The latest iOS update has brought with it a change that has many iPhone users scratching their heads and tapping furiously – but not in a good way. The subject of their digital dismay? Emojis. Specifically, the size of emojis on the keyboard. Across online forums and social media, a wave of complaints has emerged, all echoing the same sentiment: the emojis are just too big. But why is this causing such a stir, and what’s behind this sudden shift in emoji dimensions?
The core issue, as voiced by numerous users, is the dramatically increased size of the emojis in the keyboard interface after updating to iOS 18.0.1 and subsequent versions. What was once a comfortably sized grid of expressive icons has transformed into a landscape of seemingly oversized characters. This change isn’t just a minor visual tweak; it’s fundamentally altering the user experience for many. Users are finding it harder to navigate the emoji keyboard, impacting the speed and ease with which they can communicate. One user aptly described the new emojis as “Costco size,” highlighting the feeling of disproportionate enlargement.
iPhone emoji keyboard glitch: Missing emojis in recent section after iOS update
The problem extends beyond mere aesthetics. For users accustomed to the previous layout, the enlarged emojis are disorienting. Muscle memory built over years of emoji use is rendered less effective, as the familiar positions of frequently used emojis are now harder to locate within the expanded grid. This disorientation is particularly frustrating for users who rely on quick emoji access in their daily messaging. As one user pointed out, “making them bigger changed that, and just feels so disorienting.”
Accessibility, ironically, seems to be the unintended consequence of this change. While larger emojis might be perceived as beneficial for users with impaired vision, the overwhelming feedback suggests that for the majority, it’s a hindrance rather than a help. Users are not asking for bigger emojis; they are asking for choice. The lack of an option to adjust the emoji keyboard size is a major point of contention. Many feel that Apple should provide users with the flexibility to choose an emoji size that suits their individual needs and preferences, rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all, and in this case, one-size-fits-none-too-well, approach.
Adding to the usability issues, some users are reporting glitches accompanying the size increase. One user described encountering diagonal lines of missing or blank emojis in their recent emoji section after updating to a newer iPhone (iPhone 16). This glitch further exacerbates the frustration, making the emoji keyboard not only visually cumbersome but also functionally unreliable. The combination of increased size and technical glitches is creating a significantly negative user experience.
The overwhelming sentiment across user feedback is a plea for Apple to revert the emoji size change or, at the very least, provide an option to customize the keyboard size. Users emphasize that while accessibility options are valuable, they should not come at the expense of the experience for the broader user base. The desire for the “original size” emojis to “change back to normal ASAP” is a recurring theme. The core message is clear: users want control over their emoji keyboard and find the current oversized emojis to be “unusable,” “horrid,” and simply “too bigggg!!”
In conclusion, the outcry over the enlarged emoji size highlights a crucial aspect of user-centric design: choice and customization. While the intent behind the change remains unclear, the user response is resoundingly negative. The hope is that Apple will listen to this widespread feedback and consider providing users with the option to choose their preferred emoji keyboard size in future updates, restoring the balance between usability and accessibility.
