Where you can create custom emoji and what each option does

Custom emoji live in three separate places: on your phone or computer as actual files, inside specific apps that let you design them, and on servers that apps pull from when you use them. Where you create them depends on what you want to do with them. If you want a personal emoji keyboard on your phone, you build it on the device itself. If you want to share emoji across a group or community, you design them in an app and upload them to a server. If you want them only for one platform—Slack, Discord, a gaming server—you create them directly in that platform's settings.

The easiest route for most people is using a dedicated emoji-creation app on your phone or computer, designing the image, and then either saving it as a file or uploading it directly to the platform where you want to use it. The hardest route is building a custom emoji server and writing code to make apps recognize it, which is why most people never do that. Between those two extremes are platform-specific tools—Discord has a built-in emoji uploader, Slack has emoji customization in workspace settings, and some messaging apps let you import image files as stickers that function like emoji.

Key Takeaways

  • Most phones and computers let you add custom emoji through settings or a dedicated keyboard app, which stores them locally on your device.
  • Apps like Discord and Slack have their own emoji upload systems built into workspace or server settings, and custom emoji there only work within that app.
  • Emoji-design apps like Bitmoji, Memoji, or Noto Emoji Builder let you create images and save them as files or stickers for use across multiple apps.
  • Custom emoji files are usually PNG or SVG images, and the app or platform you upload to determines the size and format it accepts.
  • Sharing custom emoji with others requires either sending the image file directly or uploading it to a shared server that the other person's app can access.

Creating custom emoji on iPhone and iPad

iPhone and iPad do not have a built-in custom emoji creator in Settings. Instead, you use third-party apps. Memoji, which comes built into the Camera app on newer iPhones, creates animated emoji of your face, but these are limited to FaceTime and Messages. For broader custom emoji, read an app like Bitmoji (which integrates with Snapchat), Noto Emoji Builder (which is free and open-source), or any app labeled "emoji maker" in the App Store.

Once you create an emoji in one of these apps, you can save it as an image file to your Photos app, then share it through Messages, email, or any other app that accepts images. Some apps let you add the emoji directly to your keyboard through Settings > General > Keyboard > Emoji, though this only works if the app has built-in keyboard support. If you want to use custom emoji in Discord or Slack on your iPhone, you still need to upload them through the app's settings on a computer first—the mobile apps do not have upload functions.

Creating custom emoji on Android

Android phones have more flexibility than iPhones for custom emoji. Some Android keyboards, like Gboard, let you add custom stickers directly through the keyboard settings. read an emoji-creation app like Bitmoji, Noto Emoji Builder, or Sticker Maker Studio, create your emoji, and then either save it as an image or add it to your keyboard's sticker library. The process varies by app, but most have a button labeled "Save," "Export," or "Add to Keyboard."

Once saved, you can use the emoji in any app that accepts images or stickers. If you want to use custom emoji in Discord or Slack, the same rule applies as iPhone: upload them through the app's settings on a computer. The mobile app will display custom emoji that others have uploaded, but you cannot upload new ones from your phone.

Uploading custom emoji to Discord

Discord lets each server have its own set of custom emoji. To add them, you need to be a server administrator or have the "Manage Emoji and Stickers" permission. Open the server, go to Server Settings > Emoji, and click the "Upload Emoji" button. Select a PNG or GIF file from your computer—Discord accepts images up to 256 by 256 pixels. Name the emoji, and it will appear in the emoji picker for everyone in that server.

Discord emoji only work within that specific server. If you want the same emoji in multiple servers, you have to upload it to each one separately. You can also upload emoji from your phone by using the Discord app's built-in browser or by uploading through a computer and then viewing it on mobile. Free Discord servers can have up to 50 custom emoji; servers with Discord Nitro boost can have up to 250.

Uploading custom emoji to Slack

Slack workspace administrators can add custom emoji through Workspace Settings > Emoji. Click "Add Custom Emoji" and upload a PNG, GIF, JPG, or BMP file up to 128 by 128 pixels. Name it, and it will appear in the emoji picker for everyone in the workspace. Like Discord, Slack emoji are workspace-specific and do not carry over to other workspaces you are part of.

Slack also lets you create emoji aliases—alternate names for the same image. If you upload an emoji called "thumbsup_custom" but want people to type :custom_yes:, you can add that as an alias. This is useful when you want one image to respond to multiple names. Slack does not have a mobile upload function, so you must upload custom emoji from a computer.

Creating emoji files to share with others

If you want to send a custom emoji to a friend or colleague, you need to export it as an image file. Most emoji-creation apps have an "Export" or "Save" button that lets you choose the file format. PNG is the most common format because it supports transparency—the background around your emoji will be invisible instead of white or another color. SVG is a vector format that scales to any size without losing quality, but not all apps accept it.

Once you have the file, you can email it, text it, or upload it to a shared folder. The person receiving it can then import it into their own emoji app or upload it to a Discord or Slack server they manage. If you are sharing emoji across a team or community, consider creating a shared folder on Google Drive or Dropbox so everyone can access the latest versions.

Tools and apps for designing custom emoji

Bitmoji is the most popular custom emoji app. It creates cartoon versions of your face and lets you customize clothing, expressions, and poses. The emoji integrate with Snapchat, Gboard, and many messaging apps. Memoji on iPhone offers similar functionality but only works in Apple apps. Noto Emoji Builder is free and open-source, letting you design emoji from scratch without relying on your face. Sticker Maker Studio for Android lets you create stickers and emoji from photos or drawings.

For more advanced design, use a general image editor like Photoshop, GIMP (free), or Affinity Photo. These give you full control over the image but require more skill. Canva has an emoji template that walks you through the design process with pre-made elements. Pixlr is a free online editor that works in your browser. The right tool depends on whether you want to customize your face, design from scratch, or edit existing images.

File formats and size requirements

Different platforms accept different file formats and sizes. Discord accepts PNG and GIF up to 256 by 256 pixels. Slack accepts PNG, GIF, JPG, and BMP up to 128 by 128 pixels. Most phone emoji keyboards accept PNG or GIF. If you are unsure what a platform accepts, check its help documentation or try uploading and let the error message guide you.

PNG is the safest choice because it supports transparency and works everywhere. GIF works for animated emoji on Discord and some other platforms. JPG does not support transparency, so your emoji will have a colored background. SVG is a vector format that scales perfectly but is less widely supported. When you design your emoji, aim for a square canvas—emoji are always square—and keep important details away from the edges in case the platform crops it slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use custom emoji across multiple apps at once?

Not automatically. Custom emoji created in one app stay in that app unless you export them as image files and import them elsewhere. If you want the same emoji in Discord, Slack, and your phone keyboard, you need to upload or add it to each one separately. Bitmoji is an exception—it integrates with multiple apps and syncs across them.

What happens if I delete a custom emoji from Discord or Slack?

It disappears from the emoji picker and cannot be used in new messages. Old messages that used the emoji will show a broken image or the emoji name in brackets. Only server or workspace administrators can delete emoji, so regular members cannot accidentally remove them.

Can I make animated custom emoji?

Yes, if the platform supports it. Discord and Slack both accept GIF files for animated emoji. Create a GIF using an online tool like ezgif.com or an image editor like GIMP, then upload it the same way you would a static PNG. Animated emoji count against your server or workspace emoji limit just like static ones do.

How do I make my custom emoji look good at small sizes?

Keep the design straightforward and avoid thin lines or small details that blur when scaled down. Test your emoji at the actual size it will appear—128 by 128 pixels for Slack, 256 by 256 for Discord. Leave padding around the edges so nothing gets cut off. Bold shapes and solid colors work better than gradients or textures at small sizes.

Can I copyright or trademark a custom emoji I create?

You own the copyright to any original image you create, but copyright is automatic—you do not need to register it. If you upload it to a public Discord server or Slack workspace, anyone in that space can see and use it, though they cannot redistribute it elsewhere without permission. If you want to keep an emoji private, only upload it to servers or workspaces you control.