Genmoji is built into iOS 18.1 and later — you don't download it separately

Genmoji is a feature that comes with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, not an app you download from the App Store. If you have one of the compatible devices and your operating system is up to date, Genmoji is already on your phone or tablet. You access it the same way you access regular emoji — through the emoji keyboard that appears when you're typing.

The confusion happens because Genmoji requires an Apple Intelligence subscription on some devices, and that subscription process can feel like a separate download. It's not. What you're actually doing is turning on a feature that's already installed, and in some cases, signing up for the cloud processing that makes it work.

Key Takeaways

  • Genmoji comes built in with iOS 18.1 or later — there is no separate app to download from the App Store.
  • You need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPad Pro with M1 or later, or iPad Air with M1 or later to use Genmoji.
  • On iPhone 15 Pro and iPad Pro/Air with M1 or M2, you must have an active Apple Intelligence subscription to create Genmoji.
  • On iPhone 16 and newer iPad models, Genmoji is included with your device at no extra cost.
  • Once your device is updated and set up, you create Genmoji by opening the emoji keyboard and tapping the plus icon next to the search bar.

Check your device and iOS version first

Genmoji only works on specific devices running iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or later. If your device is older or your operating system is out of date, Genmoji won't be available no matter what you do. Open Settings, tap General, then tap About to see your current iOS or iPadOS version. If it shows 18.0 or lower, you need to update first.

The compatible devices are: iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPad Pro 11-inch (M1 or later), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1 or later), and iPad Air 11-inch or 13-inch (M1 or later). If your device is not on this list, Genmoji is not available for you.

Update to iOS 18.1 or later if you haven't already

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad. Tap General, then tap Software Update. If an update is available, you'll see it listed here. Tap Download and Install, then follow the prompts. Your device will restart during the installation — this is normal. Keep your device plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi while the update runs.

If you see "Your software is up to date," you already have the latest version and can move on to the next step. The update process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed and how much free storage you have.

Turn on Apple Intelligence if you have an older compatible device

If you own an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad Pro with M1 or M2, or iPad Air with M1 or M2, you need to set up Apple Intelligence before you can create Genmoji. This is a subscription service that Apple offers — it's not free on these older devices, though the first month is usually free to try.

Open Settings and tap Apple Intelligence. You'll see an option to set it up. Follow the prompts to sign in with your Apple ID and agree to the terms. Once it's activated, you'll be able to create Genmoji. If you have an iPhone 16 or a newer iPad model, Apple Intelligence comes included with your device and you don't need to do this step.

Open the emoji keyboard and create your first Genmoji

Open any app where you can type — Messages, Mail, Notes, or any text field works. Tap the emoji button on your keyboard (it looks like a smiley face). At the top of the emoji panel, you'll see a search bar with a plus icon to its right. Tap that plus icon to start creating a Genmoji.

A screen will open where you can describe what you want your emoji to look like. Type a description like "a cat wearing sunglasses" or "a robot with a happy face." Tap Create, and your device will generate a few options. Choose the one you like best, and it will be added to your emoji keyboard for future use. You can create as many Genmoji as you want.

Troubleshoot if Genmoji doesn't appear

If you've updated to iOS 18.1 but don't see the plus icon in the emoji keyboard, restart your device. Hold the power button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to turn off. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. After the restart, open a text field and check the emoji keyboard again.

If you still don't see it, make sure you're on a compatible device and that your iOS version is actually 18.1 or later — sometimes the update completes but the version number doesn't refresh until you restart. If you have an older compatible device, double-check that Apple Intelligence is turned on in Settings. If none of these steps work, your device may not support Genmoji.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for Genmoji?

On iPhone 16 and newer iPad models, Genmoji is included with your device at no cost. On iPhone 15 Pro and older iPad Pro or Air models with M1 or M2, you need an Apple Intelligence subscription, which is not free after the trial period ends. Check your device model to know which applies to you.

Can I use Genmoji offline?

No. Creating Genmoji requires an internet connection because the processing happens on Apple's servers. You need Wi-Fi or cellular data to generate new Genmoji. Once you've created one, you can use it in messages and apps without an internet connection.

Where do my created Genmoji get saved?

Your Genmoji are saved to your emoji keyboard automatically. They appear in the Genmoji section of your emoji panel, and they sync across your devices if you're signed in to the same Apple ID. You can delete individual Genmoji by long-pressing them in the emoji panel and tapping the trash icon.

What if my device is too old to support Genmoji?

Genmoji only works on iPhone 15 Pro and newer, or iPad Pro and Air with M1 or later chips. If your device is older, there's no way to add Genmoji to it. You can still use regular emoji and third-party emoji apps from the App Store as alternatives.

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 with a different description. You can delete the old one and keep the new one. This gives you full control over which Genmoji you keep in your keyboard.