Memoji Maker: How to Make a Memoji Look Just Like You

What to Know

  • Open a message thread or start a new one, tap the Memoji icon, then tap the add icon. Create your memoji to your specifications from there.
  • iOS 16 includes some new hair colors, lip colors, and nose options.
  • To edit a Memoji, open a message thread or start a new one, tap the Memoji icon, then tap an existing Memoji to edit it

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

If you've ever wanted to create your own emoji, then you're going to have a lot of fun playing with Memojis, a feature introduced with iOS 12 and improved in iOS 15 to add new customization options. We'll walk you through how to create and edit an emoji version of yourself, complete with features as unique as you are.

Why You'll Love This Feature

  • More ways to tailor your Memoji's features to reflect the real you, including options for cochlear implants, oxygen tube, soft helmet, and heterochromatic eyes.
  • New ways to customize clothing and accessories make creating a Memoji even more fun.

Memoji Creator: How to Make a Memoji on iPhone & iPad

What are Memojis? Think of them as an emoji version of yourself. Thanks to iOS 16, they're now more customizable than ever! 

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Animated Memoji can be used in messages and on FaceTime with any iPhone or iPad Pro model that supports FaceID, as these devices include TruDepth cameras and the necessary facial recognition sensors for mimicking your movement. Don't have a device with FaceID? That's okay! You'll be able to create a Memoji and send your custom avatar as a Memoji sticker from the emoji menu, but you won't have the ability to send an animated Memoji of yourself. And, for more tutorials about how to use the many customizable features on your iPhone, check out our free Tip of the Day.

Here's how to create a Memoji on iPhone:

  1. Open the Messages app and open an existing conversation or start a new one.

    conversation
  2. Tap on the Memoji icon.

    memoji
     
  3. Tap on the plus icon to the left of the Animoji choices. 


     
  4. When creating a Memoji, you'll start with a blank slate like the image below. Choose skin tone and scroll down to add freckles, blush, and beauty marks.

    Base Memoji 
     
  5. Next, go to Hairstyle, where you'll get to pick a style and color for your Memoji's hair. iOS 16 includes several new options!

    hair
     
  6. Then tap on Brows for eyebrows, forehead markings, and eyebrow piercings, each available as you scroll down the page.

    Brows
     
  7. Eyes are next on the list, with eye color and shape, lashes, eyeliner, and shadow to customize. Scroll down to see each option.

    Eyes
     
  8. Next, tap Head to choose your Memoji's age and head shape.

    Head
     
  9. Under Nose, choose nose size and shape, any piercings, and add an oxygen tube if you'd like.

    oxygen tube
     
  10. Move on to the Mouth menu, and choose mouth shape and color, teeth options, and piercings.

    mouth
     
  11. Next, select Ears to customize ear shape and earrings. You can also add AirPods, hearing aids, or cochlear implants to your Memoji!

    cochlear implants
     
  12. Tap Facial Hair and pick any facial hair you'd like. You can even give your beard highlights!

    Facial hair
     
  13. Move on to Eyewear and, if you wear glasses, choose the shape and color for your frames and lenses. At the bottom you'll find options for eye patches.

    Eyewear and eye patch
     
  14. Tap Headwear to select a hat and/or a face covering. You can select up to three colors for some hat styles. If you wear a soft helmet, you'll find this new headwear option listed here as well!

    Soft helmet
     
  15. Next, tap Clothing to pick your outfit in up to three colors.

    Clothing
     
  16. When you're finished creating your Memoji avatar, simply tap Done in the upper-right corner.

    Done

Now you'll be able to use your Memoji in Messages and FaceTime, even adding extra stickers and effects!

How to Edit Your Memoji on iPhone & iPad

Once you've made a Memoji, you may want to edit it later on, for example if you've gotten a haircut and want your Memoji to reflect this. If you want a Memoji that looks just like you, you can make a sticker out of a photo! To edit a Memoji:

  1. Tap the Memoji button in a text message.

  2. Select the Memoji you want to edit.

  3. Tap the more icon to the bottom-left of your Memoji.

  4. Tap Edit.

  5. Once you choose edit, you will go through the same steps as creating a Memoji, but your original choices will be set as the default. You can also opt to duplicate or delete a Memoji instead of editing it.
  6. Tap Done to save your edited Memoji.

    Tap Done

Now that you have an emoji version of yourself saved to your iPhone, you can use it to personalize your messages or jazz up your FaceTime calls! Next, learn how to get new emojis on your iPhone, and what to do if FaceTime is not working.

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Author Details

Leanne Hays's picture

Author Details

Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays has over a dozen years of experience writing for online publications. As a Feature Writer for iPhone Life, she has authored hundreds of how-to, Apple news, and gear review articles, as well as a comprehensive Photos App guide. Leanne holds degrees in education and science and loves troubleshooting and repair. This combination makes her a perfect fit as manager of our Ask an Expert service, which helps iPhone Life Insiders with Apple hardware and software issues.
In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.