What a Genmoji is and where to find it
A Genmoji is a custom emoji that you create using artificial intelligence on your iPhone or iPad. Instead of choosing from Apple's built-in emoji library, you describe what you want — a cat wearing sunglasses, your initials in a specific style, a pizza slice doing a dance — and the device generates a unique image that looks like an emoji. You can then use it anywhere you type: in messages, emails, notes, or social media apps.
Genmoji is built into iPhones and iPads running iOS 18.1 or later and iPadOS 18.1 or later. You access it through the emoji keyboard, the same place you normally tap to insert a regular emoji. The feature requires an internet connection because the image generation happens on Apple's servers, not on your device.
Genmoji is different from creating a Memoji (Apple's customizable cartoon avatar). A Memoji is a stylized version of you or a character you design. A Genmoji is a one-off image you generate by typing a description, and it appears as an emoji-sized graphic you can drop into any text.
Key Takeaways
- Genmoji requires iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or later, and you create it by tapping the plus icon in the emoji keyboard and describing what you want.
- You can regenerate the image multiple times if the first result does not match your description, and you can edit the image after creation.
- Once you save a Genmoji, it appears in your emoji keyboard under the "Recents" tab and stays there until you delete it.
- Genmoji works in any app where you can type — Messages, Mail, Notes, third-party messaging apps — as long as the app supports custom emoji.
Check your device and software version
Before you start, confirm that your device supports Genmoji. Go to Settings, then tap General, then About. Look at the line that says "Software Version" or "Version". If it shows iOS 18.1 or later (on iPhone) or iPadOS 18.1 or later (on iPad), you can create Genmoji. If your version is lower, you will need to update your device first.
To update, go back to Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. If an update is available, tap read and Install. Your device will restart during the process. Make sure your battery is at least 50 percent charged before you start, and stay connected to Wi-Fi.
If you see a message that says your device is up to date but the version is still below 18.1, Apple may not have released the update to your region yet. Check back in a few days, or contact Apple Support to confirm your device model is compatible.
Open the emoji keyboard and find the Genmoji button
Open any app where you can type — Messages, Mail, Notes, or a web browser. Tap in the text field so the keyboard appears. On the keyboard, look for the emoji icon (it looks like a smiling face). Tap it to switch to the emoji keyboard.
At the top of the emoji keyboard, you will see several tabs: a clock icon (Recents), a smiling face (Smileys), a hand (People), and others. Look for a plus icon (+) at the far left of these tabs. This is the Genmoji button. Tap it to open the Genmoji creation screen.
If you do not see the plus icon, swipe left through the tabs at the top of the emoji keyboard. The plus icon should appear before the Recents tab. If it still does not show up, restart your device and try again — sometimes the emoji keyboard needs a refresh.
Describe what you want and generate the image
After you tap the plus icon, a text field will appear with the prompt "Describe a Genmoji". Type a description of what you want the emoji to look like. Be specific: instead of "cat", try "orange cat wearing a pirate hat and holding a sword". Instead of "happy", try "smiling face with hearts for eyes and a crown on its head". The more detail you give, the more likely the result will match what you imagined.
After you type your description, tap the Create button (or press Return). Your device will send the description to Apple's servers, and within a few seconds, a generated image will appear on your screen. The image will be small, emoji-sized, and ready to use.
If the result does not match your description, you have two options. You can tap the Regenerate button to create a different version based on the same description — sometimes the second or third try is closer to what you wanted. Or you can tap the text field again, edit your description to be more specific or different, and tap Create again.
Edit the Genmoji after creation
After the image is generated, you can make small adjustments before you save it. Tap the Edit button (usually a pencil icon) to open editing options. You can adjust the background color, add or remove elements, or change the style — for example, making it more cartoon-like or more realistic.
The editing tools are limited compared to a full image editor. You are mainly adjusting the overall look and feel, not redrawing the image from scratch. If the editing options do not give you what you want, go back and regenerate the image with a different description instead.
Once you are happy with how the Genmoji looks, tap Add or Save to add it to your emoji keyboard. The Genmoji will now appear in the Recents tab of your emoji keyboard whenever you open it, and you can insert it into any message or note.
Use your Genmoji in messages and apps
After you save a Genmoji, it works like any other emoji. Open the emoji keyboard in any app, tap the Recents tab (the clock icon), and your Genmoji will appear near the top. Tap it to insert it into your message, email, or note. You can use the same Genmoji as many times as you want.
Genmoji works in most apps that support emoji: Messages, Mail, Notes, Twitter, Instagram, Discord, and others. Some older apps or apps that do not support custom emoji may not display the Genmoji correctly — it might show as a blank square or a generic placeholder. If that happens, the Genmoji was still sent, but the other person's app cannot render it. They may see it correctly if they update their app.
If you want to delete a Genmoji, open the emoji keyboard, find it in the Recents tab, press and hold it, and tap Delete. It will be removed from your keyboard but not from any messages you already sent.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the Genmoji button does not appear in your emoji keyboard, make sure you are running iOS 18.1 or later. Restart your device and try again. If it still does not show, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in: go to Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down and tap Sign Out, then sign back in with your password.
If the image generation fails or times out, check that you have a working internet connection. Genmoji requires Wi-Fi or cellular data to work. If you are on Wi-Fi, try disconnecting and reconnecting. If you are on cellular, move to a location with stronger signal and try again.
If the generated image looks nothing like your description, try being more specific. Instead of "funny face", try "round yellow face with a big smile, crossed eyes, and a tongue sticking out". Use adjectives and specific objects. If you still get poor results, Apple's AI may be having trouble with your particular request — try a different description or a simpler concept.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share a Genmoji with someone else?
You cannot send the Genmoji itself to another person, but you can send a message that contains it. When you insert a Genmoji into a message and send it, the other person will see the image if their device supports it. If their device does not support Genmoji, they may see a blank square or a placeholder.
Does Genmoji work on Mac?
Genmoji is not yet available on Mac. It is only available on iPhone and iPad running iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or later. Apple may add it to Mac in a future update.
Do I need an Apple One subscription or Apple Intelligence subscription?
No. Genmoji is free and does not require any paid subscription. You only need an internet connection and a device running iOS 18.1 or later.
Can I use a Genmoji as my profile picture?
That depends on the app. Some apps allow you to insert a Genmoji into your profile picture field, while others do not recognize custom emoji. Try copying the Genmoji and pasting it into your profile settings. If the app does not accept it, you may need to save the Genmoji as an image file first, which requires a screenshot or a third-party tool.
What happens if I delete the Genmoji from my keyboard?
Deleting a Genmoji from your emoji keyboard removes it from the Recents tab, but it does not delete it from any messages you already sent. The Genmoji will still appear in old messages. You can always recreate the same Genmoji by describing it again in the Genmoji creation screen.