Apple rolled out its Genmoji feature at the end of 2024 as part of its promised Apple Intelligence features. While Apple has claimed that the feature – which allows users to create emoji using natural language – has been popular among users, the feature has proven to be troublesome, says Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Gurman’s comments came in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter. Gurman says the images created by the feature look nothing like those used in Apple’s advertisements. Plus, the creation models use too much power, causing users’ iPhones to overheat and drain the devices’ batteries.
Genmoji were designed to allow users to simply type a description into the emoji keyboard and be offered multiple options to choose from. Using photos from their Photo Library, users can also create Genmoji inspired by friends or family members. Genmoji can be personalized with accessories, such as sunglasses and hats, or reflects themes or activities to make them even more personalized. Genmoji can be added inline to messages, or shared as a sticker or reaction in a Tapback.
Apple has tweaked Genmoji a few times since its debut, including the ability for users to combine regular emoji into a Genmoji. Now, in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, Apple is planning to add a new feature that it hopes will increase adoption of the feature: Suggested Genmoji. “Suggested Genmoji are created from your photos and your commonly typed phrases,” reads a new toggle in the keyboard settings of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. The capability will be optional.
