What Are Google’s Noto 3D Emojis?
Google’s Noto 3D emojis are a new three-dimensional emoji set that replaces the flat Noto Color Emoji designs with hand-modeled graphics featuring depth, lighting, and texture for a more expressive look across Android devices. This emoji redesign marks Google’s most significant update since Android 11 introduced the current Noto Color Emoji set in 2020, shifting from a flat, sticker-like style to fully modeled characters that feel more tactile and animated. According to Google’s emoji team, more than 4,000 emojis were redesigned by hand, making Noto 3D the fifth major visual era in Google’s emoji history after the early black-and-white icons, the blob era, the Android 8 gradient style, and today’s flat set. Noto 3D is expected to arrive first on Pixel devices, with a gradual rollout to other Android phones, apps, and platforms later.
How Noto 3D Changes the Look of Emojis
The Noto 3D emojis bring dimensional depth and updated visuals that make reactions feel more alive in chats. Faces gain rounded contours, subtle shadows, and lighting that help emotions read more clearly, while objects and symbols pick up realistic shading and texture. Instead of flat fill colors, elements appear layered, giving the impression of small clay or plastic figures. This redesign modernizes the Android emoji style and aligns it with other platforms that use more three-dimensional art. Google presented the new set during The Android Show ahead of the wider Android emoji update, emphasizing that every emoji has been adjusted to work within this 3D language. The result is a consistent, colorful library that keeps the familiar shapes users know while refreshing them with a contemporary, polished look.
How to Install the Noto 3D Emoji Font on Android
You can try the Noto 3D emojis early by using a custom emoji font distributed via the Telegram channel Kboard. First, download and install the Kboard keyboard from its official GitHub page on your Android device. After installing, open your keyboard settings and look for the Appearance section, then choose the option labeled Set Custom Font From File. Select the downloaded .TTF emoji font file you obtained from Kboard. Once applied, Kboard should begin displaying the new 3D emoji designs instead of the standard flat Noto Color Emoji set. This method does not change the system font everywhere, but it lets you preview the updated emoji redesign inside the keyboard, so you can see how the new Google 3D emojis will look in everyday conversations.
Important Warnings and What to Expect Next
The current Noto 3D emoji font circulating online is not an official Google release, so you should install it with caution. The file is shared by third parties, and Google has not offered an early-access package for regular users. Always verify the source before installing any custom font and remember that you proceed at your own risk. Because this is not system-level support, some apps or keyboards may still show the old icons, and there may be display inconsistencies. Google has confirmed that Noto 3D will arrive on its products later this year, with Pixel phones expected to receive the update first. A broader Android emoji update will likely roll out in stages, similar to previous releases, so trying the font now is mainly for enthusiasts who want an early look at the new emoji redesign.
