What a Genmoji is and where to find it

A Genmoji is an AI-generated emoji that you create to look however you want — a custom emoji made by describing what you want to see, rather than picking from Apple's preset library. Apple added this feature to iPhones and iPads running iOS 18.1 and later, and it lives in the same emoji keyboard you already use.

You access Genmoji the same way you access regular emoji: tap the emoji button in your keyboard, then look for the Genmoji tab. On most keyboards, this appears as a separate section at the bottom or side of the emoji panel, marked with a sparkle or star icon.

Genmoji uses Apple Intelligence, which means the feature only works on certain devices: iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPad Pro with M1 or later, and iPad Air with M1 or later. If you have an older device, the Genmoji tab simply won't appear.

Key Takeaways

  • Genmoji requires iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 and only works on iPhone 15 Pro models and newer, or iPad Pro and iPad Air with M1 chips or newer.
  • You create a Genmoji by typing a description of what you want — "a cat wearing sunglasses" or "a pizza slice with a smile" — then the AI generates options for you to choose from.
  • Once you create a Genmoji, it saves to your device and you can use it like any other emoji in messages, notes, and other apps.
  • Genmoji works offline on your device; Apple does not send your descriptions to a server, so your ideas stay private.

Step-by-step: Creating your first Genmoji

Open any app where you can type — Messages, Notes, Mail, or any text field. Tap the emoji button on your keyboard (usually a smiley face icon at the bottom left or right). When the emoji panel opens, look for the Genmoji tab, which typically appears as a separate section with a sparkle icon.

Tap the Genmoji tab to enter creation mode. You'll see a text field that says something like "Describe a Genmoji." Type a description of what you want to see. Be specific: instead of "cat," try "orange tabby cat wearing a tiny top hat and monocle." The more detail you give, the better the AI can match your vision.

After you type your description, tap the create button (usually a plus sign or checkmark). The AI generates several options — typically four to six variations based on your description. Scroll through them and tap the one you like best. That Genmoji is now saved to your device and ready to use.

Once you've selected a Genmoji, it appears in your keyboard and you can insert it into your message or document just like a regular emoji. Your created Genmoji also appears in the Genmoji tab for future use, so you don't have to recreate it.

Tips for descriptions that work well

The AI responds better to concrete, visual descriptions than vague ones. Instead of "happy," say "smiling with closed eyes." Instead of "space," say "astronaut floating in front of a blue planet with stars." Include colors, expressions, objects, and context — anything that helps the AI picture what you're asking for.

You can also describe a style or mood: "retro 1970s style smiley face," "cyberpunk neon robot," or "watercolor painting of a sunset." The AI understands these kinds of artistic directions and applies them to your emoji.

If the first batch of results doesn't match what you had in mind, try rephrasing your description. Different wording sometimes produces very different results. You can create as many Genmoji as you want — there's no limit.

Where your Genmoji are stored

Every Genmoji you create is stored locally on your device. Apple does not send your descriptions to servers or store them in the cloud. The AI processing happens on your phone or iPad itself, which is why the feature only works on newer, more powerful devices.

Your created Genmoji appear in the Genmoji tab of your emoji keyboard, organized by the order you created them (newest first). If you delete a Genmoji from this tab, you can recreate it by typing the same description again, but the original version is gone.

Using Genmoji in messages and apps

Once a Genmoji is created and saved, you use it exactly like any other emoji. Tap it in the Genmoji tab and it inserts into your message. You can send Genmoji to anyone — they'll see it as a regular image in Messages, email, or any other app, even if they have an older device or Android phone.

Genmoji work in any app that supports emoji: Messages, Mail, Notes, third-party messaging apps, social media, and most text fields. The emoji appears as a small image, usually about the same size as a regular emoji character.

What Genmoji cannot do

Genmoji are emoji-sized images, not full stickers or large graphics. They're designed to fit in text and work at small sizes. If you need a large, detailed image, Genmoji isn't the right tool — you'd want to use Image Playground or another image creation feature instead.

Genmoji also cannot be edited after creation. If you create one and later want to change it, you delete it and create a new one with a different description. There's no "edit" function for existing Genmoji.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a Genmoji I created with someone else?

Yes. When you send a message containing your Genmoji to someone, they receive it as an image. They can see it and use it in their own messages, but they won't be able to edit or claim it as their own creation — it's just an image to them.

What if my device doesn't show the Genmoji tab?

Your device either doesn't have Apple Intelligence (older than iPhone 15 Pro or iPad Air M1) or you haven't updated to iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 yet. Check Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available. If your device is older, Genmoji won't be available.

Do I need an internet connection to create Genmoji?

No. Genmoji generation happens entirely on your device, so you don't need Wi-Fi or cellular data. This also means your descriptions never leave your phone or iPad.

Can I use Genmoji in my email signature or profile picture?

You can insert a Genmoji into an email signature or document, but most apps don't support it as a profile picture because profile pictures usually require a larger, square image format. Genmoji are designed for emoji-sized use in text.

What happens if I run out of storage on my device?

Genmoji take up very little space — each one is a small image file. You'd have to create thousands of them before storage became an issue. If you're running low on storage for other reasons, deleting unused Genmoji frees up a tiny amount of space, but it won't solve a serious storage problem.