You can make custom emoji on iPhone using Memoji, which creates a cartoon version of your face, or by editing existing emoji in the Glyph Maker app
iPhone gives you two main ways to create something that looks and works like an emoji. The first is Memoji, built into the Messages and FaceTime apps — it scans your face and turns it into a cartoon character you can customize with different hairstyles, skin tones, and accessories. The second is using third-party apps like Glyph Maker or Bitmoji, which let you design emoji from scratch or edit existing ones to look like you or anything else you want.
Both methods create images that work in messages, but they behave differently. Memoji integrates directly into your keyboard and animates when you use it in video calls. Custom emoji from third-party apps are static images you copy and paste, so they don't animate but give you more design freedom. Which one you choose depends on whether you want something quick and face-based or something more personalized and artistic.
Key Takeaways
- Memoji is built into Messages and FaceTime on iPhone and creates an animated cartoon of your face that you can customize with hairstyles, skin tones, and accessories.
- To access Memoji, open Messages or FaceTime, tap the emoji button, then tap the smiley-face icon to create a new Memoji.
- Third-party apps like Glyph Maker and Bitmoji let you design custom emoji from scratch and save them to your photo library to paste into any app.
- Memoji animates during video calls and integrates with your keyboard, while custom emoji from apps are static images you manually copy and paste.
Creating a Memoji in Messages
Open the Messages app and start a new conversation or select an existing one. Tap the emoji button (the smiley face) at the bottom of the keyboard. In the emoji panel that appears, look for the smiley-face icon with a plus sign — this is the Memoji creator. Tap it to open the Memoji editor.
The editor shows your face on screen and lets you change features one at a time. Swipe left and right to cycle through options for skin tone, hairstyle, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and accessories like glasses or hats. Once you're happy with how it looks, tap Done. Your Memoji now appears in the Memoji section of your emoji keyboard and you can send it in messages or use it in video calls.
You can create multiple Memoji — tap the plus icon again to make another one. Each one saves separately, so you might have a professional-looking version for work conversations and a silly one for friends.
Using Memoji in FaceTime calls
During a FaceTime video call, your Memoji can replace your actual face on screen. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the call, then tap Filters. Scroll through the options until you see your Memoji, then tap it. Your Memoji will now animate in real time as you talk — it mirrors your facial expressions and mouth movements, so it reacts when you smile or move your head.
You can switch between different Memoji during the same call by tapping Filters again and choosing a different one. If you want to go back to your real face, tap Filters and select the camera icon at the start of the list.
Creating custom emoji with third-party apps
Glyph Maker and Bitmoji are the most common apps for designing custom emoji. Both are free to download from the App Store. Glyph Maker lets you draw emoji pixel by pixel or edit existing ones, while Bitmoji creates a cartoon avatar of you and generates hundreds of emoji variations automatically.
With Bitmoji, you take a selfie or upload a photo, and the app creates a cartoon version. It then generates emoji showing that cartoon in different poses and expressions — thumbs up, laughing, thinking, sleeping, and dozens more. You can browse through them all and save the ones you like to your photo library. With Glyph Maker, you start with a blank canvas or an existing emoji and edit it pixel by pixel using the drawing tools, giving you complete control over the design.
Once you've created or saved an emoji in either app, it lives in your photo library. To use it in messages, open the conversation, tap the photo icon, find your custom emoji in your library, and tap it to send. You can also copy the image and paste it into other apps like Notes, Mail, or social media.
Saving and organizing your custom emoji
Custom emoji from third-party apps save to your Photos app by default. Create a new album called "Custom Emoji" to keep them organized and easy to find. Open Photos, tap the Albums tab, tap the plus icon, name it "Custom Emoji," then select all your custom emoji images and add them to that album.
Memoji are stored differently — they live in your emoji keyboard and don't appear in Photos. If you want to save a Memoji as an image file, send it in a message, then long-press the message and tap Save. This copies it to your photo library where you can organize it like any other image.
Differences between Memoji and custom emoji apps
| Feature | Memoji | Custom Emoji Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Built into iPhone | Yes, in Messages and FaceTime | No, requires downloading an app |
| Animates | Yes, mirrors your face in video calls | No, static images only |
| Keyboard integration | Yes, appears in emoji keyboard | No, copy and paste from photo library |
| Design freedom | Limited to preset features | Full control, can draw or edit pixels |
| Works in all apps | Messages and FaceTime mainly | Yes, anywhere you can paste images |
Memoji is faster and more convenient if you want something that looks like you and works seamlessly in Messages. Custom emoji apps are better if you want complete creative control, want to design something that doesn't look like a face, or want to use your emoji across many different apps beyond just Messages.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you don't see the Memoji option when you tap the emoji button, make sure you're using Messages or FaceTime — Memoji only works in those two apps. If you're in Messages and still don't see it, try closing the app completely and reopening it. On older iPhone models (iPhone XS and earlier), Memoji may not be available at all; those phones support Animoji instead, which works the same way but with preset animal and object characters rather than face-based ones.
If a custom emoji app isn't saving images to your photo library, check that you've given it permission to access Photos. Go to Settings, scroll down to find the app's name, tap it, and make sure Photos is toggled on. If the app still won't save, try taking a screenshot of the emoji instead — screenshots always save to your library and you can crop them afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Memoji in apps other than Messages and FaceTime?
Memoji integrates directly into the emoji keyboard in Messages and FaceTime, but not in other apps. However, you can save a Memoji as an image by sending it in a message, long-pressing it, and tapping Save. Once it's in your photo library, you can paste it anywhere — Notes, Mail, social media, or any other app that accepts images.
What's the difference between Memoji and Animoji?
Memoji creates a cartoon version of your face based on how you look. Animoji are preset characters like animals, food, and objects that don't look like you. Older iPhones (XS and earlier) only support Animoji. Newer models support both, and you access them the same way — by tapping the emoji button and then the smiley-face icon.
Do I need to pay for custom emoji apps?
Most custom emoji apps like Bitmoji and Glyph Maker are free to download and use. Some offer paid upgrades for extra features or designs, but the basic emoji creation is free. Check the App Store listing before downloading to see if the app charges upfront or offers in-app purchases.
Can someone else see my Memoji if I send it in a message?
Yes. When you send a Memoji in a message, the other person sees it as a static image, not an animated character. If they're using an iPhone with Memoji support, they can tap and hold the Memoji to see animation options, but it won't animate automatically like it does in video calls.
How do I delete a Memoji I created?
Open Messages or FaceTime, tap the emoji button, then tap the smiley-face icon to open the Memoji editor. Find the Memoji you want to delete, long-press it, and tap the trash icon. The Memoji is removed from your keyboard but any messages you already sent with it will still show it.