With iOS 26.4, Apple is once again expanding the emoji selection on its devices. The latest developer beta of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 includes several new emoji characters. A total of seven new emojis are being added.
The new symbols are based on the Unicode 17 update, which the Unicode Consortium presented in the fall of 2025. As usual, new emojis will only appear on Apple devices a few months after their official standardization.
Apple doesn't adopt new emojis immediately after their release by the Unicode Consortium. For each emoji, the company creates a unique design that fits the style of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
This process takes several months. That's why new emojis from Apple often don't appear until spring with so-called .4 updates. iOS 26.4 also follows this established release pattern.
New emojis in iOS 26.4
The fourth beta version of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4, which Apple is currently making available to developers, introduces seven new emoji characters. The new emojis include:
- Trombone
- Treasure chest
- Distorted face
- Hairy creature (Bigfoot / Sasquatch)
- Battle Cloud
- Orca
- Landslide
These new symbols expand the existing emoji collection with additional motifs from the areas of nature, objects and fantasy figures.
New variations of existing emojis
In addition to completely new symbols, iOS 26.4 also adds further options to existing emojis. New features include:
- Additional skin tones for the emojis "wrestler" and "dancer with bunny ears"
- A gender-neutral version of the "ballet dancer" emoji
These changes are intended to make the emoji selection more diverse.
iOS 26.4 brings new emojis to Apple devices
The current beta of iOS 26.4 reveals which new emojis Apple plans to integrate into this update. A total of seven new emoji characters will be added, along with additional variations of existing emojis.
The new symbols are based on the Unicode 17 standard and follow Apple's usual update cycle, where new emojis often appear in the spring with a .4 update. This expands the emoji library on iPhone, iPad, and Mac once again with several new ways to express yourself. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Apfelpatient)
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