What New Emoji Are Coming to iOS in 2026?
If you’ve ever wished your texts could better convey side-eye skepticism or your undying love for pickles, good news is on the horizon. The Unicode Consortium has unveiled a draft list of 19 new emoji candidates for Emoji 18.0—slated for final approval in September 2026. Among the standout additions? A squinting face, a humble pickle, and a picturesque lighthouse. While nothing’s guaranteed until Apple gives its design stamp of approval, these fresh icons could soon be lighting up your iMessage threads.
Why These Emoji Matter More Than You Think
Emoji aren’t just cute decorations—they’re a vital part of digital communication, especially as remote work and texting dominate our daily interactions. The proposed squinting face, for instance, fills a long-noted gap in expressing doubt, suspicion, or playful teasing without resorting to clunky word explanations. Meanwhile, the addition of a dedicated pickle emoji responds to years of online memes and snack-based devotion. These symbols reflect real-world language evolution, making conversations more vivid and inclusive.
Meet the Headliners: Squinting Face, Pickle, and Lighthouse
The squinting face stands out as one of the most anticipated new emoji 2026 offerings. Unlike the wide-eyed “astonished face” or the neutral “neutral face,” this expression captures that subtle narrowing of the eyes we use when questioning someone’s story—or reacting to an outrageous group chat claim. The pickle, long meme-famous (“dill with it”), finally gets official recognition, while the lighthouse brings a touch of coastal serenity and metaphorical guidance to our digital lexicon.
Gesture-Based Additions Expand Emotional Range
Beyond objects and expressions, Emoji 18.0 introduces nuanced gestures: left- and right-pointing thumbs. These aren’t just directional cues—they open doors for richer storytelling. Imagine using a right-pointing thumb to signal “this way!” in a travel plan or a left-pointing one to playfully deflect blame in a group text. Such additions acknowledge how users already repurpose existing emoji and aim to give them more precise tools.
Nature Gets a Boost with Meteor and Monarch Butterfly
Nature lovers, rejoice. The draft includes both a meteor—perfect for dramatic announcements or astronomy enthusiasts—and a monarch butterfly, offering species-specific representation beyond the generic butterfly emoji introduced years ago. The monarch, in particular, carries cultural and ecological weight, symbolizing migration, transformation, and conservation efforts. These choices show Unicode’s growing attention to biodiversity and scientific awareness in digital expression.
Everyday Tools Finally Get Their Due
Sometimes the most useful emoji are the quiet heroes of productivity. Emoji 18.0 proposes an eraser—ideal for signaling corrections or “never mind” moments—and a net with a handle, which could represent fishing, sports, or even catching opportunities. These practical icons may seem mundane, but they fill functional gaps that users have creatively (and awkwardly) worked around for years using unrelated symbols.
Skin Tone Inclusivity Continues to Expand
In line with ongoing inclusivity efforts, the new set adds 10 skin tone variants tied to two base emoji—likely the new thumb gestures. This brings the total recommended emoji count close to 4,000, reinforcing Unicode’s commitment to representation. For users who rely on emoji to reflect their identity, these additions ensure digital communication remains personal and respectful across cultures and communities.
Apple’s Design Will Make or Break User Adoption
While Emojipedia has shared sample artwork, Apple’s in-house designers will craft their own versions in the signature San Francisco style. History shows that Apple’s aesthetic heavily influences how emoji are perceived and used globally. Remember the infamous “grinning face with smiling eyes” that looked more like a grimace? Design matters. If Apple nails the squinting face’s sassy nuance or the pickle’s briny crunch, adoption will soar.
Timeline: When Will These Emoji Hit Your iPhone?
Don’t expect these symbols tomorrow. Emoji 18.0 won’t be finalized until September 2026. If approved, Apple typically rolls out new emoji in its fall iOS update—meaning late 2026 or early 2027 for most users. That gives plenty of time for speculation, fan art, and even petitions (looking at you, avocado-toast supporters). But given Apple’s track record, if Unicode greenlights the list, iOS support is almost certain.
How New Emoji Reflect Broader Digital Trends
These proposed additions aren’t random—they mirror how we communicate now. The squinting face aligns with the rise of ironic, skeptical online discourse. The pickle taps into foodie culture and meme economics. The lighthouse? Perhaps a nod to our collective search for stability in turbulent times. Emoji evolve alongside society, acting as tiny cultural barometers. Unicode’s selections suggest a world that values specificity, humor, and emotional precision.
What Could Still Change Before Final Approval?
It’s crucial to remember: this is still a draft. The Unicode Consortium often tweaks proposals based on technical feasibility, vendor feedback, or public response. An emoji might be split, merged, or dropped entirely. Past drafts have seen everything from a “face with spiral eyes” to a “boomerang” cut before launch. So while the squinting face and pickle look strong, nothing’s official until the final Emoji 18.0 list drops this fall.
Why You Should Care About Emoji Updates
To some, emoji updates seem trivial. But in a world where a single icon can diffuse tension, express solidarity, or spark joy, these tiny graphics carry outsized impact. They shape how we connect across languages, generations, and screens. The new emoji 2026 lineup—especially the emotionally resonant squinting face and universally beloved pickle—promises to make our digital conversations not just clearer, but more human. Keep your keyboards ready; your future texts just got a lot more expressive.
