Create Genmoji: Custom emojis with Apple Intelligence

A cactus in rainbow colors, your own pet as an emoji, or two symbols merged into one – with Genmoji, you can create personalized emojis in seconds, directly from the keyboard. Apple Intelligence generates them locally on the device in the familiar Apple style. What began with iOS 18.2 as a simple text-to-emoji generator has since become a flexible tool with a mix function, customizable facial expressions, and the ability to edit them afterward – and with iOS 27, it gets noticeably better.

Genmoji are among the most visible features of Apple Intelligence and can be used wherever the iPhone keyboard appears – in Messages, Notes, Mail, or many third-party apps. The basic idea is simple: You describe in a few words what the emoji should look like, and the system generates several variations for you to choose from. The biggest leap in functionality came with the comprehensive Genmoji update in iOS 26, which introduced the ability to combine multiple emojis, customizable facial expressions, and post-processing editing. In Germany and the rest of the EU, the feature has been available since iOS 18.4 – the following steps refer to the current version under iOS 26.

What is a Genmoji?

Genmoji are AI-generated emojis created directly on the device by Apple Intelligence. Unlike classic Unicode emojis, which are predefined, Genmoji are created individually based on a description, a combination of existing emojis, or a person from the photo library. Technically, they aren't true emojis, but rather small images that behave like stickers: They can be placed inline in text, sent as stickers, or used as a tapback response. Because Genmoji are transmitted as images, recipients with Android devices or older iPhones also see the result - though only as a static image, not as an editable emoji.

Requirements: Equipment and setup

Genmoji is an Apple Intelligence feature and therefore requires correspondingly powerful hardware. The feature itself has been available since iOS 18.2 (in the EU since iOS 18.4); however, the options described here, such as emoji mixing and customizable facial expressions, require at least iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe 26.

Category	Requirement
iPhone	iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, as well as all models in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series and newer (including 16e, 17e and iPhone Air)
iPad	Models with M1 chip or newer, and iPad mini with A17 Pro or newer
Mac	All models with Apple Silicon chip (M1 or newer)
Apple Vision Pro	Supports
Software	at least iOS 26, iPadOS 26 or macOS Tahoe 26
activation	Apple Intelligence enabled

The basic requirement is a compatible device with Apple Intelligence enabled. The Apple Intelligence setup guide describes in detail how to activate and configure the AI functions. After activation, the system downloads the necessary models in the background – only then is Genmoji available.

Creating Genmoji – Step by Step

To get started, all you need is a text input app. The most common method is via the messaging app, but it works just as well in Notes or email.

Create Genmoji via description

1. Open a text field and bring up the emoji keyboard by tapping the emoji key or the globe icon.
2. Tap the Genmoji button in the top right corner. Alternatively, open Messages, tap the plus icon to the left of the text field, and select "Genmoji".
3. In the "Describe Genmoji" field, enter a description, for example "Dog with sunglasses" or "Cactus in rainbow colors".
4. Tap the arrow key. The system will generate several options, which you can swipe left and right through. If the selection isn't sufficient, the function can generate further suggestions upon request.
5. Confirm your chosen option by clicking the checkmark in the upper right corner. The Genmoji will be inserted and saved to your sticker collection.

Combine multiple emojis (emoji mix)

Since iOS 26, it has been possible to create a Genmoji completely without text – solely from existing emojis.

1. Open the Genmoji function as described above.
2. Tap an emoji in the suggestion bar above the input field, or open the full emoji keyboard via the grey smiley icon and select any symbol as the concept.
3. Add more concepts – up to seven elements can be combined in total. Clicking "Show more" reveals additional suggestions, sorted by theme, facial expression, costume, accessory, and location.
4. A short description in the text field further refines the result. You can remove a concept using the minus symbol next to it.
5. Confirm your desired option by checking the box.

A practical tip: Using too many concepts at once often reduces accuracy. Two to three elements usually lead to the most convincing result.

Create Genmoji from a person or a photo

1. Open the Genmoji feature and tap "Select a person" – or enter the name of a person who has already been recognized and named in the Photos app.
2. Add a description if needed, for example "Sofia laughing".
3. Under "Customize Appearance" you can select hairstyle, facial hair, and glasses from drop-down menus. In the "More Details" field, you can make specific adjustments, for example, with "blue glasses" or "make the glasses yellow".
4. If the starting point is not suitable, select a different image via "Select another photo" – or reset to the original state with "Reset appearance".
5. Confirm the result with the checkmark.

In order for a person to be available for selection, they must first have been named in the Photos app.

Customize Genmoji: Expression, appearance and details

With iOS 26, it's possible to modify an existing Genmoji instead of creating a completely new one. This is particularly beneficial for Genmoji based on real people, allowing for more precise facial expressions – such as happy, surprised, tired, or annoyed. Physical characteristics like hairstyle, beard, or glasses can also be adjusted. This makes the emojis more individual and closer to the real person, whereas previous versions often remained neutral in these areas.

Create Genmoji in Image Playground

Since iOS 26, Genmojis can also be created directly in Image Playground, Apple's AI-powered image generation app. There, Genmojis no longer need to be created separately via the keyboard or a messaging app, but can be designed within a visual context. This is particularly useful if the result is intended for use in images, presentations, or social media posts.

Use and share Genmoji

Genmoji live in the emoji keyboard and therefore work in almost any text-enabled app – from Messages and Notes to Mail and many third-party apps. In an iMessage conversation, a Genmoji can be used in several ways: as a large, standalone emoji, in the middle of a sentence like a regular emoji, as a sticker dragged onto a message, or as a Tapback reaction. In traditional SMS or RCS messages, it is sent as an image.

Direct Genmoji integration may be limited in some apps – this applies to some apps from Meta. However, in WhatsApp and similar services, Genmoji can usually still be sent as an image or sticker, even if the native keyboard integration doesn't always work.

Delete Genmoji

Unneeded Genmoji can be removed in just a few steps:

1. Open the emoji keyboard and switch to the sticker section.
2. Place your finger on the relevant Genmoji and hold it down.
3. Tap "Delete".

Alternatively, this also works in the Messages app via the app bar and the sticker area there.

If Genmoji isn't working

If the Genmoji button does not appear or the message "Loading Genmoji support" appears, it is usually due to one of these reasons:

• Apple Intelligence is still loading: After activation, the system downloads several gigabytes of models. Genmoji will not be available until this is complete. The device should be connected to Wi-Fi and power for this to work.
• Apple Intelligence is not enabled: The feature must be turned on in the settings under "Apple Intelligence & Siri".
• Device or iOS version not supported: Genmoji requires a compatible device and a current iOS version (see requirements).
• Languages don't match: Device and Siri language must be set to the same supported language, for example, both to German.
• Insufficient storage space: The device requires sufficient free storage space for the local models.
• Restart: If none of the above helps, restarting the device may make the function available again.

What iOS 27 brings for Genmoji

With iOS 27, which Apple will release this fall and is currently testing as a beta, Genmoji creation will receive a revamped process. The key new feature is a "Describe Change" function: Instead of completely regenerating a Genmoji with every edit, users can selectively modify an existing result by entering text. Individual colors, objects, or details can be changed while the base remains intact – allowing for the creation of more complex, multi-part Genmoji through multiple steps. Additionally, style options are available for the first time: Besides the preset 3D cartoon look, users can also create Genmojis as drawings or sketches. The creation process is also intended to be faster and less taxing on the device – a criticism of previous versions that noticeably impacted battery life and temperature.

Also new is a suggestion feature: A switch in the keyboard settings ensures that Genmoji are automatically suggested based on your own photos and frequently typed phrases. The feature is optional, can be turned off, and the processing takes place locally on the device.

Genmoji become more personal with each generation

From a simple text-to-emoji generator, Genmoji has evolved into a versatile tool: Emoji mixing, customizable facial expressions, post-production editing, and integration with Image Playground make the feature more flexible in everyday use than it initially appears. Users of a supported device with Apple Intelligence enabled can create emojis in seconds that will never be available in the standard set – and with iOS 27, the process becomes even quicker.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Creating Genmoji