How to use Genmoji to create your own custom emoji

with iPhone and iPad users have access to a slew of new features that take advantage of Apple Intelligence. This includes Genmoji, a new type of AI-generated emoji that was the first of its kind

What is Genmoji?

Genmoji are custom emojis that you can create if you install the iOS 18.2 or iPadOS 18.2 update. They’re emojis of your imagination, made real with the help of Apple Intelligence — you describe the emojis you want to see, like a sad cowboy or an octopus DJ, and Apple’s AI will do its best to create them. You can also create custom emojis for people you know if you have a photo of them in your library. Once you create a Genmoji, it will be stored in your keyboard so you can use it in Apple apps that support emoji. They can be sent as part of messages, as standalone stickers, or as Tapback interactions.

How to create a ginmoji

To create Genmoji, you’ll need an updated device with iOS 18.2/iPadOS 18.2 or later. . This includes all iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, as well as iPad models with the M1 chip or later, and iPad mini (A17 Pro). For now, you can only create Genmoji on iPhone and iPad, though Apple says the feature will be coming to Mac in the future. The steps to create a Genmoji are the same for iPhone and iPad.

First, open a conversation and tap the text field to bring up the keyboard. Then tap either the smiley face icon or the globe icon, depending on which one you have. After doing that, you should now see a multicolored smiley icon with a plus sign at the top right of your keyboard. Click that and a text bar will appear asking you to describe the emoji you want to create. Enter the description, then tap Done.

If you’re creating a Genmoji for a specific person, make sure they’re actually labeled in your Photos app. Then enter your description and tap the “Choose Person” option above the text field. It’ll show you who’s been identified by your photos, as well as some style options as a starting point. Click on the symbol you like, and it will create a Genmoji using that character.

You may not be satisfied with the results on the first try, and if so, just try modifying the description until you get better results. Once you’ve created a Genmoji, you’ll be able to find it in your keyboard by either swiping through all the emoji options or by tapping on the sticker icon. You can also add them to Tapback by long-pressing on a message, and tapping the smiley face with the plus icon to search the emoji keyboard.

How to delete Genmoji

If you create a Genmoji and later decide that you’re no longer interested in it, you can always delete it after the fact. To do this, go back to the emoji keyboard and swipe right across all pages or just tap the sticker icon. From there, find the Genmoji you want to get rid of, tap and hold on it, then tap Remove once the option appears.