Apple releases four official emoji sticker packs for beta users of iOS 10 Messages

It's a good day for those rocking the iOS 10 developer beta on their devices, for Apple has released the first batch of official animated stickers made for the Messages app. Available through the iTunes Preview system, the packs include Smileys, Hearts, Hands, and Classic Mac emojis. Careful observers noted that the first three have been ported to iOS from watchOS, while the fourth pack consists of original Macintosh icons dating from the 1980s.

Post-installation, the stickers can be found inside the Messages app drawer. Interacting with them can involve tapping to place them in a chat conversation, or "peeling" and placing stickers around chat bubbles, images, and other emojis.

iOS 10 sticker packs exist in the form of mini-apps available through the upcoming iMessage app store. They are developed on the foundation of Apple's new Messages application programming interface. Made for more than just zany animations, the API will let clever developers expand Messages' functionality with plug-ins and integration of other services and platforms – such as food ordering and mobile payments via Square, as shown at this year's WWDC.

If you have the iOS 10 Developer preview installed, feel free to grab the emoji packs from the links below. And in case you never get near unfinished software, check out our iOS 10 Preview and questionnaire.