You can make emoji on your computer using design software, then install them on your phone or use them online

Creating custom emoji means drawing or designing an image, saving it in the right format, and then either installing it on your device or uploading it to a platform that accepts custom images. The process splits into two paths: making emoji for personal use on your phone (which requires your device's settings or a third-party app), or making them for use in messaging apps, Slack workspaces, or Discord servers (which is usually simpler because those platforms have built-in upload tools).

You do not need special software — any design tool that can save images as PNG files will work. That includes free options like Photoshop's free trial, GIMP, Canva, or even Pixlr. The actual creation takes the same steps whether you are drawing from scratch or editing an existing image.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom emoji for messaging apps like Slack or Discord upload directly through the app's settings, with no installation step needed.
  • Emoji for your phone keyboard require either a dedicated emoji app or, on some Android devices, access to your keyboard settings to add custom packs.
  • The image should be square (same width and height), at least 128 by 128 pixels, and saved as a PNG file with a transparent background for the best result.
  • Most platforms limit file size to 1 to 5 megabytes, so a straightforward design compresses easily without losing quality.
  • iPhone users cannot add custom emoji to the system keyboard without jailbreaking, but can use emoji keyboard apps or send them through messaging apps instead.

Making emoji in design software

Start by opening your design tool and creating a new document that is square — 512 by 512 pixels is a good size because it scales down cleanly to smaller sizes. Set the background to transparent (not white or any color) so the emoji works on any background when you use it.

Draw or paste your image. If you are drawing, use a brush tool or shape tools to create your design. If you are editing a photo or existing image, paste it in and crop or resize it to fit the square. Keep the design straightforward — emoji are small, so fine details disappear when the image shrinks. Bold lines, solid colors, and clear shapes work better than gradients or thin strokes.

When you are done, export the file as PNG. In most software this is File > Export As (or Export), then choose PNG from the format menu. Name it something short and clear — "happy-face" or "coffee-cup" rather than "emoji-1" — because you will see this name when you upload it. Do not use spaces in the filename; use hyphens or underscores instead.

Adding emoji to Slack or Discord

Slack and Discord both let you upload custom emoji directly through their apps or website, and the process takes less than a minute. In Slack, go to your workspace name in the top left, select Customize Slack, then click Emoji. Click Upload an Emoji, choose your PNG file, and give it a name (this is what people type to use it, like :coffee:). Click Save.

In Discord, open your server, click the server name at the top, select Server Settings, then Emoji. Click Upload Emoji, choose your file, name it, and click Upload. Both platforms accept PNG files up to a few megabytes, and both let you delete or replace emoji later if you change your mind.

Other messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Messenger do not have built-in custom emoji uploads, but you can share emoji as sticker packs instead. The process is similar — you upload images through the app's sticker creation tool — but the images are usually larger and work differently than traditional emoji.

Installing emoji on your Android phone

Android phones can use custom emoji through keyboard apps or, on some devices, through the system keyboard settings. The easiest route is a third-party emoji keyboard app like Gboard (Google's keyboard), which has a built-in emoji search and lets you add custom packs through the app store.

If your phone's default keyboard supports custom emoji, open Settings > Language and Input (or Keyboard), tap your keyboard app, and look for an Emoji or Stickers option. Some keyboards let you import PNG files directly; others require you to create a sticker pack through their developer tools. Check your keyboard app's help section to see which method it supports.

For the most control, use an app like Emoji Maker or Sticker Maker from the Google Play Store. These apps let you import your PNG files, organize them into packs, and use them across any app on your phone. Most are free and do not require technical knowledge.

Custom emoji on iPhone

iPhone does not let you add custom emoji to the system keyboard without jailbreaking, which voids your warranty and is not recommended. Instead, you have two practical options: use an emoji keyboard app, or send custom images through messaging apps.

Emoji keyboard apps like Emoji+, Facemoji, or Kika Keyboard install as a third-party keyboard on your phone. You set them as your default keyboard in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard. Once installed, you can switch to that keyboard when you want to use custom emoji. These apps often include pre-made emoji packs, and some let you import your own PNG files.

Alternatively, use messaging apps that support custom emoji natively. Slack, Discord, and Telegram all let you send custom emoji within their apps, even on iPhone. You cannot use them in the system keyboard, but you can use them anywhere within those apps.

Getting the image size and format right

Emoji work best when they are square images with a transparent background. If you are not sure whether your image has a transparent background, open it in your design software and check: the background should show a checkerboard pattern, not a solid color.

For size, 128 by 128 pixels is the minimum for most platforms, but 256 by 256 or 512 by 512 gives you more room to work with detail. Larger files compress down when you upload them, so starting bigger is safer than starting too small.

File size matters only if you are uploading to a platform with strict limits. Most messaging apps accept PNG files up to 5 megabytes. A straightforward emoji design usually compresses to under 100 kilobytes, so you will not hit that limit unless your image is very complex or has many colors.

Using emoji you find online

If you find emoji online that you want to use, check the license first. Some emoji are free to use and share; others require credit or are not free to modify. If the source does not say, assume you cannot use it without permission.

Once you have permission, read the image and follow the same steps as above: make sure it is PNG format with a transparent background, check that it is at least 128 by 128 pixels, then upload it to your platform or app. If the image is in a different format (like JPG or GIF), open it in your design software, paste it onto a transparent background, and export it as PNG.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo as emoji?

Yes, but it works better if you crop it to a square and keep it straightforward. Photos with lots of detail become hard to see when they shrink to emoji size. Consider converting the photo to black and white or adding a solid color background to make it clearer at small sizes.

What if my emoji looks blurry when I use it?

The image is probably too small. Start with at least 256 by 256 pixels, or 512 by 512 if you have time. Also check that you exported it as PNG, not JPG — JPG compression makes images blurry, while PNG keeps them sharp.

Can I make animated emoji?

Some platforms support animated emoji using GIF or APNG format instead of static PNG. Slack and Discord both accept GIF files. You can create animated emoji in design software like Photoshop or GIMP by making multiple layers and exporting them as an animated GIF, but it takes more time than a static image.

Do I need to pay for design software to make emoji?

No. Free options like GIMP, Canva, or Pixlr work just as well as paid software for emoji. Photoshop offers a free trial if you want to try it, but you do not need it for straightforward designs.

What happens if I upload emoji that are too big or the wrong format?

Most platforms will reject the upload and tell you the problem — usually that the file is too large or the format is not supported. You can then resize the image or convert it to PNG and try again. There is no penalty for failed uploads.