iOS 26.4 Will Add These 9 New Emoji to Your iPhone
If you’ve ever wished your texts could include a trombone, an orca, or even Bigfoot, you’re in luck. Apple’s upcoming iOS 26.4 update—expected to roll out in March or April 2026—will introduce nine new emoji to the iPhone’s keyboard. These additions follow the Unicode Consortium’s latest emoji recommendations and continue Apple’s tradition of refreshing its emoji library every spring with major point updates like iOS 15.4, 16.4, and 18.4.
For iPhone users who rely on emoji to express everything from sarcasm to celebration, these new icons promise more personality, precision, and fun in everyday messaging.
What’s New in iOS 26.4’s Emoji Lineup?
The nine new emoji coming to iOS 26.4 cover a surprisingly diverse range of themes—from nature and music to mythical creatures and emotional nuance. Here’s the full list:
- Trombone
- Treasure Chest
- Distorted Face
- Hairy Creature (aka Bigfoot or Sasquatch)
- Fight Cloud
- Apple Core
- Orca
- Ballet Dancers
- Landslide
Each of these symbols fills a gap in digital expression. Want to celebrate a musical performance? The trombone’s got you covered. Need to signal chaos or absurdity? The “Distorted Face”—already a favorite in Discord communities—adds a surreal twist to reactions. And yes, you can finally send your friend a cryptid when they ghost you.
Why the “Distorted Face” Emoji Matters
Among the newcomers, the Distorted Face stands out for its cultural relevance. Originally popularized in online spaces like Discord and Reddit, this emoji captures a specific blend of awkwardness, disbelief, and digital absurdity that existing faces couldn’t quite convey. It’s essentially a warped version of the embarrassed face—but with glitchy, stretched features that feel native to internet culture.
Apple’s inclusion of this emoji signals its ongoing effort to align with how real people communicate online, not just in formal settings but in the chaotic, creative corners of social media.
From Mythical Beasts to Environmental Symbols
The Hairy Creature emoji—widely interpreted as Bigfoot or Sasquatch—adds a playful nod to folklore and pop culture. Meanwhile, the Orca and Landslide bring greater ecological awareness to the emoji palette, offering visual shorthand for marine conservation and climate-related events.
Even the humble Apple Core carries subtle meaning: it’s both a nod to sustainability (think composting) and a cheeky callback to Apple’s own brand identity. Paired with the Treasure Chest, which evokes gaming loot or childhood adventure stories, these emoji expand storytelling possibilities in texts and social posts.
How Apple’s Emoji Rollouts Have Become Predictable
Over the past several years, Apple has followed a reliable pattern: every spring, with the .4 update (iOS 15.4, 16.4, etc.), new emoji arrive. This consistency makes it easy for users to anticipate fresh expressive tools—and for developers to prepare apps that support them.
iOS 26.4 continues that trend, landing right on schedule. While emoji might seem minor compared to headline features like AI enhancements or camera upgrades, they remain one of the most universally used elements of the iPhone experience.
Beyond Standard Emoji: Genmoji Adds a Personal Touch
It’s worth noting that newer iPhones—specifically the iPhone 15 Pro and later models—already offer something beyond static emoji: Genmoji, part of Apple Intelligence. This feature lets users generate custom emoji based on text prompts or by blending existing ones.
Still, standardized emoji like those in iOS 26.4 ensure universal compatibility across devices and platforms. Your Bigfoot will look recognizable whether you’re texting an Android user or posting on a cross-platform app.
When Can You Start Using Them?
Barring any delays, iOS 26.4 is expected to launch in March or April 2026. Once installed, the new emoji will appear automatically in your keyboard’s emoji picker—no setup required.
Until then, keep an eye on Apple’s beta releases if you’re enrolled in the public beta program. Early adopters often get a sneak peek weeks before the official drop.
Emoji may be small, but they carry big emotional weight in our digital conversations. With iOS 26.4, Apple isn’t just adding icons—it’s giving us new ways to laugh, react, and connect, one quirky symbol at a time.
