How to Create a Custom Memoji in iOS 12

Memoji is Apple's personalized avatar feature introduced in iOS 12, allowing users to build a 3D animated character that mirrors their own appearance and facial expressions. This guide explains what Memoji is, the hardware requirements needed to use it, and provides a direct, step-by-step walkthrough on how to design and customize your own avatar inside the Messages app.

What Is Memoji?

Memoji expands on the Animoji feature originally launched with iOS 11. While Animoji provides pre-set animal and fantasy characters, Memoji allows you to generate a fully customized human avatar. Using the TrueDepth camera system on compatible Apple devices, Memoji captures over 50 different facial muscle movements, allowing the character to mimic your smiles, winks, head tilts, and speech in real time.

Device Requirements

To create and use animated Memoji in iOS 12, you need an Apple device equipped with a TrueDepth camera system running iOS 12 or later. Compatible models include:

  • iPhone X
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPad Pro (11-inch and 12.9-inch 3rd generation)

How to Create a Custom Memoji

Creating a Memoji is handled directly within the Messages app. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Messages: Launch the Messages app and tap the compose button to start a new message, or select an existing conversation.
  2. Access the App Drawer: Tap the App Store icon next to the text input field, then tap the Animoji icon (represented by a monkey face).
  3. Add a New Memoji: Swipe to the far left of the Animoji carousel and tap the "+" (New Memoji) button.
  4. Customize Your Features: Work through the customization categories to personalize your avatar:
    • Skin: Select skin tone, adjust the slider for shade, and add freckles.
    • Hairstyle: Choose hair color and style, ranging from short cuts to long curls and braids.
    • Head Shape: Select age appearance and chin structure.
    • Eyes: Pick eye color, eye shape, and eyelash preferences.
    • Brows: Choose eyebrow shape, thickness, and color.
    • Nose & Lips: Select nose shape and lipstick shades.
    • Ears: Adjust ear size and add earrings or audio accessories.
    • Facial Hair: Add sideburns, mustaches, or beards.
    • Eyewear & Headwear: Choose glasses, frame colors, hats, or religious head coverings.
  5. Save Your Memoji: Once satisfied with the design, tap Done in the upper-right corner.

Using Your Memoji

Once created, your Memoji resides alongside the standard Animoji in the Messages app. You can record up to 30-second video and voice messages to send in iMessage threads, take photos with your Memoji head replacing your own, or activate the avatar during live FaceTime video calls to replace your face in real time. Multiple Memojis can be created to represent different styles or other individuals by repeating the creation process.