The REAL IOS 17 Side Eye Emoji: 5 Ways To Master The Look Of Disapproval On Your IPhone

The "iOS 17 Side Eye Emoji" has become one of the most highly anticipated—and misunderstood—additions to the iPhone keyboard in recent memory. As of the most current update in December 2025, the reality is that an emoji officially named "Side Eye" does not exist in the Unicode standard, but the demand for it has created a fascinating digital phenomenon. This article will clarify the confusion, identify the existing emoji that perfectly captures the sentiment, and introduce the newest face emojis from the iOS 17.4 update that give users fresh ways to express skepticism and disbelief. The term "side eye" is a cultural shorthand for a non-verbal expression of judgment, disapproval, or suspicion, and the digital world desperately needed a dedicated icon. While Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 17, introduced a host of new features, the true "side eye" is a clever nickname for an existing classic, the Unamused Face (😒), which remains the reigning champion for conveying that perfect look of silent disdain. We'll explore why this and other emojis are essential tools for your digital body language.

The Digital Body Language of Disapproval: Unpacking the "Side Eye"

The desire for a dedicated "side eye emoji" stems from the need to express complex, nuanced emotions in a quick text or social media caption. A simple word often fails to convey the depth of skepticism or mild irritation that a glance can. The side-eye is a universal gesture, and its digital representation is crucial for modern communication.

The True Identity: Unamused Face (😒)

The emoji most commonly referred to as the "side eye emoji" is officially the Unamused Face (😒). Its design features a yellow face with a flat, straight mouth, slightly raised eyebrows, and eyes distinctly looking to the side. * Meaning: Skepticism, disapproval, irritation, or a general feeling of being unimpressed. * Usage: It’s the go-to emoji when a friend tells a questionable story, a significant other makes a ridiculous suggestion, or you encounter a social media post that leaves you entirely unimpressed. It’s a silent, "Are you serious?" moment. * Topical Authority: The genius of the Unamused Face is its ambiguity; the sideways glance perfectly mimics the real-world side-eye, making it the de facto standard for this sentiment across all platforms, not just iOS 17.

The Eyes of Suspicion: Eyes Emoji (👀)

Another close contender in the side-eye family is the Eyes (👀) emoji. While not a face, the eyes alone are often used in combination with other emojis or text to create a sense of looking away, observing, or suspicion. * Meaning: Attention, observation, shifty eyes, or a subtle signal to "look at this." * Usage: Often used in a sequence like "Did you see that post? 👀" or to imply a secret or to draw attention to something controversial without explicitly saying it. It's the digital version of a dramatic glance.

iOS 17.4: New Emojis That Capture Skepticism and Disbelief

While the core iOS 17 release didn't give us a new dedicated side-eye, the iOS 17.4 update (released in early 2024) introduced a major batch of new emojis from the Unicode 15.1 set. Among these are two new facial expressions that are perfect for expressing disbelief, confusion, or a firm "no," which are sentiments closely related to the side-eye.

1. Head Shaking Horizontally (🙂‍↔️)

This is perhaps the most relevant new face emoji for the side-eye conversation. The Head Shaking Horizontally emoji is designed to look like a head shaking from side to side, a universal gesture for "no." * Side-Eye Connection: When you are giving someone the side-eye, you are often silently saying "no" to their idea or statement. This new emoji provides a clear, animated-like representation of firm disagreement or disbelief, making it a powerful tool for expressing skepticism in a fresh way. * Usage: Use it to reject an idea, express incredulity, or simply say "no way" without typing the words.

2. Head Shaking Vertically (🙂‍↕️)

The complementary new face is the Head Shaking Vertically emoji, which represents a nodding head, or "yes." * Why it Matters: While it means agreement, its inclusion alongside the "no" shaking head completes a new set of digital body language for quick, non-verbal responses, enriching the overall expressive capability of the iOS 17 keyboard.

Mastering the Art of the Digital Side-Eye: 5 Essential Combinations

True emoji experts know that the most powerful expressions come from combining icons. To achieve maximum impact and topical authority in your texts, move beyond the single 😒 and use these advanced combinations, incorporating the new iOS 17.4 faces.

1. The Classic Disapproval

😒 🙄 * Meaning: The ultimate expression of "I am so done with this." It pairs the Unamused Face (😒) with the Face with Rolling Eyes (🙄) for a double dose of irritation and exasperation. This is perfect for when you are truly fed up.

2. The Suspicious Observer

👀 🤨 * Meaning: This combo conveys deep suspicion and a questioning look. It combines the Eyes (👀) to draw attention and the Face with Raised Eyebrow (🤨) to signal doubt and scrutiny. Use this when you don't believe a single word of what you're reading.

3. The Firm Rejection (New iOS 17.4 Style)

🙂‍↔️ 🙅 * Meaning: A clear and unmistakable "Absolutely not." The new Head Shaking Horizontally (🙂‍↔️) from iOS 17.4 is instantly reinforced by the Person Gesturing NO (🙅). This is the digital equivalent of crossing your arms and shaking your head.

4. The Sarcastic Approval

😒 👍 * Meaning: Sarcasm is an art, and this combination is a masterpiece. The Unamused Face (😒) immediately undercuts the Thumbs Up (👍), signaling that your "approval" is anything but genuine. It's the perfect response to a terrible idea that you have to pretend to endorse.

5. The Tea Has Been Spilled

☕ 🐸 😒 * Meaning: A popular social media trope, this combination uses the Tea (☕) and Frog (🐸) to reference the "But that's none of my business" meme, capped off with the Side Eye (😒). It’s used to comment on drama or gossip while pretending to remain aloof and judgmental.

The Topical Authority of Emojis: Why Unicode Matters

Understanding the "side eye emoji" is not just about using the right icon; it’s about understanding the Unicode Consortium, the non-profit organization that approves and standardizes all emojis globally. Apple and other major tech companies implement these standards in their operating systems (like iOS 17). The fact that the Unamused Face (😒) is used as the "side eye" is a testament to digital body language—how users adapt and repurpose existing icons to fill emotional gaps in the lexicon. Every time a user searches for the "iOS 17 side eye emoji," they are validating the need for a more explicit icon, even if the current one works well. As new emojis are released (like those in Unicode 15.1 and implemented in iOS 17.4), they provide more tools for expressing the nuances of a side-eye. Whether you are using the classic 😒, the new 🙂‍↔️, or a clever combination, mastering the digital side-eye is crucial for communicating skepticism and disapproval in the modern, fast-paced world of mobile messaging. The next time you feel that wave of disbelief, you have an entire arsenal of icons, updated with the latest iOS 17 faces, to deliver the perfect look.