Google introduced its Noto 3D emojis for Android, bringing depth, lighting and shadows to the emoji designs. The new look is currently available on the Pixel 11 series through software updates.
WhatsApp is also rolling out animated emojis on Android. Selected emojis can move when sent individually in a chat. The messaging platform is also testing animated emoji reactions for some Android users. Availability depends on the device, app version and account rollout.
Google’s new emoji collection changes the visual design of its emojis with a more three-dimensional appearance. The company reworked nearly 4,000 emojis as hand-modelled 3D objects. The Noto 3D emojis are not AI-generated. Google’s emoji design team created the new designs manually. They first appeared on the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
Pixel 11 users do not need a separate app to access the updated emojis. They can open Settings, go to System and check for the latest software update. After installing the update, users can open an app with emoji support and check the emoji keyboard.
Google did not make the new design available across all Android phones yet. Having Android 17 does not automatically mean an older Pixel phone will receive the new emoji design. Availability also depends on the device and Google's rollout.
WhatsApp's animated emojis work differently from Google's 3D designs. The WhatsApp feature adds movement to selected emojis rather than changing their visual design. To check the feature, users can open a WhatsApp chat, tap the emoji icon and select a supported emoji.
The emoji needs to be sent on its own without text or another emoji. WhatsApp will then play its animation. The platform is also rolling out animated emoji reactions on Android. Users can press and hold a message, choose an emoji reaction and check whether it plays an animation. There is no separate setting for this feature.
Not every emoji supports animation, and the feature may not have reached every WhatsApp account. WhatsApp also uses its own emoji artwork, so Google's Noto 3D designs may not appear inside the app even when they are available on the Android system keyboard.
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