What an avatar is and where iPhones let you make one

An avatar is a digital picture that represents you — it can be a photo of your face, a cartoon character, an animal, or anything else you choose. On iPhone, you can create an avatar in two main places: in the Messages app (where it shows up when you text people) and in FaceTime (where it appears during video calls if you don't want to show your real face). Both use the same tool, called Memoji on newer iPhones.

The avatar you create is stored on your phone and syncs across your Apple devices if you use the same Apple ID. When you send a message or start a FaceTime call, the person on the other end sees your avatar instead of a blank space or your contact photo.

Key Takeaways

  • Avatars on iPhone are created using Memoji, a tool built into Messages and FaceTime that lets you design a cartoon version of yourself or any character you want.
  • You need an iPhone with iOS 12 or newer and a device with a front-facing camera to create a Memoji.
  • Once you create a Memoji, it appears automatically in Messages and FaceTime without any extra steps.
  • You can customize your Memoji's skin tone, hairstyle, facial features, and accessories, and create multiple different avatars if you want.

How to create a Memoji in Messages

Open the Messages app and start a new conversation or open an existing one. Tap the App Drawer icon (the grid of four dots) at the bottom left of the keyboard, then tap the Memoji icon — it looks like a smiling face. If you don't see it, swipe left through the app icons until you find it.

Tap the plus sign in the top left corner of the Memoji panel. This opens the Memoji creator. You'll see a cartoon face on the screen with customization options below it. Start by choosing your skin tone — tap "Skin Tone" and swipe through the options until you find the one you want. The face on screen updates as you change each setting.

Next, choose your hairstyle by tapping "Hair" and scrolling through the options. You can pick the color separately — tap "Hair Color" and select from the palette. Continue this way through the other features: head shape, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and ears. Each section has multiple options, and you can mix and match however you like.

Once you've customized the basic face, scroll down to add accessories like glasses, hats, piercings, or makeup. When your avatar looks the way you want it, tap "Done" in the top right corner. Your Memoji is now saved and ready to use.

How to create a Memoji in FaceTime

Open FaceTime and tap "Create Memoji" at the bottom of the screen. If you don't see this option, make sure you're on the main FaceTime screen, not inside a call. The Memoji creator opens with the same customization options as in Messages — skin tone, hair, facial features, and accessories.

Customize your avatar the same way you would in Messages: tap each category, scroll through options, and watch the preview update in real time. When you're finished, tap "Done". Your Memoji is saved and will show up the next time you start a FaceTime call.

What devices and iOS versions support Memoji

You need an iPhone with a front-facing camera and iOS 12 or newer to create a Memoji. This includes iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and all newer models. If you have an older iPhone, you can still use Memoji if you update to iOS 12 or later, but your phone must have a TrueDepth camera (the advanced camera system that enables Face ID).

iPad Pro models with a TrueDepth camera also support Memoji creation. If your device doesn't have the right camera, you won't see the Memoji creator option in Messages or FaceTime, but you can still receive and view Memoji from other people.

Editing or deleting a Memoji you've already created

To change your Memoji after you've created it, open Messages and tap the App Drawer, then tap the Memoji icon. Long-press on the Memoji you want to edit and tap "Edit". Make whatever changes you want — you can change any feature at any time — then tap "Done" to save.

To delete a Memoji, long-press it in the Memoji panel and tap "Delete". You can create as many different Memoji as you want, so you might have one that looks like you and another that's a silly character or animal. Each one is stored separately on your phone.

Using your Memoji in conversations

Once you've created a Memoji, it shows up automatically in Messages and FaceTime. In Messages, your Memoji appears next to your name at the top of the conversation. During a FaceTime call, your Memoji displays in the corner where your camera feed would normally show.

You can also send your Memoji as a sticker in a message. Open Messages, tap the App Drawer, tap the Memoji icon, and long-press your Memoji. Tap "Add Sticker" to send it as a single sticker in the conversation. This is different from using it as your avatar — it's just a fun way to add your character to a message.

Troubleshooting: Why you might not see the Memoji option

If you don't see the Memoji icon in Messages or FaceTime, first check that your iPhone has iOS 12 or newer. Go to Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update to see what version you're running. If an update is available, install it and try again.

If your device is up to date but you still don't see Memoji, your phone may not have a TrueDepth camera. Memoji requires this specific camera system, which is only in iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and newer models. If you have an older iPhone, you can still receive Memoji from others and use them in conversations, but you won't be able to create your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can other people see my Memoji if they don't have an iPhone?

If you send a Memoji sticker to someone with an Android phone or non-Apple device, it appears as a regular image. If you use your Memoji as your avatar in Messages or FaceTime, Android users see your avatar, but it may look slightly different on their device depending on their phone's display.

Can I use a photo of myself instead of creating a cartoon Memoji?

Memoji is designed to create cartoon avatars, not use photos. However, you can set a regular photo as your contact photo, which appears in some places. For Messages and FaceTime specifically, Memoji is the built-in avatar tool.

Do I need to do anything special to use my Memoji during a FaceTime call?

No. Once you've created a Memoji, it appears automatically during FaceTime calls. You don't need to turn it on or select it — it just shows up. If you want to switch back to your camera feed, you can tap the screen during the call to find the option to show your real face.

Can I create a Memoji that looks like someone else?

Yes. Memoji lets you customize every feature, so you can create any character you want — it doesn't have to look like you. You can make multiple Memoji and use whichever one you prefer for different conversations or calls.

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

If you sign in with the same Apple ID on your new iPhone, your Memoji syncs automatically through iCloud. You'll see all your created avatars on the new phone without having to recreate them.