If you use Instagram you’ve probably noticed that some people you follow now have digital avatars of themselves which they are using in stories and in stickers. This is a brand new feature of Instagram that ties in with Facebook’s Metaverse concept and allows you to create your own digital avatar that will be the backbone of the new Metaverse.

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Digital avatars have been around for ages with the concept going way back to Microsoft’s early Xbox Live system on Xbox 360. This system gave users the ability to create personalised avatars to represent their profiles and them in some games. Since then the concept has grown with Facebook now implementing their own version of avatars on Instagram as part of their transition to the Metaverse.

For now, Instagram avatars are relatively limited, only being available in Instagram Stories and Instagram Sticks. But that will change pretty quickly as Facebook pours time, effort and money into the Metaverse. If you’ve got no idea what exactly an avatar is, it’s supposed to be a visual and virtual representation of yourself, though you can essentially make it look however you like. There aren’t any restrictions on what you can create.

Once you have created an avatar in Instagram you will be able to create personalized Stickers using it and attach it to stories and direct messages. Though there are certainly plenty of other options and uses coming in the near future.

How do you create an Avatar on Instagram (Android & iPhone)

  • To begin, open the Instagram app and go to your Profile.
  • Now, tap the three horizontal lines icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  • In the menu that appears, click Settings, then Account.
  • Here you will see the Avatar option among the list of options. Tap it to start the process.

How to make an avatar on instagram

  • If this is the first time you have created an Avatar on Instagram, you will be shown a guide that you have to tap past.
  • You will now find yourself in the Avatar editor. Here, you'll be able to create a character that may or may not look like you. You can customize it with great detail, such as facial features, accessories, skin colour, clothing, complexion, etc.
  • When your Avatar is ready, you tap Save/Close in the upper right corner and confirm the save to save your new Instagram Avatar.

where to use instagram avatars

How do you use Avatars in Instagram as stickers in Stories and direct messages?

  • First, open the Instagram app and stay on the Start/Feed screen.
  • Next swipe the left side of the screen to the right.
  • Once you have accessed the Stories creation screen, proceed to create a story.
  • Now tap on the icon to access the Stickers.
  • Simply find and tap the Avatar icon and this will automatically give you access to the collection of stickers created for your Avatar. Here you just have to tap the one you want to use in your Instagram Story.
  • When your Sticker-shaped avatar is displayed in the Instagram story, you can resize it and/or change its location.
  • Finally, continue with the process of publishing your Instagram story and you are done.

As we mentioned at the very start of this guide, there isn’t a lot else you can do with Instagram avatars at the moment, however, there are certainly going to be a lot of new features coming eventually.