Mask emoji on iOS 14.2 is a lot more cheerful than before

Apple is doing its (tiny) share of making mask-wearing a little less dreary.

In the next version of its mobile operating system, iOS 14.2, the mask-wearing emoji now appears to be smiling.

Originally, the Face with Medical Mask emoji had a neutral (if not a little sad) face expression. But Emojipedia has done a direct comparison of the new emoji with the regular, Smiling Face emoji, and they’re the same thing, the only difference being the mask. And while the smile isn’t directly visible on the new emoji (because of, you know, the mask), it is quite obvious that it has a cheerful face.