Skip to main content

Google’s redesigned emoji rolling out to Chat for Android

Last month, Google announced a revamp of all its emoji — nearly 1,000 characters — coming to Android 12 this fall and Chrome OS 92. These new emoji designs are also set to arrive in Google Chat over the coming weeks.

Google set out to make its emoji more “globally relevant” to ensure that a particular design makes sense for everyone. For example, Google previously used a slice of pumpkin pie to present all types of pies. The character has been updated to be a whole one that can stand for any flavor/filling.

Another aim was to make characters larger and have them take better advantage of the tiny space they can occupy. This is seen in the vehicle emoji, while several others are now more realistic. Food also got a general upgrade towards realism.

In Google Chat, emojis serve as “reactions.” Long pressing on messages in the mobile client reveals a menu with “Add reaction” at the top. The addition of Unicode 13.1 emoji revamps this page slightly, with the list now featuring a “Recently used” section. That’s followed by a lengthy grid organized by nine categories with a tap of the bottom bar quickly moving you to the relevant characters.

Other cited changes include the “addition of a gender-neutral option for gender-modifiable emojis,” while “emoji skin tone and gender preferences are saved per individual emoji.”

These trio of updates are rolling first to Google Chat for Android and will be fully available over the coming weeks. The web and iOS clients will also get these additions in a similar timeframe. 

Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers

More about Google Chat:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com