iOS 27 update: Apple is probably planning a special emoji surprise for your iPhone, details here
Apple is expected to introduce nine new emoji with the iOS 27 update, such as an oblique smiley face, monarch butterfly, and pickle. These additions are currently draft candidates proposed by the Unicode Consortium and are likely to come in a future software update if approved.
Apple may be planning a fun surprise for iPhone users with iOS 27. According to a report by Emojipedia, the Cupertino giant is working on a new batch of emojis, which are likely to arrive on the iPhone in late 2026 or early 2027. In fact, the Unicode Consortium, which is responsible for developing and maintaining universal standards for text and emoji, is already reviewing nine new emoji concepts. If approved, expect Apple to adapt these into its own signature designs and introduce them as part of a future iOS 27 update.
What new emojis are coming in iOS 27?
The Unicode Emoji Standard and Research Working Group has proposed nine new emoji concepts for Emoji 18.0, according to a draft list shared by Emojipedia. These include:
- smiling face with slanted eyes
- left and right thumb sign
- a monarch butterfly
- a pickle
- lighthouse
- a meteor
- an eraser
- A net with a handle, often used to catch insects
Apart from these, the proposal also reportedly includes ten additional skin-tone variations associated with the two original emojis. It’s worth noting that these designs are still in the draft stage and may change before final approval in September 2026. Once the list is locked, Apple will create its own versions to match the familiar iOS emoji style.
When will iOS 27 be released?
As for when Apple will release its next major software update for iPhones, the company traditionally unveils new versions of iOS at its Worldwide Developers Conference, which usually takes place in mid-year, a few months before the iPhone launch in the autumn. Following that pattern, iOS 27 could be previewed around June at WWDC 2026, with the final version arriving with the new iPhones in September.
Apple usually launches a new major version of iOS every September, and if this trend continues, iOS 27 is expected to launch in September 2026.
However, emojis usually arrive a little later than major iOS releases. Historically, Apple adds new Unicode emojis in a point update the following spring. For example, Unicode 17 emoji are expected to arrive with iOS 26.4 in early 2026, while the Unicode 18 set, including these nine proposed emoji, may arrive with iOS 27.4 around March or April 2027.
This means that while iOS 27 will arrive in late 2026, the highly anticipated emoji update may appear a few months later.
How to get the new emoji on iPhone with iOS 27
Once Apple officially adds new emojis, they will be easier to use. Users simply need to update their devices to the latest version of iOS 27 when the emoji pack is released.
Here’s how people will be able to access them:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Download and install the latest iOS update that includes the new emoji
- To start using the emoji keyboard, open it in Messages, WhatsApp, or any other app
Which iPhones will get iOS 27 emoji update?
Apple typically supports iPhones for five to six years, so most models that can run iOS 27 should also receive the emoji update. While the final compatibility list will only be confirmed closer to launch, subsequent devices from the iPhone 13 series are expected to be widely supported.