It's not an alien invasion, you just need to update your emoji keyboard

 By 
Tricia Gilbride
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

If you got a text today featuring an ominous black and white alien symbol, congratulations.

The aliens have chosen you and you will be spared when they descend upon Earth and communicate exclusively with Apple products. They've actually had the Apple Watch for a couple of years now and are putting a few on eBay once they invade our planet.

[seealso slug="emoji-accessories-etsy"]

Or maybe you just haven't updated to iOS 8.3 and can't see the new emoji Apple rolled out today. Any new emoji, including the racially diverse options, will show up as the cryptic alien symbol.

The alien (which is different from the actual alien emoji) makes pretty innocent activities like planning a kid's birthday party or complaining about public transit look sinister.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Even if you have updated, you're still likely to run into alien encounters on Twitter, which needs to catch up with its own emoji art. But why are you waiting? The iOS 8.3 update is out there.

BONUS: 5 Emoji Meanings that Might Surprise You

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