Apple is expected to expand its emoji repertoire with the upcoming iOS 17.4 update, potentially introducing nine new emoji characters later this year. According to a report titled “Apple Could Bring These Nine New Emojis to Your iPhone with iOS 17,” published by Startup News FYI, the additions are based on the latest Unicode Consortium recommendations and could arrive with the software update slated for release in March 2024.
The new emoji candidates include a lime, an edible brown mushroom, a phoenix, a broken chain, a vertical head shake, and several gender variants featuring directionally shaking heads. These designs were approved in September 2023 as part of Unicode 15.1, the latest standard governing the global emoji lexicon. Apple’s implementation of these emojis would follow customary visual adaptations to match its distinctive iOS design language.
As with previous releases, the rollout of new emojis is more than a playful refinement to the user interface—it underscores Apple’s ongoing commitment to digital inclusivity and communication nuance. Emojis have become integral to online expression, used across platforms and age demographics to convey everything from emotions to abstract concepts.
Apple typically adopts new emoji characters several months after the Unicode Consortium finalizes its updates. Hardware compatibility, regional customization, and accessibility are all factored into the design and release strategy. If iOS 17.4 follows precedent, users can expect the new emoji additions to be available across iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices through a simple software update later in the first quarter of 2024.
The anticipated iOS update is expected to enter developer and public beta testing in the coming weeks. Apple has not yet confirmed the full roster of emoji characters or an official release date, but similar updates in the past suggest an early spring launch is likely.
As tech companies continue to address user demand for more expressive and inclusive communication tools, updates like these—while seemingly minor—reflect broader cultural shifts in how we connect and express ourselves in digital life. The nine emoji designs awaiting integration are likely to find immediate use across messaging platforms, social media, and beyond.
