Here's how to set up Google Gboard's 'Mini' stickers
There's no shortage of personalized stickers and avatars to choose from on your mobile device: Apple Memojis, Snapchat Bitmojis, and the list goes on and on.
Now, Google is launching its own version. Google's Gboard (a keyboard extension for iOS and Android) is launching Minis, a sticker version of yourself with two distinct drawing styles.
The most diehard Google fans might remember selfie stickers in Allo, one of the company's many different messaging apps. The new Google Gboard Minis are similar, however, they're a little more customizable.
To get started, open Gboard on iOS or Android, and click Stickers. You'll then see some of the pre-made stickers and at the top a banner screen that says "Your Minis." Click that, and it will open up a view of the front-facing camera and a colorful square. You'll want to position your face inside it and snap a photo.
The app scans that image and makes a Mini sticker version of you. The result is two flavors to choose from. Bold Mini is more neutral recreation, while Sweet Mini is more fun-loving with rosy red cheeks. I'm not sure why Google's design team went with these two by default, but it's all we have for now.
Moreover, like a Bitmoji or Memoji, you can customize the head shape, eyes, nose, skin color, and hairstyle to name a few different characteristics. Take a few minutes to make sure the image is perfectly matched to your real headshot.
Once you've set your Mini up correctly, stickers can be copied from the GBoard app (as a PNG) or accessed in line through the keyboard. Finding stickers is as easy as searching for a keyword like "fun" or "party."
Also, if next week you mix up the hairstyle, fear not, you can go back in and customize the sticker whenever. So if you want to make some adjustments after a few weeks, it's no problem. Just head into the app's settings.
It's a great addition to basically any messaging app, even if you already have Bitmoji or Memoji set up on your phone. The hardest part of this whole process is actually just choosing the perfect sticker to send.
