🎉 How to Get New Emojis on Your iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide 🎉
Emojis have become an integral part of our digital communication. They add emotion, context, and personality to our messages, social media posts, and emails. With each iOS update, Apple introduces a fresh batch of emojis, keeping our digital conversations fun and expressive. If you’re eager to get your hands on the latest emojis and spice up your texts, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps required to get new emojis on your iPhone.
## Why Aren’t You Seeing New Emojis?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s understand why you might not be seeing the newest emojis. The main reason is that emoji support is tied to your iPhone’s operating system (iOS). Every major iOS release typically includes new emoji characters. Therefore, if your iPhone is running an older version of iOS, it won’t have the latest emoji set.
Another important factor is that both the sender and receiver need to have devices that support the latest emoji for them to display correctly. If you send a new emoji to someone with an older device, they might see a blank square, a question mark, or a completely different, older emoji instead.
## How to Get the Newest Emojis: A Detailed Guide
Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you have the latest and greatest emojis on your iPhone:
### Step 1: Check Your Current iOS Version
The first step is to verify which version of iOS your iPhone is currently running. This will determine whether you need to update your device.
1. **Open the Settings app:** Locate the Settings icon on your home screen (it looks like a gear) and tap it.
2. **Navigate to General:** Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. **Select About:** Tap on “About.” This screen displays detailed information about your iPhone, including the software version.
4. **Locate the Version number:** Look for the “Version” entry. The number displayed next to it is your current iOS version. For example, it might say “Version 17.4.1.”
Make a note of your current iOS version. You’ll need this information to determine if an update is available.
### Step 2: Determine if an iOS Update is Available
Now that you know your current iOS version, you need to check if a newer version is available for download. This is crucial because the latest iOS updates bring the new emojis.
1. **Go back to the General settings:** If you’re not already there, navigate back to the “General” settings screen (Settings > General).
2. **Tap on Software Update:** Select “Software Update.” Your iPhone will automatically start checking for available updates.
3. **Wait for the Check to Complete:** It may take a few moments for your iPhone to check for updates. Be patient while it searches.
4. **Review Available Updates:**
* **If an update is available:** You’ll see a screen detailing the available update, including the iOS version number and a brief description of the changes and new features. The availability of new emojis is usually (but not always explicitly) mentioned as part of these updates. Pay attention to the version number; the higher the number compared to your current version, the more significant the update is likely to be.
* **If your software is up to date:** You’ll see a message that says “Your software is up to date.” This means you already have the latest iOS version and, therefore, the most recent emojis available for your device. If you still aren’t seeing specific new emojis you expected, it could be due to the other reasons detailed in later sections of this guide, such as needing to change keyboard settings.
### Step 3: Back Up Your iPhone (Highly Recommended)
Before installing any software update, it’s extremely important to back up your iPhone. This ensures that your data (photos, videos, contacts, messages, etc.) is safe in case something goes wrong during the update process. While rare, software updates can sometimes encounter errors, and having a backup can save you from potential data loss and headaches. Here are a few methods to backup your device:
**Option 1: Back Up to iCloud**
1. **Connect to Wi-Fi:** Make sure your iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Backing up over cellular data can be slow and expensive.
2. **Open the Settings app:** Launch the Settings app from your home screen.
3. **Tap on Your Name:** At the top of the Settings screen, tap on your name (Apple ID, iCloud, Media & Purchases).
4. **Select iCloud:** Tap on “iCloud.”
5. **Choose iCloud Backup:** Scroll down and tap on “iCloud Backup.”
6. **Tap Back Up Now:** Tap the “Back Up Now” button. If iCloud Backup is turned off, toggle it on first and then tap “Back Up Now.”
7. **Wait for the Backup to Complete:** The backup process may take some time depending on the amount of data on your iPhone and the speed of your internet connection. Make sure your iPhone remains connected to Wi-Fi and plugged into a power source during the backup. You can monitor the progress of the backup on the screen.
**Option 2: Back Up to Your Computer (Mac or PC)**
1. **Connect Your iPhone to Your Computer:** Use a Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to your computer (Mac or PC).
2. **Trust This Computer:** If prompted on your iPhone, tap “Trust This Computer” and enter your passcode.
3. **Open Finder (on Mac running macOS Catalina or later):** If you’re using a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder.
4. **Open iTunes (on Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier or on a PC):** If you’re using a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier or a PC, open iTunes.
5. **Select Your iPhone:** In Finder or iTunes, locate and select your iPhone in the sidebar (it should appear under “Locations” in Finder or in the top-left corner of iTunes).
6. **Choose Back Up Now:**
* **In Finder:** Click on the “General” tab and then click the “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac” option. You can also choose to encrypt your backup for added security.
* **In iTunes:** Click on the “Summary” tab and then click the “Back Up Now” button. You can also choose to encrypt your backup.
7. **Wait for the Backup to Complete:** The backup process may take some time depending on the amount of data on your iPhone and the speed of your computer. Keep your iPhone connected to your computer during the backup.
### Step 4: Download and Install the iOS Update
Once you’ve backed up your iPhone, you’re ready to download and install the iOS update that includes the new emojis. It’s crucial to ensure you have a stable internet connection and sufficient battery life (at least 50%) before proceeding.
1. **Go back to Software Update:** Navigate back to the “Software Update” screen (Settings > General > Software Update).
2. **Tap Download and Install:** If an update is available, you’ll see a “Download and Install” button. Tap on it.
3. **Read the Terms and Conditions:** You may be presented with the terms and conditions of the software update. Read them carefully and tap “Agree” to proceed.
4. **Enter Your Passcode (if prompted):** You may be asked to enter your iPhone’s passcode to confirm the update.
5. **Wait for the Download to Complete:** The download process may take some time depending on the size of the update and the speed of your internet connection. You can continue using your iPhone while the update downloads in the background, but performance may be slightly affected.
6. **Tap Install Now:** Once the download is complete, you’ll see an “Install Now” button. Tap on it to begin the installation process. Alternatively, you can choose “Install Tonight” to have the update installed automatically overnight while your iPhone is charging.
7. **Let the Installation Complete:** The installation process will take several minutes. Your iPhone will restart automatically during the installation. **Do not interrupt the installation process.** Turning off your iPhone or disconnecting it from power during installation can cause serious problems.
8. **Enter Your Passcode After Restart:** Once the installation is complete and your iPhone restarts, you’ll be prompted to enter your passcode.
### Step 5: Verify the New Emojis are Available
After your iPhone has successfully updated to the latest iOS version, it’s time to verify that the new emojis are indeed available.
1. **Open a Messaging App:** Open any messaging app, such as iMessage, WhatsApp, or Messenger.
2. **Access the Emoji Keyboard:** Tap on the text input field to bring up the keyboard, then tap on the emoji icon (usually located near the bottom-left corner of the keyboard – it looks like a smiley face or a globe). Alternatively, long-press the globe icon on the keyboard, then slide your finger to the “Emoji” option and release. This is only necessary if you have multiple keyboards enabled.
3. **Browse the Emoji Library:** Scroll through the emoji library to see if you can find the new emojis. They are typically located at the end of the emoji list or within relevant categories (e.g., smiley faces & people, animals & nature, food & drink, etc.).
4. **Search for Specific Emojis (if you know the name):** Use the search bar (if available in your emoji keyboard) to search for specific emojis by name. This can be a quick way to find a particular new emoji if you know its name.
If you can see the new emojis, congratulations! You have successfully updated your iPhone and gained access to the latest emoji characters.
### Step 6: Understanding Emoji Keyboard Settings and Enabling Predictive Emoji
Sometimes, even after updating to the latest iOS, you might still have trouble accessing or using new emojis. This could be due to your keyboard settings. Here’s how to check and adjust your keyboard settings:
1. **Open the Settings app:** Launch the Settings app from your home screen.
2. **Navigate to General:** Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. **Select Keyboard:** Tap on “Keyboard.”
4. **Check Keyboard Settings:**
* **Keyboards:** Tap on “Keyboards” to see a list of your active keyboards. Make sure the “Emoji” keyboard is enabled. If it’s not, tap “Add New Keyboard…” and select “Emoji” from the list.
* **Text Replacement:** Check the “Text Replacement” settings. This feature allows you to create shortcuts for frequently used phrases, including emojis. You can create shortcuts for the new emojis if you wish.
* **Predictive:** Ensure that the “Predictive” toggle is enabled. This feature suggests emojis based on the words you type, making it easier to find relevant emojis while typing. With predictive emoji enabled, the iPhone suggests emojis that are related to the words you are typing, further easing emoji integration into daily communications.
By adjusting these keyboard settings, you can ensure that you have easy access to all the emojis available on your iPhone.
## Troubleshooting: What to Do If You Still Can’t See New Emojis
Even after following all the steps above, you might still encounter issues with seeing the new emojis. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help resolve the problem:
* **Restart Your iPhone:** A simple restart can often fix minor software glitches. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
* **Check for Carrier Settings Update:** In rare cases, carrier settings updates can affect emoji support. To check for a carrier settings update, go to Settings > General > About. If an update is available, you’ll be prompted to install it.
* **Reset Keyboard Dictionary:** Resetting your keyboard dictionary can sometimes resolve emoji-related issues. To reset the keyboard dictionary, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary. Note that this will erase any custom words you’ve added to your keyboard dictionary.
* **Ensure the Recipient Also Has the Update:** Remind the person you’re sending emojis to that they need to update to the latest iOS for full compatibility.
* **Check for Beta Software:** If you are running beta software, emoji support might be inconsistent or incomplete. Consider switching to a stable release of iOS.
* **Contact Apple Support:** If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and still can’t see the new emojis, contact Apple Support for assistance. They may be able to diagnose and resolve the issue.
## Beyond the Update: Exploring Emoji Features
Once you have the latest emojis, take some time to explore the various emoji features available on your iPhone:
* **Memoji:** Create personalized animated emojis that look like you. You can customize your Memoji’s features, clothing, and accessories.
* **Animoji:** Use your facial expressions to control animated characters like animals, robots, and aliens. Animoji are available on iPhones with Face ID.
* **Emoji Reactions in iMessage:** React to messages in iMessage with a tap to quickly express your feelings. You can choose from a variety of reactions, such as a heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, and more.
* **Emoji Stickers:** Use emojis as stickers in your messages. You can drag and drop emojis onto photos and videos to add some fun and flair.
* **Emoji Search:** Quickly find the emoji you’re looking for by using the search function in the emoji keyboard. Just type a keyword, and the keyboard will display relevant emojis.
## Conclusion
Getting the newest emojis on your iPhone is a simple process that mainly involves updating to the latest version of iOS. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that you have access to all the latest and greatest emoji characters. Remember to back up your iPhone before installing any software updates to protect your data. And don’t forget to explore the various emoji features available on your iPhone to enhance your digital communication. So go ahead, update your iPhone, and start expressing yourself with the latest emojis!