How to create your own emoji with Genmoji on iPhone

With Apple Intelligence, you can create custom emoji, called Genmoji. Simply describe what you want the Genmoji to look like, combine existing emoji with descriptions, or create one of friends and family based on their photos.

You can add Genmoji to messages, share them as a sticker or Tapback, and more. You make them right from the emoji keyboard, with the Genmoji button at the top right.

Here’s how to create your own emoji with Genmoji on iPhone.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.*

Create Genmoji

1. Tap a text field. Then tap the Emoji button or the Next Keyboard key to switch to the emoji keyboard.
2. Tap Genmoji at the top right of the onscreen keyboard.
3. Do any of the following:
   • Describe it: Enter a description.
   • Use existing emoji or Genmoji as a base: Tap the Emoji button to choose emoji or Genmoji.
   • Add a person from your Photos library: Tap the Choose Person button, then select a person. You can add up to three people. Note: If you provide a text description that doesn’t match the person you selected, your image is personalized based on the photo you selected rather than the text description.
   • Add a photo of something else, like a pet, nature, or food: Tap the Choose or Take Photo button. Then choose an option.
4. Tap the Submit button to create your Genmoji.
5. To refine your Genmoji, describe a change or add existing emoji or Genmoji to the one you created.

   Note: Scroll up or down to move between versions of your Genmoji. You can move to a different version at any time and keep refining from there.

6. When you’re happy with your Genmoji, tap the Done button.

Each Genmoji you create is saved with your stickers. And you can create a Genmoji in Image Playground, too.

Delete Genmoji

1. Tap a text field. Then tap the Emoji button or the Next Keyboard key to switch to the emoji keyboard.
2. Swipe right or tap the Stickers button.
3. Touch and hold a Genmoji, then tap Delete.

You can also tap the Add button in a Messages conversation, then tap Stickers. Tap the Stickers button, touch and hold a Genmoji, then tap Delete.

To block access to image creation features, like Genmoji, use Screen Time settings.

Apple notes that the recommended age for realistic images is 18+.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.