New emoji in Apple’s iOS 26.4 update, including Bigfoot and Orca
Apple introduces 9 new emojis in iOS 26.4.
The latest developer beta of iOS 26.4 has just been released, bringing a long-awaited set of emojis to the iPhone keyboard. While we often see these updates in the spring, this particular version seems a bit more eclectic than usual.
To be more specific, the fourth developer beta of iOS 26.4 adds the following emoji:
- Ballet Dancers
- Bigfoot
- Distorted Face
- Fight Cloud
- Landslide
- Orca
- Treasure Chest
- Trombone
While the headlines focus on all-new characters, the update includes 163 designs in total. The vast majority are skin-tone variations designed to broaden the existing library. You’ll see these expanded options for wrestling figures and people with bunny ears, ensuring the entire set is consistent with the rest of Apple’s catalog.
Apple usually follows a predictable rhythm when releasing these symbols. In the fall, when the Unicode Consortium approves new symbols, the company spends several months illustrating them in its trademark glossy style. Releasing them with the fourth update has become a tradition that keeps the keyboard fresh throughout the year-long iOS lifecycle.
Even with the rise of Genmoji and AI-generated icons, classic emoji remain the primary language of our digital conversation. They ensure that your “melting face” or the new “orca” look the same whether you’re texting on an iPhone, Android, or a laptop. When iOS 26.4 comes out of beta and goes public, these icons will be ready to liven up your group chats in every app that uses a native keyboard.
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