphics or alternative Unicode symbols if you need styles Apple does not offer.
Update macOS to get the newest emojis
Apple adds new emojis only through macOS updates, typically released once per year. To see what emojis are available on your current system and get access to newer ones, check for updates first.
Open System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then select Software Update. If an update is available, click Update Now. Your Mac will read and install the update, which may require a restart. Once complete, you will have access to all emojis included in that macOS version.
You can check which macOS version you are running by opening System Settings, going to General, and looking at About. The version number tells you roughly how recent your emoji set is — macOS Sonoma (14.x) includes emojis released through 2023, while macOS Sequoia (15.x) includes 2024 releases.
Use the emoji picker to find emojis already on your Mac
Your Mac has far more emojis available than you might realize. The emoji picker — a built-in tool — shows you every emoji your system supports, organized by category.
Press Control + Command + Space anywhere you can type (in Messages, Mail, a document, a web form). A small window will open showing emoji categories at the bottom: Smileys, Animals, Food, Travel, Activities, Objects, Symbols, and Flags. Click any category to browse, or use the search box at the top to find a specific emoji by name. Type "heart" and you will see every heart variant. Type "cat" and you will see all cat-related emojis.
Click any emoji to insert it into your document or message. You can also access skin tone variants by holding your cursor over a face emoji — a menu will appear with different skin tone options. This picker is the fastest way to use emojis you already have.
Why you cannot install custom emoji fonts
Unlike regular fonts, emoji rendering on macOS is handled by the system itself, not by individual applications or font files. Even if you read an emoji font file and install it in Font Book, macOS will ignore it and continue using Apple's system emoji set.
This is a deliberate design choice. It ensures that emojis look consistent across all apps and prevents broken rendering when an app encounters an emoji the custom font does not support. The trade-off is that you are limited to whatever Apple includes in your current macOS version.
Third-party apps that create emoji-like graphics
If you need emoji styles or characters that Apple does not offer, several apps can help. These do not replace your system emojis but instead generate graphics or Unicode characters you can use alongside them.
Emoji Kitchen (available free on the Mac App Store) lets you combine two emojis to create new graphics — for example, combining a smiley face with a heart to create a custom graphic. The result is a PNG image you can copy and paste into messages or documents.
Unicode character apps like PopChar or UnicodeChecker show you thousands of Unicode symbols and special characters beyond standard emojis. These include mathematical symbols, arrows, decorative characters, and regional variants. You can copy and paste them into any document, though they may not render as colorful emoji graphics depending on the app you are using.
For most people, the built-in emoji picker covers what you need. Third-party apps are useful only if you have a specific style or symbol in mind that Apple does not include.
What to do if an emoji looks different on your Mac than on someone else's device
Emojis can look different across devices because each operating system (macOS, iOS, Android, Windows) renders them with its own design. A smiley face on your Mac might look slightly different from the same emoji on an iPhone or Android phone. This is normal and expected.
If someone sends you an emoji that does not display at all, it usually means they have a newer device or operating system than you do, and that emoji was added after your macOS version was released. Updating your Mac will fix this. If you send an emoji to someone with an older device, they may see a blank box or a generic symbol instead — this is why it is good practice to include text alongside important emojis in professional communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read emoji packs from the internet and install them?
No. Emoji font files you read will not work on macOS because the system ignores custom emoji fonts and uses its own rendering engine. Any emoji pack you find online either will not install, or will install but have no effect on how emojis appear in your apps.
Will jailbreaking or using Terminal let me install custom emojis?
No. macOS emoji rendering is built into the core system and cannot be overridden without modifying the operating system itself, which is not practical or supported. Attempting to do so risks breaking your system.
How often does Apple add new emojis?
Apple typically releases new emojis once per year as part of the annual macOS update, usually in the fall. The number of new emojis varies — some years bring 50 to 100 new options, others fewer. You get them automatically when you update your operating system.
Can I use emojis from my iPhone on my Mac?
If your iPhone and Mac are both updated to recent versions, they will have similar emoji sets and the emojis will look consistent between devices. If your Mac is older, it may not have emojis your iPhone has. Updating your Mac closes this gap.
What if the emoji picker keyboard shortcut does not work?
Try Control + Command + Space again, or open System Settings, go to Keyboard, click Keyboard Shortcuts, select Input Sources, and make sure Select the previous input source is not using the same shortcut. If it is, change one of them. You can also access the emoji picker through the menu bar: click the Input menu (looks like a flag or keyboard) and select Emoji & Symbols.