Introduction

With the release of iOS 18, Apple is transforming digital expression with Genmoji, a feature powered by Apple Intelligence that lets users create personalized emojis on the fly. Whether you’re texting a friend or reacting to a message, Genmoji brings your creativity to life through custom emojis tailored to your imagination—or even your photos.

In this article, we’ll break down:

  • What Apple Genmoji is and how it works
  • How to create, customize, and delete Genmoji
  • Device compatibility and language availability
  • Benefits for users and why it’s a game-changer for Apple’s AI roadmap

What Is Genmoji in iOS 18?

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Genmoji is Apple’s next-gen emoji creation tool introduced in iOS 18. It leverages Apple Intelligence—Apple’s proprietary generative AI technology—to let users describe and generate unique emojis based on text prompts or photos of people in their gallery.

Imagine texting your friend a “giraffe riding a unicycle,” and having a tailor-made Genmoji instantly ready to send. That’s the power of Apple Genmoji.

🔍 Fun Fact: Genmoji stickers can be used just like regular emojis, Tapbacks, or even standalone stickers in the Messages app.

How to Create a Genmoji on iPhone (Step-by-Step Guide)

Creating your first Genmoji is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Text-Based Genmoji Creation

  • Open Messages and tap any text field.
  • Tap the Emoji button or Next Keyboard key to switch to the emoji keyboard.
  • Tap the Genmoji icon in the top right corner.
  • In the field labeled “Describe a Genmoji,” type your idea (e.g., “Rainbow cactus”).
  • To refine it, update the description (e.g., “Purple rainbow cactus”).
  • Tap Done.
  • Swipe to find your Genmoji and tap Add to insert it into your message.

Photo-Based Genmoji Creation

  • Type a description like “Danny celebrating his 35th birthday.”
  • Tap Choose a Person.
  • Select a person identified in your Photos app.
  • Choose from the Genmoji variations generated.
  • Tap Add to include it in your conversation.

How to Delete a Genmoji

Don’t worry if your emoji gallery starts looking cluttered. Here’s how to remove unwanted Genmoji:

  • Tap a text field, then tap the Emoji button.
  • Swipe right or tap the Stickers button.
  • Touch and hold the Genmoji you want to delete.
  • Tap Remove.

Alternatively, go to the Apps button in a conversation, select Stickers, touch and hold a Genmoji, and tap Remove.

See Also: Best CRM Apps for Android and iOS: Manage Leads and Customers on the Go

Device Compatibility & Language Availability

Before you get too excited, make sure your iPhone supports Apple Intelligence.

Compatible iPhones:

  • iPhone 16 models
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max

Supported Languages:

  • English (U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, India, South Africa, etc.)
  • Chinese (Simplified)
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Portuguese (Brazil)

📝 Note: Apple Intelligence is still in beta. Availability may vary based on your region, language settings, and Siri configuration. Learn more from Apple’s official support article.

Why Genmoji Matters: A Creative & AI Leap Forward

  • Customization Like Never Before: While standard emojis offer thousands of expressions, they’re still limited by a pre-defined set. Genmoji opens the door to limitless expression powered by your imagination and Apple’s large language models.
  • Deep Personalization: Want to create a birthday sticker of your best friend? Genmoji can analyze photos and bring real faces into expressive animations.
  • Apple Intelligence at Work: Genmoji is one of the first consumer-facing showcases of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s answer to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot.

How Businesses and Creators Can Use Genmoji

While designed for consumers, Genmoji also has interesting implications for:

  • Content creators: Share custom stickers across platforms.
  • Social media marketers: Build brand-centric emoji content for campaigns.
  • Customer engagement: Add a personal touch to messaging in business communications.

For tech marketers and app developers, iOS 18’s Genmoji opens new doors for user engagement, app customization, and creative communication.

Quick Tips to Make the Most of Genmoji

  • Be specific in your prompts: “A wizard cat with sunglasses” yields more accurate results than just “cat.”
  • Use them in Tapbacks for quick, personalized reactions.
  • Save your best Genmoji and reuse them as stickers in conversations.

Final Thoughts

Apple’s Genmoji in iOS 18 is more than just a fun feature—it’s a bold move in the personalization era powered by generative AI. Whether you’re a Gen Z texter, a brand storyteller, or just someone who loves emojis, Genmoji gives your digital conversations a voice of their own.

If you’re using an eligible device, now’s the perfect time to explore what Apple Intelligence and Genmoji can do.

Ready to Try Genmoji?

Make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence is enabled. Dive into the emoji keyboard, get creative, and start building a Genmoji universe that reflects you.

Stay Updated with More iOS 18 Features

Want to explore more Apple Intelligence features, iOS 18 upgrades, and device compatibility? Visit our latest Apple tech coverage on iTMunch.