# Apple’s Genmoji in iOS 18: A New Era of Emoji Customization
During the **WWDC 2024 keynote**, Apple introduced an innovative feature in its forthcoming **iOS 18** update: **Genmoji**. As part of Apple’s extensive **Apple Intelligence** initiative, this feature permits users to craft custom emojis utilizing **AI**, based on text prompts. Picture entering something as fanciful as “T-rex wearing a tutu on a surfboard” and seeing it swiftly transformed into a bespoke emoji. This advancement is set to transform our emoji communication, providing a level of customization previously unseen on mobile platforms.
## What is Genmoji?
At its essence, **Genmoji** is an AI-driven tool that produces distinctive emoji characters derived from user input. In contrast to conventional emojis, which are confined to a limited set of symbols, Genmoji empowers users to design entirely new and dynamic images. Whether you’re envisioning a dancing robot or a cat sporting sunglasses, Genmoji can realize your creative vision.
Apple has crafted Genmoji to integrate effortlessly within the existing emoji framework. These AI-generated emojis function like standard emojis, **stickers**, or **Memoji**, enhancing their versatility and usability across a variety of apps and platforms.
### Key Features of Genmoji:
1. **AI-Generated Emojis**: Users can input a description, and the AI will produce a corresponding emoji.
2. **NSAdaptiveImageGlyph API**: This new API enables developers to embed Genmoji in their applications, ensuring smooth functionality across various platforms.
3. **Emoji Keyboard Redesign**: Apple is overhauling the emoji keyboard to incorporate **Unicode characters**, **Memoji**, **stickers**, and now **Genmoji** emojis.
4. **Rich Text Support**: Genmoji is designed to work alongside standard text, honoring line height and text formatting, making it easily integrable into messages, blog entries, and more.
## How Genmoji Works
The enchantment of Genmoji stems from Apple’s **NSAdaptiveImageGlyph API**, which guarantees that these AI-generated emojis act like traditional emojis. Developers can seamlessly add Genmoji to their applications, enabling users to create and share custom emojis in various contexts.
Genmoji images utilize a **standard image format** with a square aspect ratio and diverse resolutions, ensuring that the emojis remain sharp and vibrant, independent of the device or screen size. Furthermore, each Genmoji includes **metadata** such as a globally unique identifier and a content description for accessibility, making them visually appealing as well as functional and inclusive.
### Integration with Rich Text
One of Genmoji’s most thrilling features is its compatibility with **rich text**. This compatibility allows Genmoji to be utilized in a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from messaging platforms to blog posts and even notes. The emojis will adhere to the formatting of the surrounding text, guaranteeing they mesh seamlessly into the overall content. However, Apple has remarked that Genmoji may not be ideal for use with text-only items like email addresses or phone numbers.
### Backward Compatibility
For users operating older systems or apps that haven’t adopted Genmoji yet, Apple has ensured **retro-compatibility**. In such scenarios, the Genmoji will display as a standard text attachment, maintaining accessibility even on outdated devices.
## How to Use Genmoji in iOS 18.2
With the launch of the **iOS 18.2 developer beta**, users can now preview the Genmoji feature. Here’s a simple guide on how to utilize it:
1. **Open the Emoji Keyboard**: On your iPhone, access the keyboard and tap the emoji icon.
2. **Select the Genmoji Icon**: A new Genmoji icon will be available alongside the conventional emojis and stickers.
3. **Describe the Image**: Type a description of the emoji you wish to create. For instance, “a panda playing a guitar.”
4. **Generate and Customize**: After the AI produces the emoji, you can review it. If it meets your expectations, you can save it to your sticker library or send it directly to friends.
This user-friendly process enables individuals to easily create and share individualized emojis in just a few steps.
## The Future of Emoji Communication
The launch of Genmoji signifies Apple’s commitment to redefining how emojis are used in daily communication. By harnessing AI, the company is empowering users to craft emojis that reflect their unique expressions and creativity. This marks a significant advancement from the static, predefined emoji collections we have become accustomed to.
### Potential Use Cases
1. **Personalized Messaging**: Rather than relying on generic emojis, users can create emojis that perfectly capture
