Genmoji Expressions and Accessories in iOS 18

Apple Intelligence in iOS 18 introduces Genmoji, an on-device generative AI feature that allows users to create entirely custom emoji directly from the keyboard. By simply typing a descriptive text prompt, you can blend traditional emoji concepts with hyper-specific emotions, wearable items, and contextual objects. This guide details the wide range of facial expressions, accessories, and personalization options available when designing your own Genmoji creations.

Available Facial Expressions

Unlike the static Unicode emoji catalog, Genmoji interprets natural language prompts to produce virtually any facial nuance. You can generate:

  • Micro-Expressions and Nuance: Prompts like "skeptical side-eye," "awkward grimace," "smug smirk," or "relieved sigh" translate into distinct mouth positions, eyebrow tilts, and eye shapes.
  • Hybrid Emotions: You can combine conflicting feelings into a single character, such as "crying while laughing hysterically" or "exhausted but drinking coffee with a forced smile."
  • Classic Emoji Transformations: You can prompt variations of existing favorites, such as a "melting face with a winking eye" or an "exploding head looking calm."
  • Personalized Likenesses: By selecting a person from your Photos library, Genmoji applies these dynamic expressions directly to an animated avatar modeled after yourself, your friends, or your family members.

Wearable Accessories

Genmoji allows you to dress your custom characters with a vast array of accessories by mentioning them in your prompt:

  • Headwear: Add functional or whimsical items such as cowboy hats, beanies, berets, fedoras, party hats, crowns, space helmets, baseball caps, or bandanas.
  • Eyewear: Customize character vision with aviator sunglasses, cat-eye frames, thick reading glasses, wire-rimmed monocles, ski goggles, or virtual reality headsets.
  • Neckwear and Clothing Accents: Include items such as cozy knit scarves, formal bow ties, neckties, superhero capes, or chunky gold chains.
  • Jewelry and Facial Additions: You can specify elements like hoop earrings, septum piercings, decorative face paint, or custom facial hair patterns (such as a handlebar mustache or goatee).

Contextual Props and Object Additions

Beyond what a character wears on their head or face, Genmoji allows characters to interact with handheld items and props:

  • Food and Drinks: Characters can hold or consume items like boba tea, steaming mugs, pizza slices, tacos, or ice cream cones.
  • Tools and Technology: Prompts can incorporate items like smartphones, laptops, cameras, paintbrushes, or game controllers.
  • Thematic and Hobby Gear: You can generate characters holding musical instruments (such as electric guitars or violins), sports equipment (like tennis rackets or basketballs), or seasonal items like sparklers and umbrellas.

How to Prompt for Best Results

To apply specific expressions and accessories effectively, use a descriptive formula: [Subject] + [Facial Expression] + [Accessories/Props]. For example, typing "a golden retriever smiling smugly wearing retro sunglasses and a party hat" produces multiple variations directly inside the Messages app, which can then be saved as stickers, shared inline, or used as Tapback reactions.