How to Create Genmoji (Custom Emoji) in iOS 26

iOS 26 introduces Genmoji, a powerful new feature that lets you create custom emoji using Apple Intelligence. Instead of being limited to the standard set of icons, you can now generate unique images by combining text descriptions, existing emojis, or even photos of your friends and pets. It’s a fun and creative way to design the perfect reaction for any conversation.

This guide will show you exactly how to create Genmoji in iOS 26, from simple text prompts to more complex combinations, so you can start personalizing your messages. For a step‑by‑step walkthrough, see the official create Genmoji guide.

How to Create a Genmoji

The Genmoji creator is built directly into the iOS keyboard, making it easy to access from any app that supports text input. Before starting, ensure your iPhone is running iOS 26 and supports Apple Intelligence.

1. Open an app like Messages or Notes and tap a text field to bring up the keyboard.
2. Tap the emoji icon in the bottom‑left corner to switch to the emoji keyboard.
3. In the top‑right corner of the emoji keyboard, tap the new Genmoji icon (it looks like a multi‑colored smiley face with a plus sign).
4. In the field that says “Describe a Genmoji,” type a description of what you want to create. You can also tap emojis from the suggestion bar to add them to your prompt.
5. As you type or add emojis, Apple Intelligence will generate several variations in the preview area below. Swipe left or right to browse the different options.
6. Once you find a Genmoji you like, tap Add. This will insert it into your message and automatically save it to your sticker collection for future use.

If you want to experiment with blending several emojis together, try the combine emoji for Genmoji technique to see how the AI merges them.

Creative Ways to Design Your Genmoji

The real power of this feature is in how you can mix and match different elements to get a specific result. You can combine up to seven different inputs at once.

• Use a Text Description: Be as simple or as detailed as you want. Try “a happy avocado reading a book” or “a cat wearing sunglasses on a skateboard.”
• Combine Multiple Emojis: You can select several emojis to blend them together. For example, combining the robot emoji and the ghost emoji might create a futuristic phantom.
• Add a Person or Pet: Tap the person icon in the Genmoji creator to select someone from your photo library. For this to work, you must have the person or pet named in the Photos app first. You can even edit details like their hairstyle or add glasses.

Behind the scenes, the Visual Intelligence feature powers the recognition and generation process, allowing the system to understand both text and image inputs.

How to Use and Manage Your Genmoji

Your custom creations are more versatile than standard emojis. Here are the different ways you can use them and how to keep them organized.

• As an Inline Emoji: Tap a saved Genmoji from your sticker drawer to add it directly into your text.
• As a Sticker: Press and hold a Genmoji, then drag it anywhere on a message bubble to place it as a sticker.
• As a Tapback Reaction: Drag a Genmoji and drop it directly onto a message to use it as a custom reaction.

To delete a Genmoji you no longer need, open your sticker drawer from the emoji keyboard, find the Genmoji, then press and hold it until the Delete option appears.