iOS 15.4 Emojis: Which New Ones Are You Actually Using?

When Apple released iOS 15.4 in March 2022, it added 37 new emoji characters plus several gender and skin-tone variations. The ones people actually use most are the melting face, the heart on fire, and the biting lip — but the biggest surprise is the pregnant man, which became a meme and a favorite for jokes. This article breaks down the full list, explains how to get them, and helps you pick the ones worth adding to your daily texting vocabulary.

What Exactly Did iOS 15.4 Add?

The iOS 15.4 update brought 37 new emoji to the standard Unicode 14.0 set. That number includes 32 entirely new characters and 5 reclassified ones (like the old “face with medical mask” getting a more accurate design). The full list spans faces, hands, animals, food, objects, and symbols. Some highlights:

Faces: melting face, biting lip, face with open eyes and hand over mouth, face with peeking eye, saluting face, dotted line face, face with diagonal mouth, face with bags under eyes
Hands: palm up hand, palm down hand, heart hands, hand with index finger and thumb crossed
Hearts & symbols: heart on fire, mending heart, empty nest, nesting dolls, low battery, bubbles, mirror ball, play/pause buttons (reclassified)
Animals & nature: moose, donkey, goose, jellyfish, lotus, coral, blackbird, beetle
Food & objects: ginger root, pea pod, pouring liquid, beans, playground slide, wheel, ring buoy, crutch, X-ray, bubbles, keyboard (reclassified)
People: pregnant man, pregnant person, crown (reclassified)

All human emoji also got new skin tone options, and the gender-neutral “person” variants were added for the pregnant characters.

How to Get the New Emojis on Your iPhone

To see the new emojis, you need to be running iOS 15.4 or later. Here’s how to check and update:

Open Settings > General > Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Once installed, open any app that uses the emoji keyboard (Messages, Notes, etc.).
Tap the globe or smiley icon to switch to the emoji keyboard.
Search for a new emoji by typing its name (e.g., “melting”) in the search bar above the keyboard.

If you don’t see the new emojis after updating, try restarting your phone or toggling the emoji keyboard off and on in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards.

Why the Melting Face and Heart on Fire Are So Popular

The melting face (😩) quickly became a favorite for expressing exhaustion, heat, or existential dread. It’s a visual upgrade from the crying-laughing face for those “I’m dying” moments. The heart on fire (❤️‍🔥) is used to convey intense passion, whether it’s for a person, a food, or a new TV show. The biting lip (🫦) is often used flirtatiously or to show nervousness. These three are the most commonly seen in everyday texting because they fill emotional gaps that older emojis didn’t cover.

How to Choose Which New Emojis to Use

You don’t have to use all 37. Pick the ones that match your texting style:

If you’re dramatic: melting face, face with bags under eyes, face with diagonal mouth
If you’re romantic: heart on fire, mending heart, heart hands
If you’re a jokester: pregnant man, saluting face, peeking eye
If you love nature: moose, goose, jellyfish, lotus, coral
If you’re practical: low battery, bubbles, wheel, crutch, X-ray

Consider the recipient: the pregnant man emoji is funny among friends but might confuse in a professional context. The melting face is universally understood, while the nesting dolls might only make sense to certain people.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the new emojis are exclusive to iOS 15.4. In reality, they’re part of Unicode 14.0, so Android and other platforms also support them — but the designs differ. An Android user might see a different-looking melting face than an iPhone user. Another issue is that some older devices (iPhone 6s and earlier) can’t upgrade to iOS 15, so they won’t see the new emojis at all. If you send a new emoji to someone on an older OS, they may see a blank box or a question mark.

Another problem: the “pregnant man” emoji caused confusion because it’s not meant to be literal. It’s a gender-neutral representation of pregnancy, but many people use it as a joke. If you’re worried about misinterpretation, stick to the pregnant woman (🤰) for actual pregnancy announcements.

Comparing iOS 15.4 Emojis to Android and Other Platforms

While the character set is the same, each platform has its own visual style. Apple’s designs are known for their detailed, glossy look, while Google’s (Android) are more cartoonish and flat. Samsung’s are more colorful, and Twitter’s (now X) have their own custom set. This means a heart on fire might look like a realistic flame on iOS but a cartoon flame on Android. If you’re texting across platforms, the emotion still comes through, but the visual nuance differs. For example, the biting lip emoji on Apple looks like a close-up of lips with teeth, while on some Android devices it’s a more abstract face.

Are There Any Costs or Safety Concerns?

The new emojis are free — they come with the iOS update, which is also free. There are no in-app purchases or hidden costs. As for safety, emojis themselves are harmless, but be aware that some new ones (like the pregnant man) can be used inappropriately or offensively. Also, the “face with hand over mouth” and “peeking eye” emojis might be used to imply secrecy or surveillance, which could be misread. Always consider the context and the recipient’s sensitivity.

Alternatives: What If You Don’t Want to Update?

If you can’t or don’t want to update to iOS 15.4, you can still use emojis from earlier sets. The new ones are nice, but not essential. You can also use text-based emoticons like :), :(, or 😉 to convey emotion. Some third-party keyboards (like Gboard) offer custom emoji stickers that work on older iOS versions, but they don’t integrate as seamlessly with the system. If you’re on an older device, you might also consider using a workaround like copying emoji from a website and pasting them, but they’ll often appear as blank boxes if your OS doesn’t support them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the new emojis on my iPhone?

Update to iOS 15.4 or later via Settings > General > Software Update. Once updated, the new emojis appear in your emoji keyboard automatically.

Why can’t I see the new emojis after updating?

Try restarting your phone. If that doesn’t work, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and remove the Emoji keyboard, then add it back. Also, make sure the app you’re using supports the new emoji (most do after a short delay).

Are the new emojis the same on Android?

No, the characters are the same but the visual designs differ. Android devices running Android 12 or later support Unicode 14.0, but the emojis look different from Apple’s.

What does the melting face emoji mean?

It’s used to express extreme heat, exhaustion, embarrassment, or a feeling of being overwhelmed. It can also be used humorously to say “I’m dying” (from laughter or stress).

Is the pregnant man emoji meant to be real?

No, it’s a gender-neutral representation of pregnancy. It’s often used as a joke or to make a statement about gender roles, but it’s not meant to be a literal depiction of a man being pregnant.

Can I use the new emojis on older iOS versions?

No, you need iOS 15.4 or later. Older versions don’t recognize Unicode 14.0 characters, so they’ll show as blank boxes or question marks.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →