Apple Intelligence lets you create custom emojis — Here’s what it gets right and wrong

Artificial intelligence continues to transform digital communication, with Apple’s new Genmoji feature offering iPhone users the ability to create personalized emoji expressions using AI technology.

Core functionality and availability: Genmoji debuts as part of iOS 18.2, introducing AI-powered custom emoji creation capabilities with specific hardware requirements.

• The feature is exclusively available on iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models
• Users can generate unique emojis beyond the standard emoji library using natural language prompts
• The system responds to both literal and emotional descriptors to create custom expressions

Practical applications: Testing reveals various successful use cases for creating personalized emoji content.

• Personal avatars can be customized with specific features like hairstyles, clothing, and accessories
• Gratitude expressions extend beyond traditional heart emojis through prompts like “thank you letter”
• Relaxation and happiness themes emerge through specific scenarios like “spa day”
• Kid-friendly humor incorporates playful concepts like “farting” and “messy”
• Food-related emojis and landscape scenes add variety to messaging options

Technical insights and best practices: User experimentation highlights key strategies for optimal results.

• Literal prompts often generate more accurate results than abstract emotional descriptions
• Multiple attempts may be necessary to achieve desired outcomes for complex concepts
• Synonyms can help differentiate custom emojis from existing standard options
• Simple, direct language tends to produce clearer and more usable results

User experience considerations: The platform demonstrates both strengths and limitations in real-world usage.

• Creating personalized avatar emojis offers enhanced self-expression options
• Some emotional concepts prove challenging to capture accurately through AI generation
• The system shows particular strength in concrete, descriptive prompts
• Generation results can vary in quality and accuracy depending on prompt specificity

Looking forward: While Genmoji represents a significant step in personalized digital expression, its current hardware limitations and occasional prompt interpretation challenges suggest room for continued development and refinement as the technology matures.