# Apple’s Genmoji in iOS 18: A New Chapter in Emoji Personalization
At the **WWDC 2024 keynote**, Apple unveiled a revolutionary feature with the forthcoming **iOS 18** update: **Genmoji**. This cutting-edge tool harnesses **Apple Intelligence** to enable users to design custom emoji characters using AI-powered text prompts. Picture entering something imaginative like “T-rex in a tutu on a surfboard” and instantly receiving a distinctive emoji that reflects the idea. Genmoji promises to transform emoji communication, introducing a new level of personal touch and ingenuity.
## What is Genmoji?
Genmoji is a functionality in iOS 18 that employs **artificial intelligence (AI)** to craft personalized emojis based on user descriptions. Unlike conventional emojis, which come from a set selection, Genmoji lets users conjure entirely new emojis just by articulating what they envision. For example, entering “a cat donning sunglasses” will produce an emoji that corresponds, providing an unprecedented degree of customization.
### How Does Genmoji Function?
Apple has engineered Genmoji to operate like **stickers** and **Memoji**, but with the added advantage of AI generation. The company has rolled out a new API called **NSAdaptiveImageGlyph**, allowing developers to integrate Genmoji seamlessly into their applications. This API ensures that Genmoji acts like standard emojis, meaning users can insert them in texts, copy and share them, and even employ them as stickers in messaging platforms.
The **NSAdaptiveImageGlyph API** is crafted to ensure compatibility with various apps, notably those that accommodate rich text. This spans messaging applications, blogs, and note-taking software. Genmoji is designed to coexist with traditional text and will maintain line height and text formatting, facilitating straightforward integration into everyday conversations.
## A Revamped Emoji Keyboard
To support the introduction of Genmoji, Apple is redesigning the emoji keyboard in iOS 18. The enhanced keyboard will provide a more cohesive experience, merging **Unicode characters**, **Memoji**, **stickers**, and **Genmoji** into a unified interface. This redesign guarantees that users can easily navigate through all available emoji choices, whether they prefer a standard emoji or a custom Genmoji.
## Technical Features of Genmoji
Apple has made significant efforts to ensure that Genmoji operates seamlessly across various platforms and applications. The **NSAdaptiveImageGlyphs** utilize a standardized image format with a square aspect ratio and multiple resolutions. This design guarantees that Genmoji appears sharp and clear, regardless of the device or screen dimensions. Additionally, each Genmoji is accompanied by a globally unique and stable identifier, simplifying reference and sharing.
For accessibility purposes, Genmoji includes a **content description** for screen readers, ensuring visually impaired users can also appreciate the feature. Furthermore, Apple has integrated alignment metrics to ensure that Genmoji aligns well with standard text, preserving proper layout and formatting.
### Compatibility and Retro-Compatibility
A notable aspect of Genmoji is its **retro-compatibility**. Apple has crafted the feature so that it functions with older operating systems and app versions. If a user sends a Genmoji to an individual using an older iOS version or a different application, the Genmoji will display as a standard text attachment, ensuring inclusivity in conversations.
However, Apple does advise that Genmoji may not be ideal for certain types of text. For example, it may not fit well with text-only items such as email addresses or phone numbers, where rich text formatting is absent.
## How to Utilize Genmoji in iOS 18
While **iOS 18** has been launched, the Genmoji feature is still pending. Apple states that Genmoji will roll out later this year with the **iOS 18.2** update, alongside another feature called **Image Playground**. Currently, some aspects of Apple Intelligence are available in the **iOS 18.1 beta**, but users will need to wait a bit longer to commence generating their own Genmoji.
Once Genmoji becomes available, utilizing it will be a breeze. Users will find the feature in the revamped emoji keyboard, where they can type a description of the emoji they wish to create. The AI will then produce a custom emoji based on the entered text, which can be embedded in messages, notes, or any other application that supports rich text.
### Possible Use Cases
Genmoji could significantly impact various scenarios:
1. **Messaging**: Users could create tailored emojis to convey their emotions in ways that standard emojis cannot. Whether it’s a humorous mix like “a dog surfing a
