Where to find and change your Memoji

Your Memoji lives in the Messages app on iPhone and iPad, or in the Stocks app on Mac. To edit it, open Messages, tap the Apps icon (the grid of dots) at the bottom left, then tap the Memoji sticker icon. Long-press your Memoji and select "Edit" — this opens the full customization screen where you can change any feature.

On Mac, open the Stocks app, find your Memoji in the sidebar, right-click it, and select "Edit Memoji". The editing interface is the same across devices: a carousel of categories on the left (skin tone, hairstyle, eyes, nose, mouth, and so on) and a preview of your face on the right as you make changes.

If you have multiple Memoji, you can edit each one separately. The changes save automatically — there is no "save" button to click. You can also delete a Memoji by long-pressing it and selecting "Delete", though you cannot undo this action.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Messages on iPhone or iPad, tap the Apps icon, then the Memoji sticker icon, long-press your Memoji, and select "Edit".
  • On Mac, open the Stocks app, right-click your Memoji in the sidebar, and select "Edit Memoji".
  • You can change skin tone, hairstyle, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, facial hair, head shape, and accessories — each category scrolls horizontally to show options.
  • Changes save automatically as you make them, and you can create multiple different Memoji if you want variations.

Changing basic features like skin tone and hairstyle

The first categories in the editing screen are skin tone and hairstyle. Swipe left or right within each category to see all available options. Skin tone includes a range of shades; hairstyle includes length, texture, and color. You can combine any skin tone with any hairstyle — they are independent choices.

Hair color is often tied to the hairstyle itself. If you want a different color, you may need to choose a different hairstyle first, then look for one in your preferred color. Some hairstyles come in multiple color options; others do not.

Customizing facial features

Eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and ears each have their own category. Scroll through the options for each one — you will see different eye shapes, eyebrow styles, nose widths, mouth shapes, and ear sizes. These choices are all independent, so you can mix and match freely.

The mouth category includes both shape and color. If you want to change lip color without changing mouth shape, look for the same mouth shape in a different color option as you scroll. Some mouth shapes appear in multiple colors; others appear in only one.

Adding facial hair and head shape

If you want a beard, mustache, or other facial hair, scroll to the facial hair category and choose a style. You can also set the color separately — scroll past the style options to find color choices for the same style. If you do not want facial hair, scroll to the "none" option at the start of the category.

Head shape determines the overall outline of your face. The options range from rounder to more angular. This is one of the harder features to change back if you do not like it, so take a moment to look at how each one changes your Memoji's appearance before moving on.

Choosing accessories and other details

Accessories include glasses, sunglasses, hats, and headwear. You can add one accessory or none at all. Scroll through the options and tap the one you want — it appears on your Memoji when ready. Some accessories have color options; scroll further to see them.

Other customization options may include head size, face shape adjustments, and details like freckles or beauty marks. These vary depending on which iOS or macOS version you are running. Scroll through all the categories to see what is available on your device.

Using your edited Memoji in messages and FaceTime

Once you have finished editing, close the editing screen by tapping outside of it or swiping down. Your Memoji now appears as a sticker in Messages — tap it to send it in a conversation. You can also use Memoji in FaceTime calls as a live animated avatar. During a FaceTime call, tap the three dots in the top right, then "Effects", then the Memoji icon to switch to your Memoji.

Your Memoji sticker appears in the same size and style in all conversations. If you want a different version for a different context, create a second Memoji instead of editing the first one. You can have as many Memoji as you want, and switch between them by tapping different ones in the sticker panel.

Troubleshooting common editing problems

If the editing screen does not open when you long-press your Memoji, make sure you are using the latest version of iOS or macOS. Older versions may not support Memoji editing, or may have bugs that prevent it from working. Check Settings > General > Software Update on iPhone, or System Settings > General > Software Update on Mac.

If your changes do not appear to save, close Messages or Stocks completely and reopen it. The app sometimes needs to refresh to display the updated Memoji. If a specific feature (like a hairstyle or accessory) is not showing up, it may not be available in your region or on your device — try a different option instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my edited Memoji as my contact photo or profile picture?

Yes. In Contacts, open your own card, tap "Edit", then tap your current photo and select "Choose Photo". Scroll to Memoji and tap your edited Memoji to set it as your contact photo. On social apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, you can take a screenshot of your Memoji sticker and use that as your profile picture instead.

What if I want to go back to my original Memoji after editing it?

There is no "undo" button in the Memoji editor. If you want to keep both versions, delete the current one and create a new Memoji from scratch with the original features. If you remember exactly what you changed, you can edit it back manually by going through each category and reverting your changes.

Can I share my Memoji with someone else or transfer it to another device?

Memoji are stored on your device and do not sync across devices automatically. If you have an iPhone and a Mac, you will need to recreate your Memoji on each one. You cannot send a Memoji file to another person, but you can send Memoji stickers in Messages, and they will see your Memoji in that conversation.

Why do some hairstyles or accessories not appear as options for me?

Apple adds new Memoji options with each iOS and macOS update. If you are running an older version, you may not see the newest hairstyles or accessories. Update to the latest software version to see all available options. Some options may also vary by region.