Google introduced Noto 3D emojis for Android, while WhatsApp brought animated emojis to select chats. The updates arrived in 2026 across supported devices and accounts. The Alphabet company first rolled out Noto 3D on Pixel 11 phones with richer depth, lighting, and shadows.
WhatsApp, on the other hand, has animated select emojis. Users can see them when sent individually in conversations. Both features improve emoji expression, but use a different system. Android users can check software updates, while WhatsApp users can test supported emojis directly.
Google redesigned nearly 4,000 emoji characters with three-dimensional details, adding depth, lighting, and shadows. Google said its design team created the emojis as hand-modeled 3D objects rather than using AI. The company also confirmed, “Noto 3D will be available across Google, starting with Pixel phones, later this year.”
Getting the new Android emojis does not require another application or third-party emoji pack. On supported Pixel phones, users can open Settings and select System. The next step involves checking for the latest available software update. After installation, the phone may require a restart before showing updated emoji artwork. Opening the emoji keyboard inside a supported messaging application can confirm the change.
Android 17 alone does not guarantee access to Google's Noto 3D emojis on older Pixel phones. Other manufacturers can also use their own emoji artwork instead of Google's designs. Samsung, OnePlus and Xiaomi devices may therefore show different emoji appearances. WhatsApp can also render emojis independently from the Android system keyboard.
WhatsApp animated emojis work differently from the Android 3D redesign. Users need to open a WhatsApp conversation and select a supported emoji. Sending that emoji alone can trigger its animation automatically. Adding text or another emoji can prevent the animation from appearing in some cases. WhatsApp does not animate its entire emoji collection, so unsupported characters remain static.
WhatsApp also continues testing animated emoji reactions on Android accounts. The feature can appear after pressing and holding a message and selecting an available reaction. No separate activation switch appears when an account receives the feature. WhatsApp currently distributes animated reactions gradually across supported accounts and app versions.
The two features should not be confused despite their similar appearance. Noto 3D changes emoji design through depth, lighting, and shadows across supported platforms. WhatsApp animated emojis add movement to selected characters inside conversations. A phone receiving Noto 3D therefore may not display those same designs inside WhatsApp.
Users without either feature should first update Android and WhatsApp through official channels. Device compatibility, software versions, and staged rollouts can affect availability. Unofficial emoji applications or modified APK files should not be used to force these features. The safest route remains official software updates and WhatsApp's gradual feature rollout.
Also Read: WhatsApp Tests Third-Party AI Agents with Privacy Limits