Genmoji is a feature of Apple Intelligence that allows users to create their own unique emoji by simply typing a description or using a photo of a person. These AI-generated emoji can be customized with accessories and themes, and can be used in messages, as stickers, or as comments, just like regular emoji.
Genmoji is available on compatible iPhones, iPads, and Macs running at least iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, or macOS 15.3 (or later) and requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled device such as the iPhone 15 Pro or later.
Enable Apple Intelligence
Before you can use Genmoji, you must enable Apple Intelligence on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. In the EU this is limited and can only be done via a detour. Click the links below for more information and to set up your iPhone, iPad or Mac for Apple Intelligence.
- Enable Apple Intelligence (via a detour in the EU)
- Apple Intelligence-enabled devices
- Enable emoji keyboard
Create Genmoji
Creating your own designed emoji is very easy. Once you have Apple Intelligence active and meet the conditions, you can use the steps below.
- Open the Messages app
- Tap the emoji symbol to open the emoji keyboard
- Tap the colored Genmoji symbol next to the search field
- Describe your desired emoji
- Apple Intelligence gets started automatically
You can see some examples in the image above. The AI ​​tool will generate some suggestions, swipe left or right to browse the genmojis. Tap the one you want to add to your emoji keyboard.
Using people for Genmoji
If you wish, you can also create Genmojis based on an existing person. This will then be transformed into an emoji. For example, are you asking for an emoji of a man, woman, child, person, etc.? You will then receive a suggestion from AI to choose a person. Tap ‘Choose a Person’ to select one of your contacts (which is also present in Photos).
Once you’ve linked a person, Apple Intelligence will suggest emojis based on that person. They are not one-to-one copies, but they are worth it.
Using Genmoji
Once you’ve created multiple Genmojis, you can use them immediately and they will be reflected in the emoji keyboard. They are among the other emoticons and when you search, you will also find them based on what the Genmoji shows. You can also use them as a sticker.
Genmojis can be used anywhere you can use emojis. In some apps they are sent separately as a sticker, in others as a full-fledged emoji.
Save Genmoji as a sticker
You can save Genmojis as a Sticker directly from creation or copy them to use elsewhere. To do this, tap the three dots above the generated genmoji and make a selection.
Who sees the Genmoji?
Users who have iOS 18.1 installed will see Genmoji and can even get information about them, but they can only be created in iOS 18.2. In previous versions of iOS, they are displayed as an image.