Emoji skin tone selection inconsistent on iPhone after iOS 18.3 update

Question

Emoji skin tone selection inconsistent on iPhone after iOS 18.3 update

Since updating to iOS 18.3, the emoji skin tone selection has become even more inconsistent. Previously, the skin tones would reset to the default yellow, which was inconvenient, but now the issue has worsened.

The emoji skin tones keep resetting to yellow instead of retaining my last used preference.
When I hold down the reaction icon, my previously used skin tones no longer appear.
I can no longer select my preferred skin tone when holding down an emoji.

This has significantly impacted usability. Can you provide clarification on why this is happening and whether a fix is planned?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Feb 10, 2025 07:50 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 10, 2025 08:23 PM in response to LoveHateMacUser

I just tried on my phone and mone of the issues you see are present on my iPhone 16 Pro Max with iOS 18.3.1 (there was an update today).

When I hold my finger on a person and choose the skin tone, the skin tone is retained.
When you choose a reaction, you are correct, the skin tone is not retained and it has always been this way. For example if you select the thumbs up reaction, it will be white on the reply and this is how Apple intended it.

Update your iPhone to iOS 18.3.1

Then Force Restart your iPhone --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support (CA)

You are not writing anyone from Apple here. This is a user to user only forum, with minimal involvement from Apple and they will never respond here. If after trying the suggestions I recommended, you are still seeing issues, you can provide feedback to Apple here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Reply

Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

201,437 points

Feb 10, 2025 08:42 PM in response to LoveHateMacUser

"Apple Iphone Emoji Skin Tones are Broken AGAIN: Since updating to iOS 18.3, the emoji skin tone selection has become even more inconsistent. Previously, the skin tones would reset to the default yellow, which was inconvenient, but now the issue has worsened.[...]"

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I don't get these issues, myself. So, it may be a bug from the update...

Report this to Apple:

Do your Part: Provide Apple with feedback on this, letting them know about this issue. Apple may not get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive on this, the more they will know what is occurring, and what bug fixes to include in updates to come. Apple will know nothing of this, if you don't report it to them.

Go Here: Feedback - iPhone - Apple
Select: "Bug Report" for the "Feedback Type"
Comment: that this all began after installing an update. Include the URL of this thread
Proceed from there as necessary