In the ever - evolving world of digital communication, emojis have become an integral part of how we express ourselves. With the release of iOS 18.4, Apple has once again expanded its emoji library, introducing a set of new symbols that are bound to find their way into our daily conversations. Let's take a closer look at what these new emojis are all about.
The New Emoji Lineup
iOS 18.4 brings a total of eight new emojis to the table. Each of these emojis has its own unique design and potential use cases.
1. Face with Under - Eye Bags 😫
This new emoji is a relatable one for many. It depicts a face with prominent under - eye bags, which can be used to convey exhaustion, a long and tiring day, or simply being sleep - deprived. Whether you're chatting with friends about a late - night study session or a busy workday that's left you drained, this emoji can effectively get your point across. For example, you might send it with a message like "Just finished a 12 - hour shift 😫" or "Up all night working on this project 😫."
2. Fingerprint 👣
The fingerprint emoji adds a touch of uniqueness to the emoji collection. It can be used in various contexts related to security, identity, or even when discussing forensic - like topics. In a conversation about setting up fingerprint - based security on your phone, you could include this emoji: "Finally set up fingerprint unlock on my iPhone 👣." It could also be used metaphorically to represent leaving one's mark or identity in a particular situation.
3. Splash 💦
The splash emoji shows a dynamic image of liquid splashing. This can be used to represent water - related activities such as swimming, diving, or even just splashing around in a puddle. It's perfect for sharing your excitement about a day at the beach: "Can't wait to hit the waves and make some big splashes 💦" or when talking about a fun water fight: "Had an epic water balloon fight, there were splashes everywhere 💦."
4. Root Vegetable 🥔
This emoji represents a generic root vegetable, which could be a potato, turnip, or any other similar vegetable. It can be used in conversations related to cooking, healthy eating, or gardening. If you're sharing a new recipe that features root vegetables, you might add this emoji: "Trying out a new root vegetable stew recipe tonight 🥔." It can also be used in a more general sense when discussing agricultural products or food sources.
5. Bare Tree 🌳
The bare tree emoji depicts a tree without leaves, which can symbolize different things. It could represent the changing seasons, specifically winter when trees lose their foliage. You could use it to describe a winter landscape: "The forest looks so peaceful with all the bare trees 🌳." It can also be used metaphorically to represent a state of barrenness or lack of growth in a non - literal context, like in a conversation about a business that's not thriving.
6. Harp 🎶
The harp emoji is a great addition for those who want to express their love for music or musical instruments. It can be used when talking about classical music, a concert you attended that featured a harpist, or even when simply expressing your admiration for the beauty of the harp's sound. For instance, "Listening to some beautiful harp music right now 🎶" or "The harp performance at the concert was breathtaking 🎶."
7. Shovel 🛠️
The shovel emoji can be used in various scenarios related to manual labor, gardening, or construction. If you're talking about digging a hole in the garden to plant a new tree, you might include this emoji: "Spent the morning using a shovel to prepare the flower bed 🛠️." It can also be used in a more light - hearted way when referring to any task that involves a bit of physical effort, like moving some heavy boxes.
8. Flag of Sark 🇸🇰
The flag of Sark emoji represents the island of Sark, a British Crown Dependency. While it may have a more specific use for those with a connection to Sark or in discussions about British overseas territories, it can also be used in a general sense when talking about different flags, cultures, or geographical locations around the world. For example, "Learning about the different flags of the world, and just discovered the flag of Sark 🇸🇰."
Where Do These Emojis Come From?
These new emojis were first introduced as part of Unicode 16.0, which was released by Google in 2024. Apple has now incorporated them into iOS 18.4, making them accessible to iPhone users. The process of creating new emojis is an interesting one. Anyone can submit ideas for new emojis, and the Unicode Consortium, which is responsible for standardizing emojis, reviews these proposals. In fact, in 2024, the Unicode Consortium proposed nine new emojis for consideration, including a yeti (Bigfoot) and an orca. However, it's up to the Unicode Consortium to decide which emojis will be officially added to the standard in the future.
How to Access the New Emojis
If you have an iPhone running iOS 18.4, accessing these new emojis is as easy as using any other emoji. Simply open the keyboard in any app where you can type text, such as Messages, Notes, or Instagram. Then, tap on the emoji button (usually a smiley face icon) to open the emoji keyboard. You should be able to find the new emojis within the various emoji categories. They might be grouped with similar - themed emojis, for example, the face with under - eye bags in the "Smileys & People" category, the harp in the "Activities" category, and the root vegetable in the "Food & Drink" category.
The new emojis in iOS 18.4 offer iPhone users more ways to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a fun and visual way. Whether you're excited about using the new face with under - eye bags emoji to show your tiredness or want to share your love for music with the harp emoji, these new additions are sure to enhance your digital conversations. So, go ahead and start using these new emojis to add a little more personality to your messages!