Google’s latest update to Messages introduces Photomoji, a feature allowing users to use images as reactions and stickers. While most of the new Messages features announced last week are yet to be widely available, Pixel owners not on the Google Messages beta are already seeing Photomoji as part of the January Feature Drop.
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Photomoji can be accessed via a new tab in the emoji/expressive picker within the Messages app. Additionally, Magic Compose on the Pixel 8 Pro now operates on-device, thanks to Gemini Nano. Google had previously announced that Photomoji and Magic Compose are leaving beta for Samsung devices.
To access Photomoji, users can long-press on an SMS text or RCS chat and scroll to the end of the reactions bar to select “Create.” Alternatively, they can use the Photomoji button in the emoji picker to create reactions without sending them first. The feature uses an automated process to detect suitable images for Photomoji reactions.
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Once created and sent, Photomoji reactions appear the same size as regular emoji but expand to a larger preview when tapped. They are grouped in a new “Custom” tab alongside Emoji, GIFs, and Stickers, making it easy to sort and find them. Users can also send Photomoji as stickers.
