What Genmoji are and why you'd add people to them
Genmoji are custom emoji that you create on your iPhone using Apple's AI image generation tool, available on iPhone 16 and later models with iOS 18.1 or newer. Unlike standard emoji, Genmoji are unique to you — they live in your keyboard and sync across your Apple devices through iCloud.
You can add real people to Genmoji by using the camera or photo library to capture their likeness, which the AI then turns into an emoji-style character. This means you can create a Genmoji that looks like your friend, family member, or colleague, then use it in messages, notes, and other apps where emoji appear.
The feature works best when you have a clear photo of the person's face. The AI learns from that image to generate variations of them as an emoji, so the quality of your starting photo matters.
Key Takeaways
- Genmoji requires an iPhone 16 or later with iOS 18.1, and the feature uses on-device AI processing that does not send your photos to Apple's servers.
- You start a Genmoji by opening the emoji keyboard, tapping the plus icon, and choosing to create one from a photo of a person's face.
- The AI generates multiple emoji variations from a single photo, and you can regenerate them if you do not like the first set.
- Once created, a Genmoji of a person syncs to your other Apple devices and stays in your keyboard until you delete it.
How to create a Genmoji from a photo of someone
Open any app where you can type — Messages, Notes, Mail, or a text field in a web browser. Tap the emoji keyboard button (usually a smiley face icon at the bottom of your screen). In the emoji keyboard, look for a plus sign icon in the top left or top right corner and tap it.
You will see options to create a new Genmoji. Choose the option that says something like "Create Genmoji" or shows a plus sign. The next screen will ask whether you want to use the camera to take a photo or select one from your photo library. If you choose the camera, point it at the person's face and take a clear photo. If you choose your library, select an existing photo that shows the person's face clearly.
After you select or take a photo, the AI processes it and generates several emoji variations based on that person's appearance. These usually appear within a few seconds. Swipe through the options to see what was created.
Choosing and saving the Genmoji you want
Once the AI shows you the generated emoji options, tap the one you like best. You can tap through several variations before deciding. If none of them look right to you, tap a button to regenerate — the AI will create a new set of options based on the same photo.
After you choose an emoji, tap the button to add it or confirm it (usually labeled "Add" or a checkmark). The Genmoji is now saved to your keyboard and will appear in your emoji library. You can use it immediately in the message or note you were typing, or come back to it anytime you open the emoji keyboard.
Using your Genmoji in messages and apps
Once a Genmoji is saved, it works like any other emoji. Open the emoji keyboard in Messages, Notes, Mail, or any app that accepts emoji. Scroll through your emoji library or search for it — Genmoji usually appear in a dedicated section or at the top of your recent emoji. Tap it to insert it into your message or document.
You can send a Genmoji to anyone in a message, even if they do not have an iPhone 16. On their device, it will appear as a static image rather than an interactive emoji, but they will still see it.
What happens if you want to change or delete a Genmoji
If you create a Genmoji of someone and later want to replace it, you can create a new one using a different photo. Both will exist in your keyboard until you delete one. To remove a Genmoji, open the emoji keyboard, find the Genmoji you want to delete, press and hold it, and select the delete or remove option.
Deleting a Genmoji from your iPhone will also remove it from your other Apple devices that are signed into the same iCloud account, since Genmoji sync across your devices.
Privacy and where your photos go
When you create a Genmoji, the photo you use is processed on your iPhone itself — Apple does not send the image to its servers or store it. The AI runs locally on your device, which means the photo stays private and is not used to train any broader model. After the Genmoji is generated, you can delete the original photo from your library if you want.
The Genmoji itself (the emoji image that results) syncs to your other devices through iCloud, but the original photo does not. This means if someone else uses your iPhone, they can see and use your Genmoji, but they cannot access the photo you used to create it.
Troubleshooting common issues
If the AI cannot generate a Genmoji from your photo, the most common reason is that the face is not clear enough — the photo is blurry, too small, at an extreme angle, or partially obscured. Try taking a new photo or selecting a different one where the person's face is well-lit and centered in the frame.
If the emoji options do not look like the person, tap regenerate to create a new set. The AI sometimes produces different results on a second try. If you still are not satisfied, try a different photo of the same person — a frontal photo usually works better than a profile or angled shot.
If you do not see the plus icon in your emoji keyboard, make sure you are on iOS 18.1 or later and that you have an iPhone 16 or newer model. You can check your iOS version in Settings > General > About.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a Genmoji of someone without their permission?
Technically yes, but you should not. Genmoji are designed for personal use, and creating one of someone without asking raises privacy and consent concerns. If you want a Genmoji of a friend or family member, ask them first and ideally use a photo they have approved.
Will the person I create a Genmoji of know I made it?
No. Creating a Genmoji does not notify the person, and there is no way for them to know unless you tell them or they see you use it in a message. The photo you use stays on your device and is not shared.
Can I edit a Genmoji after I create it?
You cannot edit an existing Genmoji directly. If you want a different version, create a new one using a different photo or regenerate options from the same photo. You can then delete the old one if you prefer.
Do I need an internet connection to create a Genmoji?
No. Genmoji creation happens entirely on your device, so you do not need Wi-Fi or cellular data. However, if you want the Genmoji to sync to your other devices, you need to be signed into iCloud.
What if I create a Genmoji and then delete the original photo?
The Genmoji remains in your keyboard and continues to work. Deleting the original photo does not affect the emoji you created from it. The AI processing is complete once the Genmoji is saved, so the original photo is no longer needed.