Google’s refreshed 3D emoji set, which debuted on the Pixel 11 alongside Android 17, appears to be rolling out to legacy Pixel devices. A Redditor using a Pixel 6a reported that their emoji library unexpectedly switched from the flat-style Noto designs to the newer 3D set after updating the Google Play Store. That’s one of only a couple of confirmed sightings so far.
What We Know About the Rollout
So far, reports are scarce, which suggests a slow, staged release. Most devices discussed in community threads still display the old 2D emoji set; only a few—starting with the Pixel 6a—have shown signs of being upgraded. The timing is vague, but in at least one case the 3D Noto emoji pack arrived post-Google Play update, rather than via Android OS version bump.
The shift from classic cartoonish Noto emojis to three-dimensional visuals is part of Google’s larger Android 17 initiative, bringing consistency to emojis across Pixel devices. These 3D icons maintain the expressive style users are familiar with, but add depth, shading, and new polish that had been reserved for newer hardware until now.
What’s Still Unknown
Google has not yet provided a list of which older Pixel models will receive the 3D emoji upgrade, or a firm timeline for the rest of the rollout. Some users who’ve yet to receive the update are waiting tentatively, particularly those with Pixel 6, 6 Pro, or older models. It’s also unclear whether the update requires Android 17 or if those still on Android 16 will be eligible.
As of now, only a very small number of users have verified the new emoji; broader confirmation is needed to know when Google plans to push the update to every supported Pixel.
For users, noticing first whether your emoji library changes following a Play Store update is the clearest signal of the shift. If that happens, you’ve likely received the refreshed 3D library—if not, your device probably isn’t yet up in the queue.
Google’s move to extend the 3D emoji library beyond fresh-off-the-line Pixels shows its interest in keeping older hardware feeling modern—those rich textures and depth cues in emoji aren’t just fun flourishes. They’re part of a trend toward richer visual design in software. What we’ll be watching closely: when the rollout scales to more Pixel models, whether users get choices between 2D and 3D versions, and what performance or compatibility quirks this change might introduce.
