Make Your Own Memoji on the New iOS 12

“Be yourself or whoever you want to be.” That’s Apple’s latest mantra when it comes to the coolest new feature of iOS 12, Memoji.

Memoji are the next tech-evolution birthed from Animoji, the animated characters that use the iPhone’s front facing TrueDepth camera system to create cartoon caricatures that mimic the user’s expressions. And if you’ve been on social media in the last couple of months, chances are you’ve seen a glimpse of an Animoji somewhere on your timeline or feed, perhaps a pig, fox, cat and rooster head singing Bohemian Rhapsody?  The new Memoji follow the same concept of Animoji, but instead of a robot, an alien, or even a pile of poop, you get to design and create a human character that looks just like you — or, however you want it to look.  It’s your own personalized avatar, at your service.

A couple of caveats to the new tech.  First, they are limited only to iPhones with the TrueDepth camera system, such as the iPhone X and soon-to-be released XS, XS Max and XR models.  Still stuck on that iPhone 6?  Older iPhones are unable to use the new and exciting feature, but can still receive them in the form of a photograph or video.  So if you really want to play, you might have to swallow your pride and go for an upgrade.

Memoji are customizable in just about every way, with Apple giving users the option to choose from a variety of skin tones, hair colors, styles and facial hair variations, as well as the ability to alter a character’s head shape, eyes, nose, lips, and more. Plus, users also have the option to dress their Memoji up in sweet accessories like hats and glasses.

Creating a Memoji is done in the Messages app, and is super fun and simple. No, really, it is.  Now where is that “pinky swear” Animoji?

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Photo Credit: Hadrian / Shutterstock.com