If you want a personalised emoji or cartoon of yourself rather than the standard smileys, there are plenty of apps that will do the hard work. Around 2018 the market includes full avatar makers that generate hundreds of sticker variations, keyboard apps that let you paste your custom images into any chat, and platform-specific options from handset makers.
What these apps actually do
Most of the apps fall into one of a few categories. Bitmoji (the best-known option) asks you to build a cartoon twin using an extensive wardrobe of hair, face and clothing options, then generates a library of stickers — happy, sad, sarcastic, celebratory — ready to use. Bitmoji also links to Snapchat, and offers a keyboard extension so you can use your stickers in other apps.
Other apps take a selfie and convert it into stickers or short animated GIFs. Some are simple sticker-pack creators (export PNGs you can paste into iMessage, WhatsApp or Messenger), while others create animated versions of your face or let you stick your head on pre-made comic templates. Examples you’ll come across include keyboard-focused apps that let you type with your stickers directly, and standalone creators that export images into the clipboard or your camera roll.
Phone-makers have also been joining in. Samsung’s AR Emoji (seen on recent Galaxy phones) tries to build an animated avatar from your selfie and plugs into Samsung’s messaging and keyboard tools. Apple’s face-tracking Animoji — intended for iPhone X–class devices — is a different take, animating animal faces and short recordings using your expressions rather than building a permanent cartoon avatar.
Where the results work
If an app exports images or GIFs, you can paste or send them in any chat that accepts images: iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, SMS/MMS, Telegram and so on. iOS also supports iMessage sticker packs for a tighter integration in Messages. Keyboard apps aim to let you insert stickers into any app as if they were regular emoji or GIFs, though the exact behaviour depends on the platform and the app’s permissions.
Cost, privacy and things to watch
Most avatar and sticker apps are free to download and include a reasonable free tier. Many monetise with in‑app purchases (extra clothing, special poses or animations), or offer a paid upgrade to remove ads. A few charge for premium sticker sets or a subscription for regular new content.
Privacy is worth a quick check. Keyboard apps often ask for broad permissions — on iOS that’s a “Full Access” toggle — which can allow them to send what you type back to their servers. If an app converts a selfie into an avatar on a remote server, expect some image uploading. Read the app’s privacy notes and opt for apps that do the work on-device if that matters to you.
Quick tips
- Try a well-known free option first (Bitmoji is a safe starting point). - If you don’t want to hand over typing data, avoid installing third‑party keyboards or deny full‑access where possible. - Use exported PNG or GIF stickers when you want the widest compatibility across chat apps.
Play around — most of these apps are cheap or free to try — and you’ll soon have a little cartoon you actually enjoy sending.
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