Get Apple’s New Emojis on Android

Apple’s iOS updates always bring a fresh batch of emojis, and Android users often have to wait months—or miss out entirely—because of carrier and manufacturer update delays. This guide shows you how to get those new Apple emojis on your Android phone today, without waiting for a system update. You’ll be able to use the latest emoji in any app that supports the standard Unicode emoji set.

What You’ll Need

• An Android phone running Android 7.0 or newer (most phones from the last 5+ years qualify).
• A stable internet connection to download the emoji font and keyboard app.
• About 10–15 minutes of your time.
• Optional: A file manager app (most phones have one built-in) if you choose the manual font method.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Use a Third-Party Keyboard (Easiest)

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Search for a keyboard app that advertises “Apple emojis” or “iOS emoji.” Popular options include “Emoji Keyboard – Cute Emojis” or “Facemoji Emoji Keyboard.” Read the descriptions to confirm they include the latest Apple-style emoji.
3. Install the keyboard app of your choice.
4. Open the app and follow its setup instructions. Usually, you’ll need to:
   • Go to Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard (or similar path).
   • Enable the new keyboard by toggling it on.
   • Select it as your default keyboard when prompted.
5. Open any messaging app (like WhatsApp or Telegram) and tap the emoji icon on the keyboard. You should see the Apple-style emojis, including the latest additions.
6. If the keyboard doesn’t show the newest emojis, check the app’s settings for an “emoji update” or “download latest emoji pack” option.

Method 2: Install a Custom Emoji Font (Root or Non-Root)

This method replaces your system’s emoji font with Apple’s, so the new emojis appear in every app—not just your keyboard. It’s more technical but gives the most complete result.

1. Download a zip file containing Apple’s emoji font (usually named AppleColorEmoji.ttf) from a trusted source. Search for “Apple emoji font Android zip” on a reputable tech forum or GitHub repository.
2. Extract the zip file to get the .ttf font file.
3. If your phone is rooted:
   • Use a root file manager (like Solid Explorer or Mixplorer) to copy the font file to /system/fonts/.
   • Back up the original NotoColorEmoji.ttf first (rename it to .bak).
   • Rename the Apple font to NotoColorEmoji.ttf and set permissions to 644 (rw-r–r–).
   • Reboot your phone.
4. If your phone is not rooted:
   • Use a tool like “Emoji Font Changer” (available on the Play Store) that works without root. It uses a virtual font or accessibility service to override the system font.
   • Open the app, select the Apple emoji font file you downloaded, and follow its instructions to apply it.
   • Reboot your phone or restart the app.
5. After reboot, open any app and test the emoji. If they don’t change, you may need to clear the cache of the app you’re testing (Settings → Apps → [App] → Storage → Clear Cache).

Method 3: Use a Custom ROM (Advanced)

1. Unlock your phone’s bootloader and install a custom recovery like TWRP.
2. Install a custom ROM that includes Apple emojis by default, such as some AOSP-based ROMs with “iOS emoji” options.
3. Follow the ROM’s installation instructions carefully. This will wipe your data, so back up first.

Common Mistakes

• Not updating the keyboard app: Even if you install a keyboard, it may not have the latest emoji until you update it from the Play Store.
• Using the wrong font file: Some font files are outdated. Always download the latest version that includes the newest Unicode emoji (e.g., Unicode 15.1).
• Skipping the reboot: After applying a font, you must reboot your phone for the change to take effect.
• Choosing a non-root method on a rooted phone: If you’re rooted, use the direct font replacement method—it’s more reliable than a non-root workaround.

Tips

• Check the Unicode version: Apple’s new emojis are based on the Unicode standard. Make sure the font you download supports the latest Unicode version (e.g., 15.1 for 2024 emojis).
• Use a keyboard that lets you switch between emoji styles. Some keyboards (like Gboard) have a setting to use “iOS emoji” without installing a separate app.
• If you use the font method, keep a backup of your original font so you can easily revert.
• Test in multiple apps: Some apps (like older versions of Snapchat) may not support custom emoji fonts and will show blank boxes.

Troubleshooting

• Emojis show as blank squares or boxes: This means the font file is corrupted or not compatible. Re-download the font from a different source and try again.
• Emojis don’t change after applying the font: Clear the cache of the app you’re testing (Settings → Apps → [App] → Storage → Clear Cache). If that doesn’t work, reboot your phone again.
• Keyboard doesn’t show new emojis: Go to the keyboard’s settings and check for an “emoji update” option. If none exists, the keyboard may not support the latest Unicode version—try a different keyboard app.
• Phone gets stuck in a boot loop after font replacement: This is rare but possible. Boot into recovery mode (usually holding Power + Volume Down) and restore the original font from your backup, or reflash your ROM.
• Non-root method doesn’t work: Some phones (especially Samsung) have stricter font restrictions. Try a different non-root app, or consider using a keyboard-only solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get the exact same emojis as on iPhone?

Yes, if you use the font replacement method, you’ll get the exact Apple emoji designs. However, some apps may render emojis using their own font (like Twitter or Facebook), so they might still show the platform’s native style.

Do I need to root my phone?

No. The easiest method (third-party keyboard) doesn’t require root. The font replacement method works without root on many phones using apps like “Emoji Font Changer,” but root gives the most reliable result.

Will this slow down my phone?

No, changing the emoji font has no noticeable impact on performance.

Can I go back to the original Android emojis?

Yes. If you used a keyboard, just switch back to your old keyboard. If you replaced the font, restore the original font file (you backed it up, right?) or uninstall the font changer app.

Why don’t some new emojis appear even after I update?

Your keyboard or font might not support the latest Unicode version. Check the app’s update notes or the font’s documentation. Also, some emojis are only available on newer Android versions (like Android 12+) due to system limitations.

Is this legal?

Apple’s emoji designs are copyrighted, but using them for personal, non-commercial purposes on your own device is generally considered acceptable. Distributing the font files may violate Apple’s terms, so download from community sources that have permission.

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