You can create custom emoji on iPhone using the Memoji feature in Messages, FaceTime, and Mail

iOS lets you build a cartoon version of yourself or anyone else and use it across Apple apps. This custom emoji is called a Memoji, and it lives in your keyboard alongside regular emoji. You design it once, then tap it whenever you want to send it — no drawing skill needed.

The process takes about two minutes. You pick skin tone, face shape, eyes, nose, mouth, and accessories, then save it. After that, your Memoji appears in the emoji keyboard in Messages, Mail, FaceTime, and most other apps that use the standard iOS keyboard.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Messages, tap the compose field, then the smiley-face icon to reach the emoji keyboard where you can create a new Memoji.
  • Customize your Memoji by tapping the plus sign and choosing skin tone, face shape, eyes, nose, mouth, and accessories in any order.
  • Your finished Memoji saves automatically and appears in the emoji keyboard across Messages, Mail, FaceTime, and other apps.
  • You can create multiple Memoji and edit existing ones by tapping and holding any Memoji in the keyboard, then selecting "Edit".
  • Memoji work on iPhone XS and newer; older models can use Animoji instead, which are pre-made animated characters.

Opening the Memoji creator in Messages

Start in the Messages app because that is where the Memoji keyboard is easiest to reach. Open Messages and either start a new conversation or open an existing one — it does not matter which.

Tap in the message field where you would normally type text. The keyboard appears at the bottom of the screen. On the left side of the keyboard, look for the smiley-face icon (it looks like a round yellow face). Tap it. The emoji keyboard opens.

At the top of the emoji keyboard, you will see a row of circular icons. The rightmost icon looks like a plus sign inside a circle. Tap that plus sign. The Memoji creator opens, and you are ready to build your custom emoji.

Choosing your Memoji's appearance

The creator shows your Memoji in the center of the screen and a list of customization options below it. You do not have to follow any order — tap any category and make your choice. Start with skin tone if you want, or jump straight to eyes or hair. Your changes appear on the Memoji in real time.

Scroll through the options in each category by swiping left and right. Skin tone, head shape, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and ears all have multiple choices. Accessories like glasses, hats, and piercings appear further down. Tap any option to apply it. If you want to undo a choice, just tap a different option in that same category.

Take your time here — you can always edit your Memoji later if you change your mind about something. There is no limit to how many times you can adjust it before you save.

Saving your Memoji

Once your Memoji looks the way you want, tap the "Done" button in the top right corner of the creator. Your Memoji saves automatically and appears in the emoji keyboard. You are now back in your Messages conversation, and your new Memoji is ready to send.

Your Memoji does not send automatically — you still have to tap it in the keyboard and then tap the send button, just like you would with a regular emoji. The first time you send a Memoji, it may appear as a sticker or animated character depending on which app you are using.

Finding and sending your Memoji later

Every time you open the emoji keyboard in Messages, Mail, FaceTime, or any app with the standard iOS keyboard, your Memoji appears in the top row. Tap it to insert it into your message. You can send the same Memoji multiple times — it does not get used up or disappear.

If you create more than one Memoji, they all line up in that top row. Swipe left and right to see all of them. The most recently used Memoji appears first, so the one you send often will be easiest to reach.

Editing a Memoji you already created

You can change your Memoji at any time. Open the emoji keyboard, find your Memoji in the top row, and tap and hold it (press and keep your finger on it for about a second). A menu appears with options including "Edit". Tap "Edit" and the Memoji creator opens with your existing Memoji loaded.

Make whatever changes you want — change the hair, add glasses, adjust the skin tone, anything. When you are done, tap "Done" again. Your changes save immediately, and the updated version appears everywhere you use that Memoji from that point forward.

If you want to delete a Memoji entirely, tap and hold it in the emoji keyboard and select "Delete" from the menu. This removes it from your keyboard but does not affect any messages you already sent with that Memoji.

Memoji on older iPhones and other devices

Memoji requires iPhone XS or newer. If you have an older iPhone, you can use Animoji instead — these are pre-made animated characters like a monkey, dog, or alien that work the same way. Open the emoji keyboard the same way and look for the Animoji in the top row.

On iPad, Memoji works the same way if you have iPadOS 13 or newer. On Mac, you can create and use Memoji in Messages and Mail if you have macOS Big Sur or newer. The process is identical — open the emoji keyboard and tap the plus sign to create a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Memoji with someone else?

You can send a Memoji to another person in a message, and they will see it. However, they cannot use your exact Memoji in their own keyboard — they would need to create their own. If you want to share the design, you can describe it or send them a screenshot, and they can recreate it.

What if my Memoji looks nothing like me?

That is fine — Memoji do not have to be realistic. Many people create cartoon versions that are exaggerated or completely fictional. You can make as many different Memoji as you want, so create one that looks like you and another that looks like a character or animal if you prefer.

Do I need an Apple ID to create Memoji?

No. Memoji are stored on your device and do not require an account. They sync across your Apple devices if you use iCloud, but you can create and use them without setting up anything beyond your iPhone.

Can I use Memoji in apps other than Messages?

Memoji appear in any app that uses the standard iOS keyboard, including Mail, Notes, and third-party messaging apps. However, some apps may display them differently — some show them as stickers, others as animated characters. The Memoji itself works the same way everywhere.

What happens if I delete my Memoji by accident?

You can recreate it by opening the emoji keyboard and tapping the plus sign again. If you remember what it looked like, you can rebuild it in a few minutes. Messages you already sent with that Memoji will still show the old version.