iOS 27 Genmoji Upgrade Reportedly Uses Photos and Common Phrases for Suggestions

Apple plans to make Genmoji more useful in iOS 27 by giving users automatic suggestions based on their photo library and keyboard history, according to a new report. The change points to a more proactive version of Genmoji, where the iPhone suggests custom emoji ideas instead of waiting for users to type prompts manually.



Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said Apple is testing a new optional toggle for “Suggested Genmoji” in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27.




“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 in the next iPhone and iPad software update.




Genmoji could become easier to use in iOS 27



Genmoji first arrived with iOS 18.2 as part of Apple Intelligence, letting users create emoji-style images by typing simple prompts. Apple then expanded the feature in iOS 26 with deeper customization and the ability to mix two emojis.



The reported iOS 27 upgrade sounds more practical because it brings Genmoji closer to how people actually type and share reactions. Instead of asking users to think of a prompt, the keyboard can suggest custom Genmoji based on familiar phrases, recent habits, and images already stored on the device.



The feature also raises an obvious privacy question because it uses photos and “commonly typed phrases” to create suggestions. Apple making the feature optional helps, especially for users who do not want their keyboard history involved in emoji suggestions.



It remains unclear whether Genmoji in iOS 27 will continue to rely only on on-device models. Still, Apple appears to be treating Suggested Genmoji as a small but visible way to increase Genmoji usage after its mixed start.