๐ข โEmoji 18.0
Status: Draft Candidates for Emoji 18.0 (2026/2027)
Expected Release: September 2026
Previous Release: Emoji v17.0
Whatโs New in Emoji 18.0 (2026)
The latest Emoji 18.0 draft includes 19 total candidates. This update features 9 brand-new concepts and 10 skin tone variations, refined by the Unicode Emoji Subcommittee to fill specific gaps in nature and expression.
Emoji 18.0 Drafts & Future Usage
- ๐ซซ Cracking Face: A 2026 standout symbolizing emotional resilience or “breaking” under pressure. Gen-Z may use it, for example in the ๐ combination, to represent the โIโm fineโ memeโsomeone appearing happy on the outside while actually feeling overwhelmed or cracking under pressure.
- ๐ซ Pickle: Beyond deli culture and “in a pickle” idioms, this icon is widely expected to join ๐ Eggplant and ๐ Banana as a common phallic euphemism.
- ๐ซ Monarch Butterfly: A detailed alternative to ๐ฆ Butterfly, representing migration, environmental conservation, and transformation.
- ๐ Lighthouse: A beacon for nautical themes, safety, or “seeing the light” at the end of a difficult journey.
- ๐ช Meteor: Distinct from the current โ๏ธ Comet, signifying specific astronomical events or a “meteoric” rise to success.
- ๐ช Eraser: Represents school and office life, serving metaphorically as a symbol for “starting over” or wiping the slate clean.
- ๐ช Net with Handle: Ideal for hobbies like fishing or bug catching, or metaphorically “capturing” a fleeting opportunity.
- ๐ซน Leftward Thumb Sign/๐ซบ Rightward Thumb Sign: Functional directional gestures used for “swipe” instructions, navigation, or pointing toward specific content. Each of these signs supports the standard five skin tone modifiers, effectively adding 10 distinct emoji variations to the set.
Major Draft Revisions
The Apple Core was originally proposed for inclusion in Emoji 17.0 in late 2024. It was removed from the Emoji 17.0 draft list in early 2025 and moved to the Emoji 18.0 candidates instead. In October 2025, it was officially recommended for removal from the Emoji 18.0 draft list, effectively ending its chances for a standard release at that time.
In January 2026, the proposed Face With Squinting Eyes was officially removed. Its assigned Unicode code point was reassigned to the new Cracking Face emoji, designed to signify emotional strain or “cracking” under pressure.
Release Timeline & Compatibility
While the Unicode 18.0 standards will be finalized in late 2026, users can expect these icons to arrive on major platforms and devices throughout late 2026 and early 2027.