Having a personalized avatar to represent yourself online has become very popular in recent years. Bitmoji avatars, in particular, have emerged as a fun way to express your personality on social media, messaging apps, and more. But Bitmojis originated on Snapchat, which raises the question – can you create a Bitmoji without having a Snapchat account?
What are Bitmojis?
Bitmoji are personalized cartoon avatars that users can create to represent themselves. Bitmojis are highly customizable, with tons of appearance options for hair, facial features, skin tone, outfits, and accessories. Users can make a Bitmoji look just like them or create more of an idealized, silly, or fantasy version of themselves.
After creating their Bitmoji, users can then access their avatar on mobile keyboards and use them in messaging apps, in social media posts, in emails, and anywhere else they can insert an image. Bitmojis became hugely popular after Snapchat acquired Bitmoji in 2016 and integrated the feature into their app. This allowed Snapchat users to easily use their personalized avatar in Snaps and on their profile.
The History of Bitmoji
Bitmoji was created by Bitstrips, a Toronto-based startup founded in 2007 by Jacob Blackstock and Shahan Panth. They initially focused on an app called Bitstrips that allowed users to make comic strips using personalized avatars. The Bitstrips comics app launched in 2008 and gained some popularity, with over 20 million users at one point.
In 2013, Bitstrips launched a spinoff app called Bitmoji, which focused specifically on creating personalized avatars. Bitmoji saw rapid growth, and in 2016, Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. acquired Bitmoji for an estimated $64.2 million. This provided a huge boost in exposure and usage for Bitmoji.
Snapchat integrated Bitmoji deeply into their app. Snapchat users could now create customized Bitmoji avatars from directly within Snapchat and use their Bitmoji on their Snapchat profile, in their stories, and in chat. By 2017, Bitmoji was the most downloaded iOS app in America and had over 16 million monthly active users worldwide. Bitmoji has continued to thrive under Snapchat’s ownership.
Key Benefits of Using Bitmoji
There are several reasons why Bitmoji has become so enormously popular over the last several years:
- Highly customizable – Users have tons of options to get their Bitmoji looking just the way they want.
- Visual self-expression – Bitmojis provide a fun, visual way to express your personality.
- Wide compatibility – Bitmoji can be used almost anywhere images can be inserted.
- Snapchat integration – Deep integration with Snapchat gave Bitmoji a huge built-in user base.
- Entertaining – Bitmojis are lighthearted, quirky, and often hilarious.
Creating a Bitmoji through Snapchat
For existing Snapchat users, creating a Bitmoji via Snapchat is simple:
- Open your Snapchat app and go to your profile page.
- Tap the Bitmoji icon at the top left corner of your profile screen.
- On the Get Started page, tap Create My Bitmoji.
- This will launch the Bitmoji kit to customize your avatar. Spend time personalizing your Bitmoji.
- After creating your avatar, name it then tap Save to store your creation.
- Back in Snapchat, Bitmoji will now be enabled and ready to use throughout the app.
Creating a Bitmoji through Snapchat allows seamless use within Snapchat. Your Bitmoji through Snapchat will also be available anywhere else Bitmoji can be used. However, using Snapchat is not required to create and use Bitmoji.
How to Make a Bitmoji without Snapchat
Luckily, since Snapchat does not have exclusive rights to Bitmoji, there are a couple of methods to create a Bitmoji avatar without using Snapchat:
Method 1: Bitmoji Mobile App
The main Bitmoji mobile app offers the full avatar creation process and access to your Bitmojis. Here’s how:
- Download the Bitmoji app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- After installing, open the Bitmoji app and tap Get Started.
- Tap Create Bitmoji to begin making your customized avatar.
- Spend time personalizing your avatar with all the options available.
- Name your Bitmoji when finished.
- Tap Save to store your creation.
- You can now access your Bitmoji to use wherever Bitmoji are supported.
Method 2: Bitmoji Website
You can also create a Bitmoji, without any app, through the Bitmoji website:
- Go to www.bitmoji.com and click Sign Up.
- Enter your email and choose a password to create your account.
- On the next screen, click Create Your Bitmoji.
- Spend time customizing your avatar’s appearance.
- Name your Bitmoji when finished and click Save.
- Your finished Bitmoji can be accessed from the website or synced to your keyboard/apps.
Bitmojis created on the website have the same capabilities as Bitmojis created through Snapchat or the mobile app. You can link your Bitmoji website account to Snapchat later if desired.
Accessing Your Bitmoji After Creation
Once you’ve created your personalized Bitmoji avatar through either Snapchat, the Bitmoji mobile app, or the Bitmoji website, there are a few ways to access and use your Bitmoji:
- Mobile keyboard extension – Add a Bitmoji keyboard extension to your iOS or Android keyboard. This allows you to easily insert your Bitmoji into messaging apps.
- Bitmoji app – The standalone Bitmoji app gives you access to your full Bitmoji collection and profile.
- Bitmoji.com – Log into the Bitmoji website to manage your Bitmojis.
- Snapchat – If created through Snapchat, your Bitmoji will show up automatically in Snapchat.
- Gboard app – Google’s Gboard keyboard for Android includes built-in Bitmoji support.
Essentially, once made, your personalized Bitmoji can go wherever you go. You’ll always have your unique avatar on hand to spice up any conversation or social media post.
Bitmoji Capabilities and Uses
Some of the core capabilities and uses of Bitmoji include:
- Profile avatar on Snapchat, social media, messaging apps
- Visualizing moods, reactions, and activities
- Adding fun and personalization to conversations
- Expressing feelings and personality
- Digital stickers for messaging and email
- Custom comic scenes with your avatar
- Gamification through collecting and achievements
- Branded content and advertising
Bitmoji are meant for fun and entertainment. Their versatility allows endless possibilities for bringing your avatar into everyday situations.
Conclusion
In summary, Bitmoji avatars originate from Snapchat, but creating and using Bitmoji does not require having a Snapchat account. The standalone Bitmoji app and Bitmoji website both offer full avatar creation and access. So feel free to make a personalized Bitmoji to use anywhere you like, regardless of whether you use Snapchat or not!