iMessage Has Emoji-Related Bug Dating Back Several iOS Versions

Thursday December 14, 2017 11:37 AM PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple released iOS 11.2.1 on Wednesday with multiple bug fixes, but an emoji-related issue continues to affect the Messages app on iOS devices.


The bug happens as follows: start a fresh conversation with a new recipient in the Messages app, send a single emoji as the first message, and much of the interface will essentially go blank with the top menu disappearing.

The glitch effectively renders the Messages app unusable until it is force closed and reopened through the multitasking menu.

The bug has affected most iPhone, iPad, and likely iPod touch models since at least iOS 11.1.2. MacRumors is able to reproduce the issue on iOS 11.2, iOS 11.2.1, and the first iOS 11.2.5 beta released yesterday.

The issue is prevalent in both iMessage conversations with blue bubbles and SMS conversations with green bubbles.

While this bug is a minor one, it adds to a growing list of issues that have surfaced over the past several versions of iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra, including a major Mac vulnerability that provided easy access to the root superuser.

Beyond the root bug, Apple has also dealt with a HomeKit-related vulnerability, an iPhone camera autofocus issue, iOS autocorrect bugs, and iPhone X glitches in cold weather, among other problems, in recent weeks.

We've alerted Apple about this bug shortly prior to publishing this article and we'll provide an update if and when we learn about a fix.

Tags: emoji, iMessage
43 comments


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Pakaku
17 months ago
Well, if your idea of an opening conversation starter is a single emoji, especially that emoji, maybe you need to work on your social talking skills :\
Rating: 14 Votes
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hushypushy
17 months ago

Who starts new iMessage threads these days?


I do realize that this is an internet forum filled with nerds, so this might possibly be a foolish question, but...

Have you ever met a new friend before?

There has to be a point when you message someone for the first time; it's not like your phone comes pre-loaded with message threads for every person you will ever meet.
Rating: 13 Votes
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THE JUICEMAN
17 months ago
Who starts new iMessage threads these days?
Rating: 12 Votes
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Act3
17 months ago

Who starts new iMessage threads these days?


especially with just a poop face
Rating: 9 Votes
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Darmok N Jalad
17 months ago

I do realize that this is an internet forum filled with nerds, so this might possibly be a foolish question, but...

Have you ever met a new friend before?

There has to be a point when you message someone for the first time; it's not like your phone comes pre-loaded with message threads for every person you will ever meet.


I guess the OP's comment is a little off base, but I believe the social convention when one makes a new friend usually starts by verbally asking something like "hey, what's your number?" After receiving it, you enter that number as a new message on your phone and type something like "Hey, this is Darmok" and not just an emoji. That way your new friend knows it's you and correctly stores your name. Plus they might also feel a little more encouraged by this new found friendship knowing that you can actually type words and not just emojis. ;)
Rating: 5 Votes
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Mlrollin91
17 months ago

Who starts new iMessage threads these days?

I do. Quite often too. About once a week I will trash all my current ones because they become cluttered with attachments. I could manually go to settings and remove all the attachment, but its easier to just delete the thread and create a new one when, or, if, I ever need one. I have zero attachment to iMessages. Some people keep messages going back 10 years. I don't get it.
Rating: 4 Votes
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farewelwilliams
17 months ago
scott forstall would have never-

i mean steve jobs would have never...
Rating: 4 Votes
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Yvan256
17 months ago
Still no fix for unsupported emojis on older devices. We're stuck receiving empty squares and alien faces.

How hard could it be for Apple to detect the older iOS devices and send them images of the emoji character instead? This lack of support shows me they don't care about their users once they have their money.
Rating: 3 Votes
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Mlrollin91
17 months ago

Lol take it easy it’s a joke. I’m just saying that I can’t remember the last time I started a new thread. Even when switching phones they all just come back.

P.S. I prefer the team geek vs nerd.
[doublepost=1513288307][/doublepost]

Interesting. I’ve never had a need to delete messages because of attachments. Are you doing this because you are running out of space?

No, I just don't like clutter. When I am part of group messages than send 20-30 photos in a week. Or just between people I talk to on a regular basis, its just "cluttered" IMO. But, I don't like the attachments being backed up to iCloud nightly, which does take space away from iCloud storage that I rather use for something else.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
THE JUICEMAN
17 months ago

I do realize that this is an internet forum filled with nerds, so this might possibly be a foolish question, but...

Have you ever met a new friend before?

There has to be a point when you message someone for the first time; it's not like your phone comes pre-loaded with message threads for every person you will ever meet.


Lol take it easy it’s a joke. I’m just saying that I can’t remember the last time I started a new thread. Even when switching phones they all just come back.

P.S. I prefer the team geek vs nerd.
[doublepost=1513288307][/doublepost]

I do. Quite often too. About once a week I will trash all my current ones because they become cluttered with attachments. I could manually go to settings and remove all the attachment, but its easier to just delete the thread and create a new one when, or, if, I ever need one. I have zero attachment to iMessages. Some people keep messages going back 10 years. I don't get it.


Interesting. I’ve never had a need to delete messages because of attachments. Are you doing this because you are running out of space?
Rating: 2 Votes
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