What a Memoji is and where you can use it

A Memoji is a cartoon version of your face that you create on an Apple device. It uses your device's camera to read your facial features — the shape of your face, your skin tone, the style of your hair — and builds a digital character that looks like you. Once you create it, you can use it in Messages, FaceTime, Mail, and some third-party apps. It moves with your face in real time during video calls, so when you smile, your Memoji smiles.

Memoji is different from an emoji, which is a fixed yellow smiley face or other symbol that everyone sees the same way. Your Memoji is personal to you and can be customized down to the shape of your nose and the color of your eyes.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an iPhone XS or newer, an iPad Pro with Face ID, or an Apple Watch Series 4 or later to create a Memoji.
  • On iPhone and iPad, you create a Memoji through the Messages app by tapping the Memoji button and selecting "New Memoji".
  • You can customize dozens of features including face shape, skin tone, hairstyle, eyes, nose, mouth, and accessories like glasses or hats.
  • Once created, your Memoji appears in the Memoji keyboard and can be used in any app that supports emoji, including FaceTime and Mail.

What devices can run Memoji

Memoji requires a device with Face ID — Apple's facial recognition technology. On iPhones, that means iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or any newer model. Older iPhones with Touch ID (the fingerprint sensor) cannot create Memoji.

On iPad, you need an iPad Pro with Face ID. The standard iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini do not have Face ID and cannot create Memoji. On Apple Watch, Series 4 and later can create Memoji, though the process is different and more limited than on iPhone or iPad.

If your device does not have Face ID, you can still use Memoji that someone else created and shared with you, but you cannot make your own.

How to create a Memoji on iPhone or iPad

Open the Messages app and start a new conversation or open an existing one. At the bottom of the screen, tap the app drawer icon (four dots in a circle). Swipe left through the row of app icons until you see the Memoji button — it looks like a smiling face. Tap it.

A screen will appear showing your face in the camera. At the bottom, you will see "New Memoji" with a plus sign. Tap that. Your device will now show you a list of customization options: Skin Tone, Head Shape, Hair, Eyes, Eyebrows, Nose, Mouth, Ears, Facial Hair, and more. Scroll through each category and tap the style you want. You can preview each choice in real time on your face in the camera view.

Work through the list until your Memoji looks the way you want it. You can add glasses, hats, piercings, or other accessories by scrolling down to those sections. When you are done, tap "Done" in the top right corner. Your Memoji is now saved and will appear in your Memoji keyboard whenever you want to use it.

Customization options you can change

Apple gives you dozens of ways to personalize your Memoji. The basic categories are Skin Tone, Head Shape, and Hair Style — these are the foundation. From there, you can adjust Eyes (shape and color), Eyebrows (shape and color), Nose (shape and size), Mouth (shape and color), and Ears (size and shape).

You can also add facial hair (beard, mustache, sideburns), change your cheek color, add freckles or beauty marks, and choose whether to show wrinkles. Accessories include glasses, sunglasses, hats, headwear, masks, and piercings. Some accessories are seasonal — for example, Santa hats appear around the holidays.

If you want to make multiple Memoji, you can create up to 32 different ones on a single device. Each one is saved separately, so you might have one Memoji for work conversations and another for friends.

How to use your Memoji in Messages and other apps

Once your Memoji is created, it appears in the Memoji keyboard. In any app that lets you type — Messages, Mail, Notes — tap the emoji button on your keyboard (usually a smiley face icon). Swipe left to find the Memoji section. Your Memoji will be there as a sticker you can tap and send.

In Messages, you can also use your Memoji as a Memoji Sticker. These are pre-made poses and expressions of your Memoji — thumbs up, laughing, thinking, and so on. Tap and hold your Memoji in the keyboard to see the sticker options.

During a FaceTime call, you can use a Memoji filter so that your face appears as your Memoji instead of your real face. Swipe up from the bottom of the FaceTime screen to see effects, then tap the Memoji option. Your Memoji will track your facial movements in real time during the call.

Editing or deleting a Memoji you already made

To edit a Memoji, open Messages and tap the Memoji button again. Find the Memoji you want to change and tap and hold it. A menu will appear with options to "Edit" or "Delete". Tap "Edit" and you will see the same customization screen you used to create it. Make your changes and tap "Done".

If you want to delete a Memoji entirely, tap and hold it in the Memoji keyboard and select "Delete". You can always create a new one later. Deleting a Memoji does not affect any messages where you already sent it — those messages will still show your old Memoji.

Sharing your Memoji with other people

You can share your Memoji with other iPhone users by sending it in a message. straightforward tap your Memoji in the keyboard and send it. The person who receives it can save it to their own device and use it themselves.

If someone sends you their Memoji, you will see an option to add it to your Memoji collection. Tap "Add Memoji" and it will appear in your Memoji keyboard. You can use it in messages, but you cannot edit it — it remains as the original creator designed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Memoji on Android or Windows?

No. Memoji is an Apple-only feature and requires Face ID, which is only on Apple devices. Android phones have similar features like Google's Emoji Kitchen, but they work differently and are not called Memoji.

What happens if I change my appearance — do I need to update my Memoji?

You do not have to, but you can. Your Memoji is a static creation that does not change unless you edit it. If you cut your hair or grow a beard, you can edit your Memoji to match, or you can leave it as is. It is entirely up to you.

Can I use my Memoji in apps other than Messages?

Yes, but it depends on the app. Any app that supports the standard emoji keyboard — like Mail, Notes, Twitter, or Instagram — will show your Memoji in the emoji section. Some apps may not support Memoji stickers, but most modern apps do.

Is Memoji the same as an Animoji?

No. Animoji are cartoon animals (a monkey, a dog, a unicorn) that move with your face. Memoji is a cartoon version of your own face. Both use Face ID and work similarly in FaceTime and Messages, but Memoji is designed to look like you.

Do I need to be connected to the internet to create a Memoji?

No. Memoji creation happens on your device using the camera and Face ID. You do not need Wi-Fi or cellular data to create one, though you will need internet to send it to someone in Messages.