iPhone users stunned after netizen spots hidden tribute to Steve Jobs' era inside a tiny emoji, and you might have used it without even noticing

In a world where emojis have become the language of the digital age, few stop to think that one of these tiny icons carries a tribute to Apple’s legendary co-founder, Steve Jobs. But a recent Reddit discovery has left iPhone users stunned — a hidden message buried inside one of the most unassuming emojis on their keyboards.

Shared on the r/iphone subreddit, a post titled “How this hidden gem on the scroll emoji” unveiled what many are calling one of Apple’s most poetic Easter eggs. When you zoom in closely on the scroll emoji, the faint text on its parchment isn’t random scribbling — it’s actually a quote straight from Apple’s iconic 1997 “Think Different” campaign.

The text reads: “You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.”

This line, originally spoken in the “Here’s to the Crazy Ones” ad, was part of the company’s tribute to innovators, dreamers, and rebels — a campaign that redefined Apple’s brand and became synonymous with Steve Jobs’ visionary spirit.

From marketing legend to emoji lore
For younger users, the quote might not immediately ring a bell. But for long-time Apple fans, it’s a nostalgic throwback to the era when Jobs and his team urged the world to celebrate those who “see things differently.” The ad paid homage to figures like Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and John Lennon — people who challenged norms and reshaped history.

The subtle engraving of that message on an emoji scroll serves as a symbolic nod to that philosophy, a miniature monument to Apple’s roots in creative rebellion.

As one Redditor wrote, “It’s a welcome touch that this speech from Jobs is immortalized in a small detail present in every Apple device on the planet.”

A reminder of Apple’s attention to detail
Apple has long been known for weaving hidden details and Easter eggs into its ecosystem. The company’s designers are famed for their precision, right down to the curvature of icons and animations. The scroll emoji’s tribute joins a list of subtle design choices — like how the Apple Maps icon shows the company’s Cupertino headquarters or how the calendar emoji marks July 17, the date Apple launched iCal.

For many users, the find is both delightful and humbling. As one comment under the Reddit post joked, “I’ve sent that emoji hundreds of times and never noticed. Steve Jobs would’ve loved that.”