New emojis arrive with operating system updates, not app updates
When you update your phone's operating system — iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS — you get the new emoji set that version includes. Apple, Google, Microsoft, and other operating system makers decide which emojis to add each year, and those emojis ship as part of the system software, not inside individual apps like Messages or Twitter.
This means you cannot get new emojis by updating an app. You have to update the operating system itself. On most phones, this happens automatically if you have automatic updates turned on. On computers, you may need to manually check for and install the update.
The emoji set you see depends on what operating system version you are running. If you are on an older version of iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS, you will see older emoji designs. Updating to the latest version gives you the latest emoji set.
Key Takeaways
- New emojis come with operating system updates (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS), not app updates, so you must update your device's core software to see them.
- On phones, enable automatic updates in Settings to receive new emojis without manual action; on computers, check for updates manually through System Settings or System Preferences.
- Each operating system releases emoji updates on its own schedule — Apple typically updates in the fall with iOS releases, while Android updates vary by manufacturer.
- Older devices may not support the latest emoji set if the manufacturer stops releasing updates for that hardware model.
How to update on iPhone or iPad
Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. If an update is available, tap read and Install. Your device will restart during the installation. Once the update is complete, you will have access to any new emojis included in that iOS version.
To make this happen automatically in the future, go to Settings, General, Software Update, and turn on Automatic Updates. Your phone will then read and install updates overnight when plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
How to update on Android phones
The process varies slightly by manufacturer. On most Android phones, go to Settings, then About Phone, then System Update or Software Update. Tap Check for Updates. If an update is available, tap read and Install.
Some manufacturers like Samsung put the update option under Settings, then Device Care, then Security. Google Pixel phones have it under Settings, then System, then System Update. If you are unsure where to find it on your specific phone, search the Settings app for "system update" — the search function will take you to the right place.
To enable automatic updates on Android, go to Settings, then System, then System Update, and look for an option to update automatically. Not all Android phones offer this, so you may need to check manually every few months.
How to update on Windows
Click the Start button, then go to Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update. Click Check for Updates. Windows will read and install any available updates. You may need to restart your computer.
To turn on automatic updates, stay in the Windows Update screen and look for Advanced Options. You can set Windows to read updates automatically and install them at a time you choose, usually overnight.
How to update on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click General, then Software Update. If an update is available, click Update Now. Your Mac may restart during installation.
To enable automatic updates, stay in the Software Update screen and click Automatic Updates. Your Mac will then read and install updates in the background.
Why you might not see new emojis even after updating
If you updated your operating system but do not see new emojis, restart your device. Sometimes apps need to reload the emoji set after a system update.
If restarting does not work, check that you actually have the latest version. Go back to your update settings and confirm the version number matches what the manufacturer lists as current. Some devices receive updates in waves, so you may not get the latest version on the same day it is released.
Older devices may never receive the latest emoji set. If your phone or computer is several years old and the manufacturer has stopped releasing updates for it, you are stuck with the emoji set from the last update that device received. This is one reason people eventually replace older hardware — not just for speed or battery life, but because the software stops advancing.
The difference between emoji design changes and new emoji additions
Sometimes you update your operating system and the emoji you already use look different, but no new emojis appear. This happens because operating system makers redesign existing emoji regularly. A smiley face emoji might go from yellow and round to yellow and slightly more detailed, or the style might shift to match a new design direction.
These design changes are separate from new emoji additions. A single operating system update might add 100 new emojis and redesign 50 existing ones. You cannot control which emojis get redesigned — that is a choice the operating system maker makes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to update my whole operating system just to get new emojis?
Yes. Emojis are part of the operating system, not separate software you can read. You cannot get new emojis without updating iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS. However, operating system updates include security fixes and performance improvements beyond just emojis, so updating is worth doing anyway.
Will updating my phone to get new emojis slow it down?
Not usually. Operating system updates sometimes make devices faster by fixing bugs or improving efficiency. Occasionally an older device runs slightly slower after a major update, but this is rare and usually temporary. The security benefits of updating outweigh the small risk of a minor slowdown.
Can I use new emojis if my friend has an older phone?
Your friend will see your new emoji, but it may look different or appear as a blank box, depending on how old their device is. If the emoji is very new and their phone is several versions behind, their device may not recognize it at all. This is why some people still see emoji as boxes — their device does not have that emoji in its system yet.
What if I do not want to update because I like the old emoji designs?
You can choose not to update, but you will miss security fixes and bug repairs along with the new emojis. If you want to keep old emoji designs, the only way is to stay on an older operating system version, which is not recommended because it leaves your device vulnerable to security problems.
How often do new emojis get released?
The Unicode Consortium, which sets the emoji standard, releases new emoji sets once a year. Apple, Google, and Microsoft then design how those emojis look and include them in their next major operating system release. Apple typically releases new emojis in the fall with iOS, while Android timing varies by manufacturer.