Google has added new emoji to Android devices running the Android 16 Developer Preview 2 (DP2). According to Android Authority, Android users testing this preview will get 7 new emoji. These are based on the Unicode 16.0 standard which adds new characters for communication.
New emoji in Android 16 DP2
Android 16 DP2 has 7 new emoji including Face with Bags Under Eyes, Fingerprint, Leafless Tree, Root Vegetable, Harp, Shovel, and Splatter. Older Android versions will show placeholder symbols instead.
This was not a surprise, as the new emoji were previewed earlier this year during the Unicode Emoji 16.0 Alpha release. Unicode 16.0, released on September 10, 2024, is the latest version of the Unicode Standard that includes new emoji. Unicode is a global standard that assigns unique codes to text and symbols so they can be compatible across devices.
It’s worth noting that Google has been quick to support Unicode updates in the past. They have been one of the first to adopt new emoji sets in recent years.
Emoji help us communicate better
Adding new emoji to the Unicode standard means we have more ways to communicate. The Face with Bags Under Eyes emoji is associated with exhausted, sleepy, tired, etc. The Fingerprint emoji is associated with forensics, identity, safety, etc. The Leafless Tree emoji is associated with beet, garden, root, turnip, vegetable, etc. The Harp emoji is associated with Cupid, instrument, love, music, orchestra, etc. The Shovel emoji is associated with dig, hole, scoop, spade, etc. Finally, the Splatter emoji is associated with holi, paint, spill, stain, etc.
Google is supporting these emoji in Android 16 DP2 so users can have fresh and fun communication. But since this is only available to Developer Preview testers, most users will have to wait until Android 16 is released next year to get these emoji.
Google has rolled out the second Android 16 developer preview on December 18, 2025. Along with the new emoji, the latest DP2 update also brings a better Now Playing feature, screen-off fingerprint unlock, an improved Bluetooth menu, and more. You can try the Developer Preview if you want to check it out but only if you’re an experienced user since it’s still buggy.
