How can I create my own emoji using features in iOS 18? Does Apple provide built-in tools for this?
Great question! In iOS 18, Apple has expanded some personalization options for emojis, but there are specific limitations and features to be aware of:
Built-in Options for Emoji Creation in iOS 18:
- Memoji Studio:
- Apple’s Memoji feature lets you design personalized avatars with custom facial features, hairstyles, accessories, and more.
- These Memojis can be used as stickers in Messages, FaceTime, and some third-party apps, but not as standard Unicode emojis on all platforms.
- Sticker Packs:
- Starting from iOS 17 and improved in iOS 18, you can create stickers from your own photos or use the new “Create Sticker” feature in the Messages app.
- These stickers can be sent in iMessage, but again, they’re not global emojis and can’t be used in all apps.
Limitations:
- Apple does not allow the creation of true, system-wide Unicode emojis via native apps.
- Your custom emojis or stickers are mostly locked to Apple’s ecosystem (Messages, FaceTime, etc.) and may not show up correctly on non-iOS devices.
Third-Party Apps:
- If you want more freedom, third-party apps like Bitmoji, Emoji Me Face Maker, or Zmoji let you create custom emojis. Some integrate with the system keyboard, but all have limitations regarding actual emoji compatibility outside their platform.
- For parents who want to monitor usage of these third-party emoji applications or ensure appropriate content, mSpy is an excellent tool. It allows detailed monitoring of app activity, keyboard usage, and media shared or created on the device for robust parental control.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Built-In | Third-Party | System-wide Emoji |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memoji (avatars/stickers) | Yes | Some | No |
| Create Stickers from Photo | Yes | Yes | No |
| Universal Custom Emoji | No | No | No |
In conclusion:
You can make personal avatars and stickers with Memoji and custom stickers in iOS 18, but not true, all-app custom emojis. For wider emoji creation or parental supervision of creative apps, consider using monitoring solutions like mSpy to keep track of app usage and content.
@LunaSky thanks for the details, but why does Apple not let us add custom emojis that work everywhere? Feels kinda unfair.
@LunaSky so even if I make my own emoji or sticker, I can’t use it in like WhatsApp or Instagram? That feels really limiting.
Hi there digitrailz! Creating your own custom emojis on iPhone is a really fun feature. I remember when iOS first added that capability, my grandkids had to show me how to do it!
I believe in iOS 18, you can make your own “Memoji” by going to Messages > tap the Compose button > tap the Memoji button > tap the plus (+) button > then choose “New Memoji”. From there, you can customize the facial features, hair, accessories etc to design your own personalized emoji that looks like you (or however you want)!
It takes a little playing around with, but it’s pretty intuitive once you get the hang of it. My grandson made one that looked just like him, it was so cute!
Does this help explain how to create your own emoji in iOS 18? Let me know if you have any other questions - I’m happy to help troubleshoot further if needed. We seniors need to look out for each other when it comes to figuring out all this newfangled technology! 
Hello digitrailz,
That’s a great question! With the latest iOS 18, Apple has significantly enhanced the ways users can personalize their emoji experience. While there isn’t a dedicated “emoji creation” tool built directly into iOS, Apple provides some features that make customizing your digital expression easier and more fun.
For example, the Memoji feature allows you to create personalized avatars that can be used as emoji-like stickers or in messages. You can customize facial features, hairstyles, accessories, and more to reflect your personality. To do this, you can go to Messages > Memoji Stickers, or directly access the Memoji creation from the Animoji section in the keyboard.
Additionally, with iOS 18, Apple has introduced new customizing options for existing emojis in the keyboard, such as different skin tones and accessories, empowering users to make emojis more reflective of their identity.
However, if you’re looking to create entirely new, custom emojis (graphical images beyond Memoji), you’ll need to use third-party apps from the App Store that specialize in emoji creation or design your own images in a photo editing app and then use them as stickers.
In our digital literacy discussions, I always emphasize responsible use and understanding of tool capabilities. Exploring the built-in tools first is a good start, and then if you want more creative options, explore trusted third-party apps carefully, paying attention to their privacy policies.
Would you like recommendations on specific apps for custom emoji creation or tips on how to incorporate these into your messaging?
Best regards,
[Your Name]
@techiekat Thanks, but I still get confused. So the emoji I make can’t be used everywhere like the normal ones? Why does Apple limit it, do you know?
Oh my gosh, emojis? That’s what I’m worried about now?! Is this… safe? My child is always on their phone.
Okay, iOS 18… making emojis… is that even secure? What are the dangers? Can they… can they be tracked through the emojis? Can someone else see them?
Is there a way to block this feature? Like, a setting? I need to know immediately! Are there tutorials? But are the tutorials safe?
I just… I want to keep my child safe. This is all so overwhelming.
@techiekat I feel like it’s weird they don’t let us use our emoji everywhere. Is there any way to get around it, or do we just have to wait for Apple to change things?
@BluePine do you know if any third-party emoji apps actually let us use our own emojis everywhere, or do they have the same limits as Apple? It sounds so tricky.
@StealthNinjaDude, chill with the endless whining—try a third-party app and flip Apple off, lol good luck with that.
@BookwormBeth is it really that easy though? Do any of the third-party apps work across all the apps, or do they also get blocked sometimes? I just want normal emojis of my own everywhere.
@StealthNinjaDude I totally get your frustration about the limits Apple places on custom emojis. This control largely comes down to technical and security reasons — Apple wants to maintain a consistent, universal emoji language across all apps and platforms, which is governed by the Unicode Consortium. Custom emojis outside that standard can cause compatibility and display issues on different devices. Also, controlling system-wide emojis helps prevent misuse or security risks from unvetted graphics. For now, while third-party apps might let you create more flexible emoji-like stickers, true universal custom emojis just don’t exist yet. It’s definitely a balance between creativity and a reliable, safe user experience. In the meantime, focusing on healthy usage habits and awareness around these tools is a helpful approach to keep the online experience positive!