The main ways to make a personal emoji
You can create an emoji of yourself using three main routes: apps that turn your photo into an emoji-style image, built-in tools on your phone, and online generators that work in your browser. The fastest option depends on what you want the emoji to look like and where you plan to use it.
On iPhone, you can make a Memoji directly in Messages, FaceTime, or the Memoji app — these are animated emoji that mimic your expressions and look like you. On Android, Google's Gboard keyboard has a similar feature called Emoji Kitchen that lets you create custom emoji from your photo. If you want a static image file you can save and share anywhere, third-party apps and websites are usually faster.
The trade-off is between speed and control. Built-in phone tools are quickest but offer less customization. Apps and websites let you adjust colors, style, and details, but take longer and sometimes cost money.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can create animated Memoji in the Messages app or dedicated Memoji app without downloading anything extra.
- Android users can use Google Gboard's Emoji Kitchen or download third-party apps like Bitmoji or Zepeto to create personal emoji.
- Web-based emoji generators like Picrew and Avatar Maker work on any device and let you save the result as an image file.
- Memoji and similar animated emoji work best within Apple and Google apps, while static emoji images can be shared anywhere.
Making a Memoji on iPhone
Open the Messages app and start a new conversation or select an existing one. Tap the App Drawer icon (the grid of dots) at the bottom left, then tap the Memoji button. Tap the plus sign to create a new Memoji. You will see a cartoon face that you can customize by adjusting skin tone, hairstyle, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and facial hair. Swipe through the options for each feature until you find a look you like.
Once you have finished customizing, tap Done. Your Memoji now appears in your Memoji keyboard. You can send it in a message, use it in FaceTime, or add it to your Contacts card. If you have an Apple Watch, your Memoji syncs there too. You can create multiple Memoji and edit them anytime by opening the Memoji app (if you have iOS 17 or later) or returning to Messages and tapping the existing Memoji, then the edit icon.
Memoji are animated — they respond to your facial expressions during video calls and can send stickers that show different emotions. They only work smoothly within Apple apps like Messages and FaceTime, though you can screenshot them to share elsewhere.
Creating a custom emoji on Android
Google Gboard has a built-in feature called Emoji Kitchen that creates custom emoji from your photo. Open any text field, tap the Google Gboard keyboard, then tap the emoji icon. Look for the Emoji Kitchen option (usually shown as a palette or mixing icon). Take a photo or upload one from your gallery. The app generates several emoji versions of your photo in different styles.
If Emoji Kitchen is not available on your device, download Bitmoji or Zepeto instead. Both apps let you create a cartoon avatar that looks like you, then send it as stickers or emoji in messages. Bitmoji integrates with Gboard so your custom emoji appear in your keyboard. Zepeto is more detailed and lets you customize clothing and pose, but takes longer to set up.
These Android options create static images rather than animated emoji. You can save them to your phone and share them as pictures, or use them as stickers within messaging apps that support them.
Using web-based emoji generators
Websites like Picrew, Avatar Maker, and Charat let you build a custom emoji or avatar in your browser without installing anything. Go to the site, choose a style (cartoon, pixel art, realistic, etc.), then customize features like face shape, hair, eyes, clothing, and accessories. Most sites let you adjust colors and add details like glasses or hats.
Once you finish, download the image to your computer or phone. You can then use it as a profile picture, share it on social media, or send it in messages. These generators work on any device with a web browser, so they are useful if you want to create an emoji on a tablet or computer.
The downside is that web generators create static images, not animated emoji. They also vary widely in quality and customization options — some are free and simple, others charge money or require an account. Picrew is free and popular, but has a large community and can be slow during peak hours.
Third-party apps for emoji creation
Apps like Bitmoji, Zepeto, and Avatar 2 let you build a detailed cartoon version of yourself, then use it as emoji and stickers. Download the app, take a selfie or upload a photo, and the app generates an avatar. You then customize it by adjusting facial features, hairstyle, skin tone, and clothing. Some apps let you pose your avatar or add backgrounds.
Bitmoji is the simplest and integrates directly with Gboard on Android and iOS keyboards, so your emoji appear when you type. Zepeto is more detailed and social — you can dress your avatar in different outfits, pose it, and share it with other users. Avatar 2 focuses on realistic avatars and works well if you want something that looks more like a photo than a cartoon.
Most of these apps are free to download and create a basic avatar, but charge money for extra clothing, accessories, or premium features. They also require you to create an account and may collect data about you.
Turning a photo into an emoji with image editors
If you want more control over the final look, use an image editor like Photoshop, Procreate, or free alternatives like GIMP or Pixlr. Open your selfie, then apply filters or effects to make it look like an emoji — reduce colors, increase contrast, add a cartoon effect, or trace over it by hand. This route takes the longest but gives you the most creative freedom.
Photoshop and Procreate cost money but have built-in cartoon and posterize filters that work quickly. GIMP and Pixlr are free and have similar filters under the Distorts or Artistic menus. If you are comfortable drawing, you can also sketch an emoji version of yourself from scratch using any of these tools.
This approach is best if you already use design software or want a very specific style that pre-made emoji generators do not offer. For most people, a dedicated emoji app or web generator is faster.
Where you can use your custom emoji
Memoji work natively in Apple Messages, FaceTime, Mail, and Notes. You can send them as stickers, use them as reaction emoji, or add them to your Contacts card. They sync across all your Apple devices. Outside Apple apps, you can screenshot a Memoji and share it as a regular image, but you lose the animation.
Bitmoji emoji appear in your Gboard keyboard on both Android and iOS, so they show up when you type in any messaging app. Zepeto and other avatar apps let you save your avatar as an image file and share it anywhere — social media, email, messaging apps, or websites. Static emoji from web generators work the same way: download the image and use it wherever you can upload a picture.
If you want your emoji to work across many platforms and apps, a static image file is more reliable than an animated emoji tied to one ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my custom emoji as a profile picture?
Yes. Any emoji you create as a static image file — from a web generator, Bitmoji, or Zepeto — can be saved and uploaded as a profile picture on social media, messaging apps, or websites. Memoji can also be screenshotted and used as a profile picture, though you lose the animation.
Do I need to pay to create a custom emoji?
No. Memoji on iPhone, Emoji Kitchen on Android, and most web generators like Picrew are free. Apps like Bitmoji and Zepeto are free to download and create a basic avatar, but charge money for extra clothing and accessories. You can use the free version without paying.
Can I edit my emoji after I create it?
Yes. On iPhone, open the Memoji app or go back to Messages and tap your existing Memoji, then tap the edit icon. In Bitmoji and Zepeto, you can open your avatar anytime and change any feature. Web generators usually let you edit your creation before you download it, but some do not save your work, so you would have to start over.
What is the difference between Memoji and Bitmoji?
Memoji are animated emoji built into iPhone that respond to your face during video calls. Bitmoji are static cartoon stickers that you create once and reuse. Memoji only work well in Apple apps, while Bitmoji work in any messaging app through Gboard. Bitmoji is available on both iPhone and Android.
Can I share my custom emoji with friends?
Yes, but it depends on the type. Memoji can be sent as stickers in Messages, but friends need an iPhone to see them animated. Static emoji from apps and web generators can be saved as image files and shared anywhere — email, social media, text message, or messaging apps. Friends can then use the image however they want.