iPhone lets you build custom emoji from photos, but the feature only works one way
You can create a custom emoji on iPhone using the Memoji feature in Messages, FaceTime, and Mail. Memoji are animated emoji that mimic your facial expressions in real time — they start from a cartoon face template and let you change skin tone, hairstyle, eyes, nose, mouth, and accessories. The catch: these are personal to your device. You cannot send a Memoji sticker to someone with an Android phone, and if you delete the app data, your Memoji disappears.
If you want a static emoji made from a photo of yourself or anything else, iPhone does not have a built-in tool for that. You would need a third-party app from the App Store, and those vary widely in quality and what they actually deliver.
Key Takeaways
- Memoji are animated custom emoji built into Messages, FaceTime, and Mail on iPhone — you customize a cartoon face template with your own choices for skin, hair, eyes, and accessories.
- Memoji only work between iPhone users; Android phones cannot receive or display them, so they appear as static images instead.
- You create a Memoji by opening Messages, tapping the emoji icon, then the smiley-face icon, then the plus sign to start a new Memoji from scratch.
- Third-party apps can turn photos into emoji-like stickers, but the results depend on which app you choose and what you are willing to pay.
How to create a Memoji in Messages
Open the Messages app and start a new conversation or open an existing one. Tap the emoji icon at the bottom of the keyboard (it looks like a smiley face). Tap the smiley-face icon again at the left side of the emoji panel. You should see your existing Memoji, if you have any, plus a blue circle with a plus sign — tap that plus sign.
You now see a cartoon face with sliders and buttons for every feature. Start with skin tone, then move through hairstyle, hair color, head shape, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, ears, facial hair, and accessories like glasses or hats. Each choice updates the preview in real time. When you are done, tap Done. Your Memoji is saved and ready to send.
To send your Memoji in a message, tap the emoji icon, tap the smiley-face icon, find your Memoji, and tap it. You can also long-press a Memoji to see pose options — it will show different expressions like laughing, surprised, or angry.
Creating Memoji in FaceTime and Mail
You can also create a Memoji directly in FaceTime. Start a FaceTime call, tap the effects icon (three dots in a circle), then tap the smiley-face icon. Tap the plus sign to create a new Memoji using the same customization screen as Messages.
In Mail, the process is similar but less common. Open a new email, tap in the message body, then tap the emoji icon and follow the same steps. Most people create Memoji in Messages because that is where you use them most often.
What happens when you send Memoji to Android users
When you send a Memoji to someone with an Android phone, it arrives as a static image, not an animated emoji. The person sees a still picture of your Memoji in the pose you sent, but it does not animate or respond to their expressions. They cannot create or customize Memoji themselves because that feature does not exist on Android.
If cross-platform compatibility matters to you — meaning you want everyone to see the same thing regardless of their phone — stick to standard emoji. Those work the same way on iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows.
Using third-party apps to turn photos into emoji
If you want to turn a photo of yourself or a pet into an emoji-like sticker, you need an app from the App Store. Popular options include Bitmoji (which creates a cartoon version of you), Snapchat (which has similar cartoon-building tools), and various photo-to-emoji converters. These apps vary in cost — some are free with in-app purchases, others charge upfront.
The quality and usability depend on the app. Bitmoji integrates with Messages and lets you send stickers directly from the keyboard. Other apps may require you to save the emoji as an image and paste it manually. Read the reviews and try the free version first if one is available.
One important difference: stickers created in third-party apps are not true emoji. They are images that live in a separate keyboard or app. They do not work in all places that standard emoji work, and they may not display correctly on older devices or in all messaging platforms.
Editing or deleting a Memoji you created
To edit a Memoji, open Messages, tap the emoji icon, tap the smiley-face icon, find the Memoji you want to change, and long-press it. Tap Edit. Make your changes and tap Done. The updated version replaces the old one everywhere you have used it.
To delete a Memoji, long-press it and tap Delete. This removes it from your device permanently. If you have already sent it in messages, those messages still show the Memoji, but you cannot send it again.
Why Memoji sometimes look different on other devices
If you use the same iCloud account on multiple devices — an iPhone and an iPad, for example — your Memoji sync between them. However, if someone views your Memoji on a Mac or older iPhone model, it may render slightly differently depending on the device's software version. The core design stays the same, but small details like lighting or animation smoothness can vary.
This is also why Memoji look so different on Android: Android does not have the same rendering engine, so it cannot display the animation at all. The static image is the closest Android can get.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo of myself to create a Memoji?
No, Memoji does not scan your face or use a photo. You customize a cartoon template by hand using sliders and buttons. If you want an emoji based on an actual photo, you need a third-party app like Bitmoji or a photo-to-sticker converter from the App Store.
Do Memoji work on iPad?
Yes, if your iPad runs iPadOS 13 or later, you can create and use Memoji in Messages, Mail, and Notes. They sync with your iPhone if you use the same iCloud account. You cannot use Memoji in FaceTime on iPad.
Can I send a Memoji to a group chat with Android users?
Yes, but Android users in the group will see it as a static image, not an animated emoji. iPhone users in the same chat will see it animate normally. This is why some people stick to standard emoji for mixed-device groups.
What if I want to use my Memoji as a profile picture?
You can save a Memoji as an image by taking a screenshot when you send it, then crop and save it. However, there is no built-in export feature. Third-party apps may offer better options for saving Memoji as high-quality images.
Do I lose my Memoji if I get a new iPhone?
No, if you restore from an iCloud backup or sign into the same iCloud account on your new iPhone, your Memoji transfer automatically. If you set up as a new device without restoring a backup, you will need to recreate them.