Memoji gets a big update in iOS 16 – here’s everything that’s new

Apple’s iOS 16 for iPhone includes even more ways to customize Memoji characters and even removes some of the barriers that existed in iOS 15.

If you’re not familiar with Memoji, this is a feature that allows you to record funny messages using various animated emoji characters that mimic your facial expressions. It started in iOS 11 when basically animal faces were called Animoji. It then branched out into characters that you could create yourself in iOS 12, either as your own avatar or as a unique figure from your imagination. Then iOS 13 introduced Memoji stickers, which let you send your creations as stickers in most apps.

To create a new Memoji, go to Messages, open a conversation, and click the Memoji button on the app drawer. If you don’t see the app drawer, tap the App Store icon next to the text box first. When the interface opens, swipe up on it to expand it, or swipe right to the top, then press the plus (+) button. Then create your character using all the available options and click “Done”to save your creation.

Now that that’s not the case, let’s take a look at all the new Memoji updates that come with iOS 16. The software update is still in beta and won’t be released to everyone until September, but you can install the beta if would like to immediately use all the new Memoji features.

1. 17 new/updated hairstyles + 1 new headpiece

There were already plenty of hairstyles to choose from, but now you can make your Memoji look even more like you with new curly hairstyles, box braids, and boxer braids, as well as three updated curly hair options. Choose your favorite among 14 new, three updated or countless “old”styles by clicking on one of them in the “Hairstyles”section. Scroll down to the Hats section to unlock a new headwear variant: the bonnet.

New hairstyles and hats

• Long and curly with center part and fringes
• Long loose curls with a parting in the middle
• Long loose curls with side parting
• Long and curly in a fringed high ponytail
• Long loose curls in a ponytail with a fringe
• Long boxing braids
• Long pigtails
• Medium loose curls with a parting in the middle
• Medium loose curls with side parting
• Medium and curly with side parting and fringes
• Medium and curly with a center part
• Short loose curls with a half-shave
• Short loose curls in bob style
• Long and curly hairstyle with fringes
• hood

Updated hairstyles

• Long and curly with a central part
• Long and curly with side part
• Medium and curly with side parting

2. 9 new noses

iOS 15 only had three nose options, and iOS 16 just increased that to 12 nose shapes. The nose may be a small detail in a Memoji, but it can drastically change the look of your character. Experiment with the new options and see for yourself.

3. There are 3 more neutral lip colors

Three more neutral lip colors are now available, and as with any other lip tint, you can further customize each one using the slider that appears once you select it. New neutral colors are soft pink, soft orange and soft plum.

4. There are 6 new sticker poses

Memoji stickers aren’t animated, but they’re just as fun. In the latest update, you can choose from six new expressive sticker poses. While in a conversation thread, you can find them by tapping the Memoji sticker button in the app drawer.

To access them in other apps, open the emoji keyboard and swipe right to access “Frequently Used”emojis and stickers, then tap the ellipsis (•••) to see all stickers. If you don’t see them on your keyboard, switch them to Settings -> General -> Keyboard -> Memoji Stickers.

5. Any Memoji sticker can be a picture of a contact

In iOS 15, you could choose from 12 Memoji sticker poses for a contact picture, but you can choose from any of the available Memoji stickers in iOS 16.

To set a Memoji as a contact’s photo from messages, tap the contact’s name at the top of the conversation thread, select Info, then Edit, and finally Edit or Add Photo below the contact’s picture or monogram. Select the sticker you want, click Next, move and scale it, click Select, and save it with Done.

You can also change your own iMessage photo via Settings -> Messages -> Share name and photo.

6. And there are 3 new contact stickers

Apple has added three unique sticker poses, as well as enhanced Memoji sticker options for contact photos. Unfortunately, they are not available as regular Memoji stickers for use in chats.

Have fun creating your own character! You can make as many Memoji as you want and use them for contact photos, as text message stickers, or add them to your Instagram stories.