Apple revamps its Genmoji tool in the upcoming iOS 27, giving users a full‑screen workflow for crafting custom emoji. The new interface lets you start from an existing emoji, pull a photo from Photos, or select a person, then describe the desired result in plain text. Once generated, a “Describe a change” panel lets you tweak colors, objects or add elements without starting over.

Apple’s on‑device AI model now retains the original base when you request edits, so each iteration builds on the previous design rather than recreating a fresh emoji. This enables multi‑step compositions, letting creators assemble complex, multi‑element Genmoji and receive style suggestions such as sketches, drawings, or even a minimalist line art version instead of the default 3‑D cartoon look.

Performance gains also show. Generation now completes faster and consumes less power, addressing earlier complaints about battery drain. The same foundation models power Image Playground, which gains photorealistic output and localized AI edits. Together the upgrades position Apple Intelligence as a more practical, on‑device creative suite for everyday messaging, making it viable for power users who need quick, low‑impact creative tools.