What you need to know
- Google’s new Noto 3D emojis, introduced with Android 17 and the Pixel 11 series, are starting to reach older phones.
- A Reddit user reports receiving the redesigned emojis on their Pixel 6a, possibly through a system update.
- The rollout appears limited for now, while Google has confirmed plans to bring the new emojis to all Android phones.
Google appears to be rolling out its new Noto 3D emojis to older Android phones.
With the launch of Android 17 and the Pixel 11 series, Google introduced a new emoji design language. Android users have complained for years that emojis on the platform look rather plain and bland, especially compared to what competitors offer. But with Android 17, Google introduced its new Noto 3D emoji design, bringing more depth and a three-dimensional look to emojis.
Google says the new emojis feature more depth and dimension, making them better at expressing emotions and giving them a more distinctive look. Until now, these emojis have largely been exclusive to the new Pixel 11 series, but it looks like Google is finally starting to bring them to older Android phones as well.
As spotted by a user on Reddit (via 9to5Google), the new Noto 3D emojis have reportedly started appearing on the Pixel 6a. The user says their emoji selection has been updated to show the new designs and believes the change arrived through a system update rather than a Gboard update.
Google has so far kept the new emojis exclusive to the Pixel 11 series, but this report suggests the company may have started expanding their availability to older Pixel phones.
That said, the rollout doesn’t appear to be widespread just yet. We checked both the Pixel 9a and Pixel 9 Pro running the latest Android 17 software, and neither device has received the new emojis, even after installing the latest Google Play system update.
Still, with at least one user reporting that the new emojis have appeared on their older Pixel, there’s a chance Google has started a gradual rollout that could reach more devices over the coming days or weeks.
Google has already announced plans to make the new emoji designs available across its apps and on devices from several Android manufacturers, including Nothing, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo, Honor, Motorola, and more.
