Quick Answer
There are a few common reasons why you may not be able to see some emojis on WhatsApp for iPhone:
- Your iPhone is running an older version of iOS that doesn’t support the newer emoji
- The emoji was sent from an Android device which has a different emoji set
- The emoji is displaying as a black and white icon because you don’t have emoji fonts installed
- The emoji is not widely supported across platforms
To fix this, make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version. You can also try installing emoji fonts like EmojiOne to view more emojis properly. Some emojis may not display properly when sent between platforms, unfortunately.
Why Do Emojis Display Differently on iOS and Android?
Emojis can display differently on iOS and Android devices because these platforms handle emojis differently. Here are some key reasons for emoji inconsistencies:
- Different Emoji Sets: Android and iOS use different emoji sets. iOS uses Apple’s emoji set, while Android uses Google’s emoji set and implementation. These sets have their own designs and schemas.
- OS Updates: Android and iOS release operating system updates at different times. New emojis and emoji designs get added in OS updates. If iOS and Android are on different versions, their emoji sets will be inconsistent.
- Vendor Customization: On Android, phone manufacturers can customize how emojis look by creating their own emoji fonts and designs. So an emoji on Samsung may look different than on Pixel or OnePlus.
- Encoding Differences: The way emojis are encoded and processed can differ slightly between iOS and Android, resulting in small design variations.
As a result of these factors, the same emoji can appear quite different when sent between an iPhone and Android phone. The recipient may see something completely unintended by the sender!
Why Are Some Emojis Not Showing Up on My iPhone?
If you see boxes, blocks, or black and white symbols instead of emojis on your iPhone, there are a few possible reasons:
- Outdated iOS Version: If you’re running an outdated version of iOS, your system may not support newer emojis. iOS needs to be updated to use new emoji releases.
- Missing Emoji Font: iOS uses special emoji fonts to render emojis. If these fonts are corrupted or missing, emojis may not show up properly.
- Unsupported Emojis: Some new emojis may not be supported on all platforms yet. If an emoji is too new, older OS versions or apps may not support it.
- Cross-Platform Issues: Emojis sent from Android or other platforms sometimes don’t translate perfectly to iOS. This can cause emoji substitution or missing emojis.
- App Compatibility: Some apps may not be fully updated to handle newer emojis. So emojis may only show up properly when used in iMessage.
To troubleshoot missing emojis on iOS, try updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version. Also check that your emoji fonts are installed and undamaged. Some emojis may just not be supported on your current device or apps unfortunately.
How to Get New Emojis on iPhone
Here are some tips to get new and updated emojis on your iPhone and iOS apps:
- Update iOS – Make sure your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest iOS/iPadOS version. New emoji releases come in firmware updates.
- Update Apps – Update apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Snapchat. Newer app versions add support for new emojis.
- Use Emoji Keyboard – Enable the emoji keyboard in your iOS device settings to access emojis easily.
- Install Emoji Fonts – Add emoji fonts like EmojiOne using font apps to see more emojis.
- Wait for Updates – New emojis are added regularly, but take time to roll out. Be patient if an emoji isn’t supported yet.
- Access Emojis from Other Platforms – Use sites like Emojipedia to copy and paste emojis not on iOS yet.
Following iOS and app updates is key for getting timely access to the latest emoji releases. Some emojis may only be available across platforms after a few months though.
Troubleshooting Tips for Emoji Issues on iPhone
1. Update your iPhone software:
Old iOS versions don’t support newer emojis. Updating to the latest iOS or iPadOS version can help fix missing emoji issues.
2. Reinstall your keyboard dictionaries:
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary. This fixes issues caused by corrupted emoji keyboards.
3. Check app and messenger compatibility:
Some apps may not be updated to support newer emojis. Try the emoji in a different app like iMessage.
4. Restore or repair emoji fonts:
Use font apps to install fresh emoji fonts like EmojiOne. Damaged or outdated fonts cause emoji problems.
5. Toggle Region Settings:
Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > Region. Change to a consistent English-speaking region. Regional settings can affect emojis.
6. Contact the app developer:
If an app isn’t displaying emojis properly, contact the developer. They may need to push app updates to address emoji support.
7. Remove and re-add keyboard:
Remove the Emoji keyboard under Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Then re-add it to troubleshoot issues.
Why Do Some Emojis Appear as Black & White Icons on iPhone?
There are a few reasons why some emojis may appear as black and white icons on iPhones:
- Missing Emoji Fonts – iOS uses special color fonts to display emojis. If these font files are corrupted or missing, emojis may default to black & white.
- Display Bug – Sometimes a system display bug can cause emojis to lose their color and appear black & white temporarily.
- App Compatibility Issues – An app may not be optimized to display emojis properly, resulting in black & white emojis.
- Jailbroken Device – Jailbreaking can cause issues with system files like emoji fonts, leading to black & white icons.
- Sticker Emojis – Some messaging sticker emojis are designed to be black & white icons.
To troubleshoot, try updating iOS, reinstalling emoji fonts, changing emoji keyboards, and using different apps. Check for display bugs too. In rare cases, you may need to factory reset the device to clear out system file corruption.
Do iPhones Have Different Emojis than Android Phones?
Yes, iPhones and Android phones use different emoji designs and sets:
- Apple Emojis – iOS uses Apple’s own emoji set, with unique designs not found on other platforms.
- Google Emojis – Most Android phones use Google’s emoji set and design framework.
- Samsung Emojis – Samsung uses its own emoji set on its Galaxy devices with Samsung One UI.
- New Emojis – Apple and Google release new emojis at different times, causing temporary discrepancies.
- Vendor Differences – Phone manufacturers can customize Android emojis, so emoji design varies across vendors.
As a result, the same emoji can look quite different on an iPhone versus a Samsung or Google Pixel phone. Additionally, new emojis roll out at different times across iOS and Android. This often results in miscommunication and confusion when emojis are sent cross-platform.
Examples of Emoji Differences:
| Emoji | Apple iOS Emoji | Google Android Emoji | Samsung Android Emoji |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grinning Face | 😀 | 😀 | 😀 |
| Heart | ❤️ | ❤️ | ❤️ |
| Santa Claus | 🎅 | 🎅 | 🎅 |
| Unicorn | 🦄 | 🦄 | 🦄 |
| Taco | 🌮 | 🌮 | 🌮 |
As seen above, commonly used emojis are mostly consistent but some vendor differences exist. New and less common emojis are more prone to cross-platform inconsistencies.
How Do I Know if an Emoji Will Show Up Properly on Another Platform?
It’s tricky to predict if an emoji will display consistently across platforms. But here are some tips:
- Use Common Emojis – Stick to the more universally used emojis when possible.
- Check Emojipedia – Look up the emoji on Emojipedia to see visual differences across platforms.
- Google Has More – Since Android has more vendors, iOS emojis are more likely to show up consistently on Android.
- Test First – Try sending the emoji to your intended platform and verify it works as expected.
- Avoid New Emojis – Brand new emoji releases likely won’t translate across platforms until fully adopted.
- Consider Context – Make sure your emoji choice makes sense even if the visuals change slightly.
There’s no foolproof way to guarantee an emoji will appear perfectly across platforms. But being aware of potential inconsistencies can help you pick emojis that convey your meaning even with minor visual differences.
Can I Install iOS Emojis on My Android Phone?
It is possible to install and use iOS emojis on an Android phone:
- Emoji Font Apps – Apps like iEmoji and EmojiOne provide iOS emoji fonts that can be installed on Android.
- iOS Emoji Keyboards – Keyboard apps like ai.type and Kika give iOS emoji options on Android.
- Custom ROMs – Android custom ROMs like CyanogenMod include iOS emoji options.
- Root Access – With root access, the iOS emoji font can be manually installed as a system font.
- Manufacturer Options – Some Android phone brands offer iOS emoji themes built-in or downloadable.
However, compatibility varies across Android devices and OS versions. The iOS emoji designs may not render perfectly in all apps. Stickers and images of iOS emojis can be used alternatively. But overall, Android does allow installing iOS emoji fonts/keyboards to replicate the iPhone experience.
Conclusion
Emoji inconsistencies across iOS and Android can certainly be frustrating. But thankfully there are steps you can take to troubleshoot missing or incorrect emojis on your iPhone. Updating your device, apps, and emoji fonts are key first steps. Getting familiar with cross-platform differences in emoji sets can also help avoid confusion when communicating across ecosystems. While some emojis may not have perfect parity between iOS and Android yet, the situation is improving steadily with new releases.