Microsoft Updates Windows 10 Emoji to Resemble Apple's Collection - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Microsoft Updates Windows 10 Emoji to Resemble Apple's Collection

by

Microsoft has included several redesigned emoji in Windows 10 that resemble Apple's emoji found on iPhone, iPad and Mac, including a wide range of faces and even the "sassy" information desk person (via Emojipedia). The update also includes skin tone modifiers, the middle finger, a new haircut emoji and more, although country flags are still not supported on the upcoming operating system.

Apple vs Microsoft Emojis
Windows 10 is currently available in beta for developers and is expected to be released to the public in July. The latest version of Windows will deliver a unified experience and platform integration that will make it easy to put one device down and continue where you left off on another device. The software update will be free for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 users for the first year.

Many emoji character sets have been incorporated into Unicode, resulting in the icons being standardized across multiple platforms such as iOS, Android, OS X and Windows. The exact appearance of emojis is then left up to companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google and Twitter to decide. In this case, Microsoft's redesigned emoji and the addition of skin tone modifiers is more uniform with Apple's collection.

Top Rated Comments

142 months ago
Aren't Emoji's cross platform? So Windows, Android, OS X, iOS etc all need to have similar emoticons or what one user sends to another will be understandable?

I don't want to sent :roll eyes: and have it come through as :mad:
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Crosscreek Avatar
142 months ago
They also include these.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
142 months ago
First off, they don't look anywhere similar.

Secondly, they're Emoji. They're supposed to be similar so everyone knows what you're trying to say.

Third, I'm pretty sure Apple didn't invent the yellow circular face smiley.

At least they look better than Android's green robots.

Also, I hate that the FaceBook and Twitter websites force themselves to show their own custom versions instead of Apple's.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
142 months ago
Isn't that the point?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
142 months ago
I actually prefer the Windows 10 versions. Kudos to Microsoft for getting it right.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JasonElise1983 Avatar
142 months ago
Glad to see MS Paint still getting some use
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...