Unleash Your Digital Persona: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Bitmoji
Bitmoji has become a cultural phenomenon, allowing users to create personalized avatars that reflect their unique style and personality. From Snapchat to Gmail, these expressive cartoons add a touch of fun and individuality to digital communication. Whether you’re a seasoned Bitmoji enthusiast or just starting, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create, customize, and use your Bitmoji effectively across various platforms.
## What is Bitmoji?
At its core, Bitmoji is an app that allows you to design a cartoon avatar of yourself. This avatar can then be used in a variety of ways, from sending stickers in messaging apps to creating custom avatars for social media profiles. The appeal lies in its ability to inject personality into online interactions, making them more engaging and relatable.
## Getting Started: Creating Your Bitmoji
Before you can start using Bitmoji, you’ll need to create your avatar. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
**1. Download the Bitmoji App:**
* **For iOS (iPhone/iPad):** Open the App Store and search for “Bitmoji.” Tap “Get” to download and install the app.
* **For Android:** Open the Google Play Store and search for “Bitmoji.” Tap “Install” to download and install the app.
**2. Sign Up or Log In:**
* Once the app is installed, open it. You’ll be presented with two options: “Sign up with Email” or “Continue with Snapchat.”
* **Sign up with Email:** If you choose this option, you’ll need to enter your email address, create a password, and provide your birthday.
* **Continue with Snapchat:** If you’re already a Snapchat user, this is the quickest and easiest way to sign up. Simply tap the “Continue with Snapchat” button, and the app will link your Bitmoji account to your Snapchat account.
**3. Create Your Avatar:**
This is where the fun begins! Bitmoji offers a wide range of customization options to help you create an avatar that truly represents you.
* **Choose Your Avatar Style:** You’ll typically be presented with a choice between “Bitmoji” (the classic style) and “Bitmoji Deluxe” (which offers more customization options, including skin tones, hairstyles, and facial features). Select the style that you prefer. Bitmoji recently introduced new Art Styles to choose from so, explore the latest available options.
* **Select Your Gender:** Choose whether you want to create a male or female avatar. This will determine the initial set of options available to you.
* **Take a Selfie (Optional):** The app may prompt you to take a selfie. This is optional, but it can help you create a more accurate representation of yourself. The app will analyze your features and suggest starting points for your avatar.
* **Customize Your Features:** This is where you’ll spend the most time. You can customize just about every aspect of your avatar, including:
* **Skin Tone:** Choose from a wide range of skin tones to match your own.
* **Hair:** Select your hairstyle, hair color, and hair texture. There are tons of options to choose from, from short and spiky to long and flowing.
* **Facial Features:** Customize your eyes (shape, color, and size), eyebrows (shape, color, and position), nose (shape and size), mouth (shape and size), and jawline.
* **Facial Hair (for male avatars):** Add a beard, mustache, or goatee in various styles and colors.
* **Glasses:** Choose from a variety of glasses styles, including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and reading glasses.
* **Headwear:** Add a hat, headband, or other headwear.
* **Body Type:** Adjust the body type and build of your avatar.
* **Outfit:** Select an outfit from a wide range of clothing styles. You can choose from casual wear, formal wear, athletic wear, and more. You can even customize the colors of your clothing.
**4. Save Your Avatar:**
* Once you’re happy with your avatar, tap the “Save” button (usually a checkmark or “Done” button) in the upper-right corner of the screen. Your Bitmoji will be saved, and you’ll be taken to the Bitmoji home screen.
## Customizing Your Bitmoji Further
After you’ve created your initial avatar, you can continue to customize it at any time. Here’s how:
* **Open the Bitmoji App:** Launch the Bitmoji app on your phone.
* **Tap the “Avatar” Icon:** Look for an icon that represents your avatar (usually located at the bottom of the screen). Tap this icon to access the avatar editor.
* **Make Your Changes:** Use the same customization options as before to adjust your avatar’s features, clothing, and accessories. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try out different looks!
* **Save Your Changes:** Tap the “Save” button when you’re finished.
## Using Bitmoji on Snapchat
Bitmoji is deeply integrated with Snapchat, offering a variety of ways to use your avatar:
**1. Linking Your Bitmoji to Snapchat:**
If you signed up for Bitmoji using your Snapchat account, your Bitmoji is already linked. If not, you can link it manually:
* **Open Snapchat:** Launch the Snapchat app.
* **Tap Your Profile Icon:** Tap your profile icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
* **Tap the “Settings” Icon:** Tap the gear icon in the upper-right corner to access the settings menu.
* **Scroll Down to “Bitmoji”:** Find the “Bitmoji” option in the settings menu and tap it.
* **Tap “Link Bitmoji”:** If your Bitmoji isn’t already linked, you’ll see an option to “Link Bitmoji.” Tap this button to link your Bitmoji account to your Snapchat account.
**2. Using Bitmoji Stickers in Snaps:**
* **Take a Snap:** Take a photo or video snap as usual.
* **Tap the “Sticker” Icon:** Tap the sticker icon (usually a square with a folded corner) in the upper-right corner of the screen.
* **Select the Bitmoji Tab:** Look for the Bitmoji tab (usually represented by a Bitmoji icon). Tap this tab to view your Bitmoji stickers.
* **Choose a Sticker:** Scroll through the available stickers and tap the one you want to use. The sticker will be added to your snap.
* **Move and Resize the Sticker:** You can move the sticker around by dragging it with your finger. You can also resize the sticker by pinching or expanding it with two fingers.
* **Send Your Snap:** Send your snap to your friends as usual.
**3. Using Friendmojis:**
Friendmojis are Bitmoji stickers that feature you and your friends together. To use Friendmojis, you and your friend both need to have linked your Bitmojis to Snapchat.
* **Take a Snap:** Take a photo or video snap.
* **Tap the “Sticker” Icon:** Tap the sticker icon.
* **Select the Bitmoji Tab:** Tap the Bitmoji tab.
* **Look for Friendmojis:** If you and your friend have linked your Bitmojis, you’ll see a selection of Friendmojis featuring both of you. These stickers are often personalized based on your relationship with that friend.
* **Choose a Friendmoji:** Tap the Friendmoji you want to use.
* **Move and Resize the Sticker:** Move and resize the sticker as desired.
* **Send Your Snap:** Send your snap.
**4. Bitmoji Lenses:**
Snapchat also offers Bitmoji lenses, which are augmented reality effects that incorporate your Bitmoji into the scene. These lenses can be a fun way to interact with your surroundings and express yourself.
* **Open Snapchat:** Launch the Snapchat app.
* **Point Your Camera at a Surface:** Point your camera at a flat surface, such as a table or the floor.
* **Tap and Hold on the Screen:** Tap and hold on the screen until the lens menu appears at the bottom.
* **Scroll Through the Lenses:** Scroll through the available lenses until you find a Bitmoji lens.
* **Tap the Lens:** Tap the lens to activate it. Your Bitmoji will appear in the scene.
* **Interact with the Lens:** Some lenses allow you to interact with your Bitmoji in various ways. For example, you might be able to make your Bitmoji dance, perform tricks, or react to your facial expressions.
* **Take a Snap or Video:** Take a snap or video of your Bitmoji interacting with the lens.
* **Send Your Snap:** Send your snap.
**5. Bitmoji Stories:**
Snapchat also has Bitmoji stories, which are short, animated stories that feature your Bitmoji and your friends’ Bitmojis. These stories are a fun way to stay up-to-date on what your friends are doing and share your own experiences.
* **Open Snapchat:** Launch the Snapchat app.
* **Swipe Right to Access the Discover Page:** Swipe right on the screen to access the Discover page.
* **Scroll Down to Bitmoji Stories:** Scroll down until you find the Bitmoji Stories section.
* **Tap a Story to Watch It:** Tap a story to watch it. The story will play automatically.
## Using Bitmoji in Other Apps and Platforms
Bitmoji isn’t limited to Snapchat. You can use your Bitmoji in a variety of other apps and platforms, including:
**1. Gboard (Google Keyboard):**
Gboard, Google’s keyboard app, allows you to send Bitmoji stickers directly from your keyboard in any app that supports image pasting.
* **Install Gboard:** If you don’t already have Gboard installed, download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
* **Enable Gboard:** Go to your phone’s settings and enable Gboard as your default keyboard. The exact steps may vary depending on your phone model.
* **Open an App:** Open any app where you can type text, such as a messaging app or email app.
* **Tap the Emoji Icon:** Tap the emoji icon on the Gboard keyboard.
* **Select the Bitmoji Tab:** Look for the Bitmoji tab (usually represented by a Bitmoji icon) and tap it.
* **Choose a Sticker:** Scroll through the available stickers and tap the one you want to send. The sticker will be pasted into the text field.
* **Send Your Message:** Send your message as usual.
**2. Gmail:**
You can use Bitmoji in your Gmail emails using a browser extension.
* **Install the Bitmoji Chrome Extension:** Open the Chrome Web Store and search for “Bitmoji.” Install the official Bitmoji Chrome extension.
* **Log In to Your Bitmoji Account:** Click on the Bitmoji icon in your Chrome toolbar and log in to your Bitmoji account.
* **Compose an Email:** Open Gmail and compose a new email.
* **Click the Bitmoji Icon:** You should see a Bitmoji icon in the email composition toolbar. Click on it.
* **Choose a Sticker:** Scroll through the available stickers and click the one you want to insert into your email. The sticker will be added to your email.
* **Send Your Email:** Send your email.
**3. Slack:**
You can use Bitmoji in Slack to add personality to your workplace communication.
* **Install the Bitmoji App for Slack:** Go to the Slack App Directory and search for “Bitmoji.” Install the Bitmoji app for Slack.
* **Connect Your Bitmoji Account:** Follow the instructions to connect your Bitmoji account to your Slack account.
* **Use the `/bitmoji` Command:** In any Slack channel or direct message, type `/bitmoji` followed by a search term (e.g., `/bitmoji hello`). This will search for Bitmoji stickers related to your search term.
* **Select a Sticker:** Choose the sticker you want to send.
* **Send Your Message:** Send your message.
**4. Other Messaging Apps:**
Many other messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger, allow you to send Bitmoji stickers. The process is usually similar to using Bitmoji in Gboard: you access the Bitmoji stickers through the keyboard or a dedicated sticker menu.
**5. Social Media Profiles:**
You can use your Bitmoji as your profile picture on various social media platforms. Simply save your Bitmoji avatar to your phone or computer and then upload it as your profile picture.
## Tips and Tricks for Using Bitmoji
* **Keep Your Bitmoji Up-to-Date:** Update your Bitmoji regularly to reflect your current hairstyle, clothing, and accessories. This will help keep your digital persona consistent with your real-life appearance.
* **Use Relevant Stickers:** Choose stickers that are relevant to the conversation or situation. A well-chosen sticker can add humor, emphasis, or emotion to your message.
* **Don’t Overuse Bitmoji:** While Bitmoji can be fun, it’s important not to overuse them. Using too many stickers can be distracting and annoying.
* **Explore Different Styles:** Experiment with different Bitmoji styles and customization options to find the look that best represents you. Bitmoji Deluxe and the newer art styles offer a wider range of options than the classic Bitmoji style.
* **Create Custom Stickers:** Some apps and platforms allow you to create custom Bitmoji stickers. This can be a fun way to express yourself in a unique way.
* **Be Mindful of Your Audience:** Consider your audience when using Bitmoji. What might be appropriate for a casual conversation with friends might not be appropriate for a professional email.
## Troubleshooting Common Bitmoji Issues
* **Bitmoji App Not Working:** If the Bitmoji app is not working properly, try restarting your phone, clearing the app’s cache, or reinstalling the app.
* **Bitmoji Not Appearing in Gboard:** Make sure that Gboard is enabled as your default keyboard and that the Bitmoji sticker pack is enabled in Gboard’s settings.
* **Bitmoji Not Syncing with Snapchat:** Make sure that your Bitmoji account is linked to your Snapchat account. You may need to unlink and relink your accounts to resolve the issue.
* **Bitmoji Stickers Not Showing Up:** Ensure you have the latest version of the Bitmoji app installed. Sometimes, older versions may have compatibility issues.
* **Difficulty Customizing Avatar:** If you are having trouble customizing your avatar, try clearing the app’s cache or restarting the app. Make sure your internet connection is stable.
## The Future of Bitmoji
Bitmoji continues to evolve with new features and integrations. As technology advances, we can expect to see even more innovative ways to use Bitmoji in the future. Some potential developments include:
* **More Realistic Avatars:** Bitmoji may become even more realistic, with more detailed features and more accurate representations of real-life appearances.
* **Integration with Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR):** Bitmoji could be used as avatars in VR and AR environments, allowing users to interact with each other in a more immersive way.
* **Personalized Content:** Bitmoji could be used to personalize content across various platforms, such as news articles, advertisements, and educational materials.
* **Enhanced Expressiveness:** Bitmoji could become even more expressive, with more nuanced animations and the ability to convey a wider range of emotions.
## Conclusion
Bitmoji is a fun and versatile tool that allows you to express yourself in the digital world. Whether you’re using it to send stickers in messaging apps, create custom avatars for social media profiles, or personalize your emails, Bitmoji can help you add a touch of personality to your online interactions. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create, customize, and use your Bitmoji effectively across a variety of platforms. So, go ahead and unleash your digital persona – the possibilities are endless!