70+ New Emoji Characters to Be Included in Upcoming iOS 12.1 Update - MacRumors
Skip to Content

70+ New Emoji Characters to Be Included in Upcoming iOS 12.1 Update

Apple today announced that the iOS 12.1 update, which is currently being beta tested by developers and public beta testers, will include the new Unicode 11 emoji.

Apple first promised new emoji were coming on World Emoji Day back in July, but the new characters were not included in the original iOS 12 update.

unicode11emoji1
Apple plans to introduce more than 70 new emoji characters, with options for red hair, gray hair, curly hair, and no hair, along with smiley faces that include cold face, party face, pleading face, and face with hearts.

unicode11emoji2
Super heroes, an eye-shaped nazar amulet, and an infinity symbol will be added, along with new animals such as kangaroo, peacock, parrot, and lobster. New food items include mango, lettuce, cupcake, and moon cake, with a full list of new Unicode 11 emoji available from Emojipedia.

unicode11emoji3
Apple says that it is working with the Unicode Consortium to add additional disability-themed emoji to Unicode 12, which is set to be released in 2019.

Developers can get the new emoji right now by downloading the iOS 12.1 update, and Apple says the software will also be available for public beta testers later in the day.

Related Forum: iOS 12

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Saturday May 9, 2026 6:03 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
Apple Watch Series 10 Jet Black Touch ID

Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27: What to Expect Later This Year

Friday May 8, 2026 2:07 pm PDT by
While not too much has been reported about the next Apple Watch models, there are a few rumors about potential design changes and watchOS 27 features. Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are expected to be released in September, and we have outlined some of the key rumored hardware and software changes below. A new Apple Watch SE is not expected this year, as that model was...

Top Rated Comments

99 months ago
So many emojis and still no search bar.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
99 months ago
I'm glad such a ground breaking new feature requires its own press release.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
99 months ago
Kill me now.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
testcard Avatar
99 months ago
Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for a lobster emoji?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ferretex Avatar
99 months ago
I really don’t need new emojis. I want my battery life back. Simple.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BaltimoreMediaBlog Avatar
99 months ago
Another Tim Cook moment... Shiny Things, Shiny Things! :D
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)