Where to find and change your Memoji

Your Memoji lives in the Messages app, FaceTime, and Contacts on iPhone and iPad, or in Messages and FaceTime on Mac. To edit it, open Messages, tap the Compose button (the pencil in a square), then tap the plus sign at the bottom left. Scroll right through the app icons until you see Memoji, tap it, then tap the three dots next to your existing Memoji. Choose "Edit" and you're in the editor.

On Mac, open Messages, start a new conversation, click the app drawer icon (looks like an "A" in a circle), scroll to Memoji, then right-click your Memoji and select "Edit". The editing screen is the same across all devices — a full-face view with categories running down the left side that let you change one feature at a time.

You can also reach the editor from the Contacts app by finding your own contact card, tapping "Edit", then tapping your Memoji photo. This route is useful if you want to update the Memoji that appears next to your name when you message someone.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Messages, tap Compose, then the plus sign, scroll to Memoji, and tap the three dots next to your Memoji to edit it.
  • You can change skin tone, hairstyle, facial features, head shape, and accessories all from one editing screen.
  • Skin tone and head shape are separate options — changing one does not automatically change the other.
  • Edits save automatically when you close the editor, and your changes appear everywhere your Memoji is used.
  • You can create multiple Memojis by tapping the plus sign in the Memoji picker instead of the three dots.

Changing skin tone, hair, and head shape

Tap "Skin Tone" at the top of the left menu to see a row of options. Swipe left or right to find the tone you want, then tap it. The change appears on your Memoji in real time. Skin tone is separate from head shape — you can have any skin tone with any head shape.

Hair is usually the second option in the menu. Tap it to see styles organized by category: long hair, short hair, bald, and specialty styles. Each style shows a preview on your Memoji as you scroll. Some hairstyles come with color options — if you see a color wheel icon next to the style name, tap it to change the hair color independently.

Head shape sits lower in the menu and controls the overall structure of your face — round, oval, square, or heart-shaped. Like skin tone, this is independent of other features. Changing your head shape does not reset your other choices.

Editing facial features one at a time

The middle section of the menu contains individual features: eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and ears. Tap any of these to see a row of style options. Each style updates on your Memoji when ready, so you can compare them without closing the editor.

Some features have secondary options. Eyes, for example, often let you choose the eye shape and then the eye color separately. If you see a color wheel next to an option, tap it to adjust that feature's color. Eyebrows work the same way — pick the shape, then pick the color if you want something different from your hair color.

Mouth includes both the lip shape and the expression. You can have a neutral mouth, a smile, or other expressions. Tap the mouth option, scroll through the styles, and pick the one that matches how you want to look.

Adding and removing accessories

Scroll down past the facial features to find Accessories. This section includes glasses, sunglasses, hats, headwear, and face decorations. Tap any category to see what's available. You can add multiple accessories at once — for example, glasses and a hat together — or remove them all by scrolling to the beginning of each category and tapping "None".

Some accessories have color options. Glasses, for instance, might let you choose the frame color and lens tint separately. Tap the color wheel if you see one next to the accessory you picked.

Accessories stay in place across all your messages and calls. If you want a different look for a specific conversation, you can create a second Memoji instead of editing your main one — just go back to the Memoji picker and tap the plus sign to add a new character.

Saving your changes and using your edited Memoji

Your edits save automatically when you close the editor. You do not need to tap a Save button or confirm your changes. Close the editor by tapping outside the editing screen or swiping down, and your Memoji updates everywhere it appears — in Messages, FaceTime, Contacts, and any other app that uses it.

Your edited Memoji appears next to your name in group chats, in your contact card, and as your picture in FaceTime calls. If you share your contact information with someone, they see your updated Memoji too.

If you change your mind about an edit, you can go back into the editor at any time and make a new choice. There is no limit to how many times you can edit your Memoji.

Creating multiple Memojis for different looks

You can create up to 40 different Memojis on a single device. Each one is a separate character with its own name and appearance. To add a new one, open the Memoji picker (Messages > Compose > plus sign > Memoji), then tap the plus sign in the top left corner of the Memoji grid. You'll start with a blank editor and can build a completely different character.

Multiple Memojis are useful if you want different versions for different moods or contexts — a professional-looking one for work conversations, a casual one for friends, or a silly one just for fun. Each Memoji is independent, so editing one does not affect the others.

To switch between your Memojis in a conversation, open the Memoji picker and tap the one you want to use. The one you pick becomes active for that message or call.

Troubleshooting Memoji edits that do not appear

If you edit your Memoji but the changes do not show up in Messages or FaceTime, close the app completely and reopen it. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top on newer iPhones) to close Messages entirely, then tap the Messages icon to relaunch it. Your edits should appear when ready.

If you are using an older device or an older version of iOS, iPad OS, or macOS, some Memoji features may not be available. Memoji editing requires iOS 12.1 or later on iPhone, iPad OS 12.1 or later on iPad, and macOS 10.14.1 or later on Mac. Check your device settings under General > Software Update to confirm you are running a current version.

If your Memoji editor looks different from the description above, you may be on an older operating system. Update your device to access the full range of editing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Memoji as my profile picture on other apps?

Most third-party apps do not pull your Memoji directly. You can take a screenshot of your Memoji in the Messages app and save it as an image, then upload that image to other apps. Open your Memoji in Messages, take a screenshot, then crop it in Photos to remove the background.

What happens to my Memoji if I get a new phone?

Your Memoji is stored in iCloud if you have iCloud Contacts turned on. When you set up a new iPhone or iPad with the same Apple ID, your Memojis transfer automatically. If you do not use iCloud Contacts, your Memojis stay on your old device and do not transfer.

Can I change my Memoji's name?

Memojis are named automatically based on their appearance, and you cannot rename them manually. The name appears in the Memoji picker to help you identify which character is which, but it does not affect how the Memoji works in Messages or FaceTime.

Why do some Memoji features look different on my friend's phone?

Memoji features vary slightly depending on the device and operating system version. A hairstyle or accessory might render slightly differently on iPhone versus iPad, or on older versus newer models. The Memoji itself is the same, but the display can vary.

Can I delete a Memoji I created?

Yes. Open the Memoji picker, long-press the Memoji you want to remove, and tap "Delete". You cannot delete your original default Memoji, but you can edit it to look however you want instead.