Animoji are a fun way to send messages that are exclusive to the iPhone X. Using the front-facing TrueDepth camera, you use animated versions of Emoji characters to create an up-to-30-second video message, with the Animoji character you choose following your facial movements. Because it records your audio as well, this has the effect of making the Animoji look like it's talking. With the introduction of iOS 12, you'll also be able to create and use Memoji, Apple's take on a personalized emoji-style avatar that you can create in your — or any — image.

Here's how you can create and send your own Animoji and Memoji on your iPhone X.

How to create and send Animoji and Memoji

  1. Open Messages on your iPhone X.
  2. Tap the conversation in which you'd like to send an Animoji.

  3. Tap the Animoji button in the message app bar at the bottom of the screen (looks like a monkey).

    Open Messages, tap conversation, tap Animoji button

  4. Scroll left and right on the character selector to select your desired Animoji character — Memojis will appear first in the lineup.
  5. Tap the record button in the bottom-right corner of the Animoji screen.

  6. Record your Animoji message.

    Scroll, tap record, record Animoji message

  7. Tap on the stop button to stop recording before the maximum time of 30 seconds.
  8. Tap the delete button if you want to scrap the message you've just recorded.

  9. Tap the send button to send your Animoji.

    Tap stop, tap delete button, tap Send

And remember, you can also share any Animoji — including Memoji — you send or receive to other apps and social networks.

How to share Animoji to any social network

Questions?

If you've got any other questions about sending Animoji, let us know in the comments.

Updated June 2018: Added information about Memoji, a new Animoji feature that will launch with iOS 12 later this year.

iPhone XS + iPhone XS Max

Main