Apple Intelligence Introduces GenMoji: AI-Powered Custom Emoji Creation in iOS 18.2

Genmoji: Apple explains how it works in updated iPad user guide

Genmoji, one of the most intriguing Apple Intelligence features, isn't available on iPhone 16 yet, but we just got a sneak peek at how it works. Spotted by TechRadar, Apple updated its iPadOS 18 info page with some tips about Apple Intelligence features that are coming to its device ecosystem starting later this year. Of particular interest is Genmoji, AI-generated emoji that users can create on the fly for use in text conversations and whatnot. Again, this feature isn't available as of this writing, but the new page gives a pretty succinct explanation of how it will work. "You'll be able to create original Genmoji in supported apps with an emoji keyboard," Apple's website said. "Just tap the emoji icon, type a description of the image you want -- 'Golden Retriever catching the best wave ever,' for example -- then tap 'Create New Emoji." So, in essence, the Genmoji feature works like any other consumer-facing generative AI product. You type what you want to see, hit a button, and then a few seconds later, you see what you want to see. However, again, this feature isn't available to the public yet. Expect to see it sometime closer to the end of the year when iOS 18.2 launches.

This is how Genmoji will work in iOS 18.2 with Apple Intelligence - 9to5Mac

The first wave of Apple Intelligence features are coming soon in iOS 18.1. But many users are more excited about the AI release happening after that. Genmoji are expected to arrive in iOS 18.2, and this is how they're going to work. Apple recently detailed exactly how you'll be able to use Genmoji when they arrive. Per Apple: You'll be able to create original Genmoji in supported apps with an emoji keyboard. Just tap the Emoji key, type a description of the image you want -- "Golden Retriever catching the best wave ever," for example -- then tap Create New Emoji. By happenstance, I was able to try out an early version of this walkthrough in action using a recent iOS beta. I opened the emoji keyboard, then typed in the search bar to find a specific emoji. I accidentally mistyped, and discovered that the 'Create New Emoji' option appeared just below my search. My experience followed Apple's description exactly, proving just how easy it will be to create new Genmoji. Just search inside the emoji keyboard, and if you don't find what you're looking for in the existing emoji set, you can tap a button to create what you need. After you've asked Apple Intelligence to create the new emoji for you, it will actually go the extra mile and provide several options to choose from. There will be a top recommended emoji that it created, but you'll also be able to swipe through alternatives that you might like better. Apple's examples show four distinct emoji being created for each request. iOS 18.2 will also, when it seems appropriate, make recommendations for people you might want to turn into a Genmoji. In a demo, for example, Apple showed how the request for a 'race car driver' emoji offered a special suggestion. It offered to make the emoji look like a person in the user's contacts. Since Apple is building Genmoji into the standard emoji keyboard in iOS 18.2, they'll be available in any app where emoji are supported. This includes: Once you've created a Genmoji in one place, it will live inside your emoji keyboard so you can easily re-use it elsewhere. I like to use emoji to help organize my documents in the Files app and notes in Apple Notes, so I'm excited by the new possibilities Genmoji will bring. iOS 18.1 and its Apple Intelligence features are coming in October. Likely mid-to-late October, to get more specific. Apple should debut the first beta version of iOS 18.2 shortly after that October release. So if you're part of Apple's developer or public beta program, you'll probably get your first Genmoji access in late October. For everyone else, the public launch of iOS 18.2 should arrive in December. Just in time to create emoji featuring cute dogs in Santa hats -- if that's your thing. There's one more very important detail about how Genmoji will work. They will only be offered on Apple Intelligence-supported devices. For iPhones, that means you'll need an iPhone 16 or 16 Pro, or one of last year's iPhone 15 Pro models. Not even the standard iPhone 15 will support Genmoji, nor devices from prior years. On the iPad and Mac side, you'll need a device running an M1 chip or later to gain Genmoji. Are you excited to use Genmoji? Let us know in the comments.

Apple Intelligence's AI custom emoji creator is going to be even quicker and easier than we expected

We've been waiting to see how Apple Intelligence's Genmoji feature works since Apple first revealed it at WWDC in June. Now, we've finally caught our first glimpse and it's quicker and easier than we expected. Apple quietly updated its iPadOS 18 guide with steps on how to activate the custom AI emoji creator and if it works as seamlessly as it sounds then Genmoji is likely to become a massive success. According to Apple, 'Just tap the emoji icon, type a description of the image you want -- "Golden Retriever catching the best wave ever," for example -- then tap Create New Emoji.' We have yet to see anyone try this new Apple Intelligence feature, which is expected to arrive as part of the iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 updates later this year. Ryan Christoffel over at 9to5Mac, however, has used Genmoji and wrote this about the experience, 'By happenstance, I was able to try out an early version of this walkthrough in action using a recent iOS beta.' He added, 'My experience followed Apple's description exactly, proving just how easy it will be to create new Genmoji.' It's exciting to finally get some information on how Genmoji actually works as I was starting to get worried that Apple Intelligence's messy launch with no proof of these features in action could lead to another AirPower disaster. The fact that Apple's guides are being updated to reflect how to use the feature and people outside of Apple have created Genmojis for themselves, means we can actually get excited to create cowboy frogs in the very near future. If you want to try Apple Intelligence for yourself, you'll need one of the best iPhones compatible with Apple's AI tools. Check out our iPhone 16 Pro review to see exactly what Apple Intelligence is capable of.