Apple has officially expanded its Apple News+ subscription service with the launch of the “Emoji Game,” a new daily puzzle title available starting this Thursday in the United States and Canada. By integrating logic-based word challenges with the company’s proprietary Genmoji technology, Apple aims to further boost user engagement within its ecosystem.
A New Twist on Daily Puzzles
Timed to coincide with World Emoji Day, the Emoji Game challenges players to decode phrases using a mix of standard emojis and abstract logic. The goal is to complete the daily puzzles in the fewest moves possible. If a player gets stuck, they can reveal a clue, though this choice costs one move.
The gameplay mechanics involve dragging emojis into blank spaces to complete specific words or phrases. For example, a player might see the letters “ap” followed by empty slots, requiring the “pear” emoji to finish the word “appear.” As the puzzles progress, players must rely on abstract thinking and emoji combinations to solve increasingly complex riddles.
Leveraging Apple Intelligence and Genmoji
To differentiate this title from standard word games, Apple has incorporated Genmoji—custom emojis generated via Apple Intelligence. This integration moves the game beyond the limitations of the standard 2,000-character keyboard. An example of this is using a custom “blender” emoji combined with a “tomato” emoji to form the word “purée.”
Social Features and Availability
The game tracks performance through a leaderboard system, allowing users to monitor their streaks and compete with friends. A perfect score is achieved by finishing the daily set in six moves. Apple has also confirmed that in the upcoming iOS 26, users will gain the ability to directly challenge friends through a dedicated Games app.
Developed in-house by Apple and designed in partnership with The Puzzle Society, the game is now accessible to News+ subscribers on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. While users on iOS 18.4 or later gain automatic access, those on older versions may require an update. This addition joins a growing library of News+ content, which includes premium journalism, narrated audio, sports updates, and the recently launched Apple News+ Food recipe-saving feature.