In iOS 13, Apple allows you to create a standardized iMessage profile that includes your name and photo – or an Animoji/Memoji – which accompanies the messages you send to friends so that they know who you are.

The idea behind the new feature is that contacts in the Messages become more easily identifiable, similar to the way WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger contacts have recognizable profile pictures.

If you choose to use a Memoji as your profile pic, you'll be happy to learn that iOS 13 also provides options for customizing it, including pre-selected poses and background colors.

How to Add a Custom Message Photo Profile in iOS 13

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap Messages.
  3. Tap Share Name and Photo.
    how to create a custome imessage profile in ios 13

  4. To use a photo in your new profile, tap the Camera button and take a picture of yourself. Alternatively, tap All Photos to choose an existing picture from your photo albums.
  5. Once you've selected a picture, you'll be given the option to move and scale it in the circular frame. Click Choose once you're done.
  6. You'll then be asked to select a filter to apply to the photo. Alternatively, tap Original to skip this step.
  7. Tap Done.
    how to create a custom imessage profile in ios 13

  8. Tap the empty fields alongside your profile picture to enter your first and second name.
  9. Make sure the Share Name and Photo switch is toggled to the On position.
  10. Choose from one of the automatic contact sharing options – Contacts Only, Always Ask, or Anyone.

How to Add a Message Animoji/Memoji Profile in iOS 13

  1. Launch the Settings app on your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌.
  2. Tap Messages.
  3. Tap Share Name and Photo.
    how to create a custome imessage profile in ios 13

  4. Select an Animoji from the default list. If you've created a Memoji, it will also appear in the list for you to choose.
  5. In the next screen, select a pre-defined Pose.
    how to create a custom memoji imessage profile in ios 13

  6. Move and scale the image in the circular profile frame, then tap Choose.
  7. Select a background color.
  8. Tap Done.
  9. Tap the empty fields alongside your profile picture to enter your first and second name.
  10. Make sure the Share Name and Photo switch is toggled to the On position.
  11. Choose from one of the automatic contact sharing options: Contacts Only, Always Ask, or Anyone.

In iOS 13, you can also turn your Memoji into stickers, which can be used across numerous apps like Messages and Mail. Memoji stickers and the Memoji editor are also supported by all devices with an A9 chip or later – not just those with TrueDepth cameras.

Related Forum: iOS 13

Top Rated Comments

dontwalkhand Avatar
59 months ago
Sounds like Apple really wants to replace Facebook messenger and what’s app. I’m ok with this, but they need an iMessage app for Android users too as I can’t always tell my friends to get an iPhone and they actually listen.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
miflgr92 Avatar
59 months ago
Do iMessage profiles do anything about the problem of multiple conversations to the same person using different contact details (email/phone number)?
This is my biggest pet peeve about iMessage. Sure the memojis and stuff are fun, but what about improving the actual function of iMessage? Threads based on contact info, not number, would be ideal. I have family all around the world and they swap SIM cards frequently while traveling back and forth. I have all of their numbers programmed into their contact info. Why does iMessage start a new thread with each number instead of continuing from where we left off before they swapped SIM cards? Come on Apple.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sterlingindigo Avatar
59 months ago
It would be nice if these ios13 how to’s were posted once iOS 13 becomes available to those who aren’t developers or posted to a separate developers board or at least a disclaimer for the general public that iOS 13 isn’t available yet.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thewhitehart Avatar
59 months ago
What happens if you have someone’s name and photo in your address book already? Does their custom profile override your settings?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ke-iron Avatar
59 months ago

You can see Facebook dominates world with Messanger and WhatsApp. iMessage do not appear in report. Not sure it is omnited or irrelevant.
https://www.similarweb.com/blog/worldwide-messaging-apps
And in some regions you have data for chatting in WhatsApp for free, like in Africa.
It clearly shows how people care about privacy.
It seems as though iMessage was omitted because unlike the messengers in the report, iMessage cannot be installed on any other platform but Apple’s own. But iMessage has a huge user base. I know a lot of people who uses iMessage as their primary messenger, they just use what’s app to communicate with people overseas, group chats that involves people who use android phones or to send large files. I myself fit into that category, if it wasn’t for those reasons I’d never use WhatsApp.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Textime Avatar
59 months ago
They should optimize the search function on iMessage rather than doing new memojis. For example if someone used the word car once a week and you’re searching for that specific word you only get the result for the last time mentioned. Worse, if you search for a person you didn’t talk long time ago the person won’t show up if you search the name. You need to scroll through all your conversations down.
All in all there is a lot of work to do on iMessage.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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