How to Make a Memoji? Create, Edit & Export

‍‍Memoji are Apple's supercharged versions of emojis that allow you to create a digital avatar of yourself (or anyone, really) that mimics your facial expressions, captures your voice, and can be used in messages, calls, and more. 

In this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know about creating, editing, and exporting a Memoji on your iPhone so you can make your FaceTime and texting conversations even better.

What is a Memoji?

A Memoji is your own personalized emoji that you can build to look like a cartoon version of you, complete with customizable features like skin tone, hairstyle, accessories, and even piercings or hats. 

While other services, like Bitmoji or Xbox's Avatar system, have allowed users to create digital versions of themselves, Memoji and its key features are exclusive to Apple devices. 

Unlike standard emojis, Memoji can be animated to mimic actions like smiling, frowning, and other facial expressions, as long as you have an iPhone X or newer. In the sections below, we’ll show you how to create and export Memoji. 

Create Memoji on iPhone: 5 Steps

Creating a Memoji is simple and can be done directly in the Messages app. Here's how to create Memoji on iPhone running the latest version of iOS:

1. Open Messages: Launch the Messages app and open a new or existing conversation.
2. Tap the Memoji Icon: Press the "+" button on the left of the text bar at the bottom of the screen, and look for the Memoji button (a face icon). You may have to scroll down a bit.
3. Add New Memoji: Tap the plus icon to start creating a new Memoji (if you don't want to customize a new one, you can swipe right to view default options).
4. Customize Your Memoji: Now, the fun part. After pressing the plus icon, review the options to personalize your Memoji. You can adjust skin tone, hairstyle, eye color, head shape, facial hair, accessories, and even eyewear and  headwear.
5. Save Your Memoji: When you're happy with your new Memoji, tap "Done" to save it.

Once you’re done, your Memoji will be saved to your other Apple devices, like an iPad, Apple Watch and Mac. 

How to Edit Memoji on iPhone

Want to make some updates to your Memoji? Maybe you've changed your look or want to add a new accessory.

Here's how to edit Memoji on iPhone:

1. Open Messages: Go into your Messages app and open a new or existing text thread.
2. Tap the Memoji Icon: Tap the "+" icon to the left of the text bar, and then select the Memoji icon from the list.
3. Select Your Memoji: Scroll through your created Memoji until you find the one you want to update.
4. Edit Your Memoji: Select the "More" icon (three dots) and tap "Edit."
5. Make Your Changes: You can change anything from skin tone and body shape to accessories here.
6. Save Changes: Once you're done, tap "Done" to save your edited Memoji.

How to Use Animated Memoji in Messages

Animated Memoji record your voice and facial expressions, giving your Messages conversations an extra dose of personality and fun. Here's how to make a Memoji talk in the Messages app:

1. Open Messages: Go to your Messages app and open a new or existing text conversation.
2. Tap the Memoji Icon: Tap the "+" icon to the left of the text bar, then select the Memoji icon from the list.
3. Select Your Memoji: Pick the Memoji you want to animate.
4. Record Your Message: Tap the red Record button and speak. Your Memoji will mimic your expressions as you talk. You can record for up to 30 seconds.
5. Send Your Animated Memoji: Once you're satisfied with your recording, tap the Send button.

Pro tip: If your Memoji isn't capturing your facial expressions or mouth movements as well as you'd like, try moving to an area with better lighting conditions.

How to Make Memoji Stickers

After you make a Memoji, it automatically becomes a sticker pack you can access from the keyboard in Messages and other apps. Check out our guide If you’d like to learn more about how to make and use stickers on iPhone.  

Think of Memoji stickers as static versions of an animated Memoji. They show your Memoji doing fun poses, like waving, blowing a kiss, or making a "call me" symbol with their hand.

Here's how to share them:

1. Open Messages: Open your Messages app and tap a new or existing text thread.
2. Tap the Memoji Icon: Tap the "+" icon to the left of the text bar, and then select the Stickers window from the list.
3. Select the Memoji Icon: Find the Memoji button in the new window (it's the icon showing three faces).
4. Find Your Memoji: Scroll through the Memoji until you find the one you'd like to use. Your custom Memoji should be near the front of the list.
5. Choose Your Sticker: Select the pose you want to send.
6. Send: Tap Send.

What's also great is that Memoji stickers aren't just limited to Messages. You can also use them in emails, notes, or third-party apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger.

Also, if you’re in a conversation in the Messages app, you can long press a text bubble and select the “Add Sticker” option to use a sticker to react to replies. Don’t forget, you can also combine these with iPhone text effects to make your messages stand out even more. 

How to Use Memoji in FaceTime Calls

Memoji aren't just for text conversations—you can use them in FaceTime, too. Here's a quick guide on how to add a Memoji to your FaceTime video call:

1. Open FaceTime: Start a FaceTime call.
2. Tap Effects: Once the call begins, tap the Effects button (the star icon).
3. Choose Your Memoji: Select the Memoji you want to appear as.
4. Enjoy the Call: Your Memoji will now replace your face in the call, mimicking your expressions in real time.

If your iPhone doesn’t have the option to FaceTime using a Memoji, it might be time to download an iOS software update or upgrade your device. 

If you’re looking for iPhone deals, check out our running list of the best iPhone 16 deals across carriers updated as soon as we detect a change. Also, our free and unbiased Phone Deal Finder below can help you find the best iPhone deals you qualify for based on your criteria. 

How to Export Your Memoji

If you'd like to share your Memoji outside of Apple apps, you can save it as a video and export it. Here's how to export Memoji:

1. Open the Clips App: Open or download the Clips app from the Apple App Store (Clips is a native Apple app).
2. Open Memoji: With the camera pointed to yourself, press the star icon to the right of the screen to open the Memoji menu. Select the one you'd like to use.
3. Record Your Video: Hold down on the red bar in the middle of the screen and record your video.
4. Save to Photos: After recording, press the icon to the bottom right of the screen (square with an arrow pointing up), and select Save Video. This saves it as a video in your Photos app.

Managing and Deleting Memoji

Once you've created several Memoji, you might want to organize or delete a few. To manage your Memoji:

1. Open Messages: Go to the Messages app.
2. Tap on the Memoji Icon: Open the Memoji menu by selecting the "+" button and pressing the Memoji icon.
3. Select the Memoji: Find the one you want to delete.
4. Tap More: Tap the three dots and select "Edit" to update, "Duplicate" to copy, or "Delete" to remove it.

The Bottom Line

Memoji are a great way to add some personal flair to your conversations. You can create versions that look like you or make something different and new— it’s entirely up to you. 

No matter what you come up with, Memoji can make your conversations more fun and allow you to explore your creativity. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Memoji in Other Apps?

Yes, you can use Memoji in other apps, but with limitations. Animated Memoji are exclusive to Apple's iMessage and FaceTime, but you can still use Memoji stickers in third-party apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. Just open your keyboard, find the Memoji Stickers, and select the one you want.

Does Memoji have an app?

Yes, Memoji does have a standalone app, but there’s not much you can do with it. The app is available on Apple Watch, and allows you to add or customize your existing Memoji right from your wrist. There is no standalone app for iPhone. 

Is Memoji available on Android?

Memoji is not directly available on Android. If you send an animated Memoji to someone with an Android phone, it'll appear as a video. However, some Android models, like newer Samsung Galaxy devices, offer a similar feature called AR Emoji, and you can also find third-party apps like Bitmoji that allow for similar avatar creations.