Apple has officially rolled out iOS 18.4, the latest update to its mobile operating system, and it comes with a wave of new features — including a set of fresh emojis and an innovative way to create personalized symbols. However, not all iPhone users will be able to enjoy everything the update has to offer.

Alongside improvements linked to the Apple Intelligence system, iOS 18.4 introduces eight new emojis to the iPhone emoji library. Among the additions are a fingerprint icon, a purple paint splatter, a harp, and the flag of Sark — a small Channel Island situated between France and the United Kingdom.

One of the most eye-catching additions is a new smiley: a tired-looking face with under-eye bags, dubbed the “Face with Puffy Eyes.” It’s designed to reflect exhaustion or feeling drained, and adds to the growing list of expressive emojis that users rely on in digital conversations.

Climate Message in Emoji Form

Another notable emoji included in this update is a leafless tree. Its purpose goes beyond aesthetics — it’s intended to raise awareness about the increasing droughts linked to climate change. As visual language continues to evolve, emojis like these play a role in highlighting real-world issues in subtle but effective ways.

These new emojis aren’t just limited to Apple devices. They were initially approved by the Unicode Consortium last fall, and are part of a broader emoji rollout across multiple platforms, including those from Google and Samsung. The Unicode Consortium is responsible for maintaining the universal character standard that ensures emojis appear consistently across different devices and systems.

Meet “Genmoji”: Apple’s Take on Custom Emojis

Perhaps the most exciting part of the iOS 18.4 update is the introduction of Genmoji — customizable emojis that users can create themselves using Apple Intelligence. To generate a Genmoji, users simply type or speak a description into the emoji keyboard. The system then creates a unique icon based on that input.

These user-generated emojis can be shared as stickers, added to messages, or even sent as Tapbacks — Apple’s quick response feature in Messages. It opens up a whole new level of personalization in how people express themselves on their iPhones.

But There’s a Catch

While the concept of Genmoji is groundbreaking, it’s not available to all iPhone users. The feature requires Apple Intelligence, which is currently supported only on the iPhone 16 lineup and the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Older models, unfortunately, don’t have the processing power necessary to run the new AI features.

This hardware limitation may leave many iPhone owners feeling left out, but it also signals a new direction for Apple — one where artificial intelligence plays a central role in the user experience.

As iOS continues to evolve, it’s clear that Apple is not just focusing on functionality but also on helping users communicate in more creative and expressive ways. With a mix of cultural symbols, environmental awareness, and cutting-edge customization tools, iOS 18.4 is a step forward — even if only a portion of the Apple community can access all of its capabilities.