How to Combine Emoji to Make New Genmoji

iOS 26 introduces Genmoji, a new feature powered by Apple Intelligence that lets you create custom emoji‑like images directly from your keyboard. Instead of searching for the perfect emoji, you can now combine existing emojis, text descriptions, and even photos of people to make a unique one on the spot. This is perfect for creating a specific reaction that the standard emoji set just can’t capture.

This feature allows for a new level of personalization in your messages. You can design an image that perfectly matches an inside joke or create an emoji of your pet wearing a party hat.

How to Create and Use Genmoji

Before you begin, make sure you are using an iPhone with Apple Intelligence capabilities running iOS 26. The process takes place entirely within the familiar emoji keyboard.

1. Open an app where you can use the keyboard, such as Messages or Notes.
2. Tap any text field to bring up the keyboard, then tap the emoji icon in the bottom‑left.
3. On the emoji keyboard, tap the new Genmoji icon, which looks like a multi‑colored smiley face with a plus symbol.
4. In the input field that says “Describe a Genmoji,” you can start building your creation. You can either type a description (e.g., “a cat wearing sunglasses”), select from the suggested emojis, or combine both.To see a full walkthrough of the process, check the official create Genmoji guide.
5. As you add elements, Apple Intelligence will instantly generate several Genmoji options below the text field. Swipe left or right to browse through them.
6. If you want to refine the results, you can tap the minus (–) button next to any element in the description field to remove it.
7. Once you find a Genmoji you like, tap Add to save it. It will be added to your message and saved to your sticker drawer for future use.Want to blend multiple emojis together? Use the combine emoji for Genmoji technique to see how the AI merges them.

What You Can Combine to Make a Genmoji

The power of Genmoji comes from the different elements you can mix and match. You can use up to seven inputs at once to create your image.

• Existing Emoji: Start with one or more standard emojis as the base for your creation.
• Text Descriptions: Add specific details to modify the emojis. For example, add “wearing a cowboy hat” or “made of pizza” to your emoji selection.
• People from Your Photos: You can include friends, family, or even pets by name. For this to work, you must first have them identified in your Photos app.Behind the scenes, the Visual Intelligence feature powers the recognition and generation, allowing the system to understand both text and image inputs.

Additional Tips for Using Genmoji

• Use them as stickers: Your created Genmoji are saved as stickers. You can tap one to send it as a message or press and hold it to drag and place it anywhere on a message bubble.
• Use them as Tapbacks: You can also use a Genmoji as a reaction. Just drag it from your sticker drawer and drop it onto the message you want to react to.
• Access your saved creations: All Genmoji you create are automatically saved for easy reuse. You can find them in your sticker drawer, which is accessible from the emoji keyboard anytime you’re typing.

If you run into any issues where the AI doesn’t generate the expected results, you may need to fix Apple Intelligence to restore full functionality.