The recent buzz around the internet about Apple introducing pop star emojis in iOS 18.5 has been nothing short of sensational, but unfortunately, it’s a rumor that has been thoroughly debunked.
The Claim: Apple is Bringing Pop Star Emojis to Its Next iOS 18.5 Update
It all began with a single, highly convincing image posted on X by the pop culture account Drop Pop. The image depicted emojis of famous female artists such as Ariana Grande, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift, complete with the Apple logo, making it look like an official announcement from Apple. This post quickly went viral, garnering 41.7 million views, 110,000 likes, and 3,600 comments.
The image was so realistic that many believed it was a legitimate preview of upcoming iOS 18.5 emojis. However, the excitement was short-lived, as it soon became clear that this was nothing more than a cleverly crafted hoax.
The Reality: It Was a Rumor Sparked by a Pop Culture News Parody Account on X
Drop Pop, the account behind the viral post, is a parody pop culture news outlet. Their bio explicitly states that the account is meant for entertainment purposes only and does not represent factual news. Despite this clear disclaimer, many users failed to notice it and took the post at face value.
The realism of the mock-up emojis was impressive, whether they were AI-generated or created by a dedicated fan. However, the lack of any official announcement from Apple and the absence of these emojis in developer betas were clear indicators that this was not a genuine update.
Why Pop Star Emojis Won’t Make the Cut
The main reason pop star emojis will not be included in iOS updates, including iOS 18.5, lies in the guidelines set by the Unicode Consortium. The Unicode Consortium is responsible for deciding which new emojis are added to the standard emoji set, and their rules explicitly state that specific people, whether fictional, historic, living, or dead, are automatically declined[2].
Additionally, there are issues related to third-party intellectual property rights and image licensing that the Unicode Consortium avoids. These strict guidelines ensure that emojis remain universal and do not infringe on any copyright or trademark laws.
What’s New in iOS 18.4 and iOS 18.5?
While the pop star emojis may not be coming, Apple has introduced several new features and emojis in recent updates. iOS 18.4, for instance, includes nine new emojis, such as a face with bags under the eyes, a fingerprint, a paint splatter, and more. These emojis are part of the Unicode 16.0 list and have been integrated into the iOS 18.4 beta[1].
Looking ahead to iOS 18.5, Apple has already released the first beta, which includes minor but significant updates. These updates include new control center toggles, improvements to the Mail app, and enhanced visual intelligence for older devices. There are also updates to AppleCare information and minor bug fixes to improve the overall user experience[3][4].
User Experience Improvements in iOS 18.5
The iOS 18.5 beta introduces several user experience improvements. For example, the Mail app now allows users to toggle contact photos and group emails by sender directly from the app interface, rather than digging into the settings. This change makes the Mail app more user-friendly and aligns it more closely with earlier versions[3].
Additionally, Apple has updated the AppleCare and Warranty section in the Settings app to include a banner with an AppleCare logo and more detailed information about coverage. This makes it easier for users to manage their AppleCare plans and understand what is covered[4].
Conclusion
While the idea of having pop star emojis might seem exciting and fun, it remains outside the realm of possibility due to the strict guidelines and processes in place for emoji selection. Instead, users can look forward to the practical and useful updates coming with iOS 18.5, which promise to enhance the overall iOS experience. So, the next time you come across a viral post about upcoming features, it’s always a good idea to verify the source before getting your hopes up.