📱 iPhone Emojis on Android: What Actually Works

By the Emojis Keyboard editorial teamUpdated October 7, 20265 min read

iPhone emojis are some of the most recognisable designs in the world, so it is no surprise that many Android users go looking for them. In Spanish and Portuguese the search is often “emojis de iPhone”, and the question is always the same: can I get the iPhone emoji style on my Android phone? The honest answer is that there is no official way to do it, and most of the unofficial ways come with real downsides. This guide explains why, what your options are, and the one thing most people don’t realise: the emojis you send already look like iPhone emojis to your friends who use iPhones.

Why Android doesn’t have iPhone emojis

Emojis are standardised by the Unicode Consortium, but only as characters with names and code points. Unicode does not decide what an emoji looks like. Each company draws its own artwork:

• Apple designs the emojis on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
• Google designs the emojis used on many Android phones, such as Pixel phones.
• Samsung designs its own set for Galaxy phones.
• Microsoft, WhatsApp and others have their own sets too.

Apple’s emoji designs are Apple’s copyrighted artwork, and Apple only builds them into its own devices. Apple does not license them for Android, so no phone maker can ship them. When you open an emoji on Android, you see your phone’s emoji font: Google’s design on most phones, or Samsung’s on a Galaxy. That is why 😂 Face with Tears of Joy or 🥺 Pleading Face looks a little different on your phone than on a friend’s iPhone.

How your emojis look to iPhone users

Here is the good news. When you send an emoji, you are not sending a picture. You are sending a Unicode character, and the receiving phone draws it using its own emoji font. So if you send ❤️ Red Heart from a Samsung phone to someone with an iPhone, they see Apple’s heart. Your message already looks like iPhone emojis to them.

The same applies to emojis you copy from Emojis Keyboard. Everything on the Emojis Keyboard emoji keyboard is standard Unicode, so whatever you paste will appear in the recipient’s style: Apple’s design for iPhone users, Google’s or Samsung’s for Android users, Microsoft’s on Windows.

One exception: some apps draw emojis themselves instead of using the phone’s font. WhatsApp, for example, uses its own emoji designs, so everyone in a WhatsApp chat sees WhatsApp’s style regardless of their phone.

Options for getting iPhone-style emojis on Android

If you still want the Apple look on your own screen, these are the options people usually try. Each one has trade-offs, so read them before you install anything.

1. Built-in font and theme settings

Some Android phones let you change fonts or themes. Samsung has font options in the display settings and a Galaxy Store for fonts and themes, and Xiaomi phones have a Themes app. These are the safest route because they come from your phone maker.

The catch is that on current phones these settings normally change the text font, not the emoji font, and none of the official stores offer Apple’s emoji artwork. You may find themes with emoji-like icons, but you should not expect them to swap the emojis in your messages. What is possible varies by model and software version.

2. “iOS emoji” font apps and keyboards

Search an app store for “iPhone emoji” and you will find keyboards and font apps that claim to deliver the Apple look. Be cautious:

• They are usually unofficial. Apple doesn’t license its emojis, so these apps either use lookalike designs or Apple’s artwork without permission.
• A keyboard sees what you type. A third-party keyboard can access everything you enter, including messages and passwords. Only use keyboards from developers you trust, and read the permissions.
• Heavy ads are common. Many of these apps are packed with ads or push you towards subscriptions.
• The style often stays inside the app. A keyboard may show iOS-style images in its own emoji panel, but once you send the message, it is ordinary Unicode again. Your chat app still shows your phone’s emoji, and the recipient sees theirs.

3. Rooting your phone

Replacing the system emoji font for real usually requires root access. Rooting can void your warranty, may break banking and payment apps, can stop official updates, and weakens your phone’s security. For a change in emoji style, the risk is not worth it for most people.

Never install APKs from unknown sources

Websites and videos promising “iPhone emojis for Android” often link to APK files you install manually. Do not install apps from unknown sources. Files from random download sites can contain malware, spyware or adware, and they skip the checks app stores run. If you have already enabled “install unknown apps” for a browser or file manager, consider turning it off again in your settings.

The best way to get new emojis: keep your phone updated

If what you really want is the latest emojis your iPhone friends are using, the answer is software updates, not Apple’s artwork. New emojis are added to Unicode regularly, and Android, Samsung and other makers add them through system updates, while Google also delivers emoji font updates on many phones. Keep these up to date:

• Your phone’s system software (Settings > System or Software update).
• Your keyboard app, such as Gboard or Samsung Keyboard.
• Your messaging apps.

If a friend sends you an emoji and you see an empty box or a question mark, your phone probably doesn’t support it yet. Check what was added recently on our new emojis page.

Enjoy the emojis you have

Your phone’s emoji style is just a different drawing of the same characters, and meaning matters far more than artwork. Browse smileys, heart emojis or aesthetic emojis to find the right one, and check our guide to emoji meanings so the message lands the way you intend. Curious about why skin tones look different across devices too? See emoji skin tones explained.

FAQ

Can I get iPhone emojis on Android?

Not officially. Apple’s emoji designs are copyrighted and only built into Apple devices. Unofficial apps exist, but they often carry ads, may be unsafe, or only change the look inside the app.

Do iPhone users see my emojis in the iPhone style?

Yes, in most apps. Emojis are sent as Unicode characters, and the iPhone draws them with Apple’s designs. Apps like WhatsApp use their own designs for everyone.

Is it safe to download an iOS emoji APK?

No. Avoid installing APKs from unknown sources, as they can contain malware. Stick to your phone’s official app store, and be careful even there.

Will changing my font on Samsung or Xiaomi change my emojis?

Usually not on current phones. Font and theme settings normally change text, not emoji, and they don’t include Apple’s artwork.

Why can’t I see some emojis my iPhone friends send?

Your phone probably doesn’t support those emojis yet. Install system and app updates to get newer emojis.