Where to find stickers on your iPhone
Stickers on iPhone live in the Messages app, the Mail app, and in any app that supports them — you access them through a button that looks like a smiley face or a star, depending on which app you're using. In Messages, tap the app icon grid (four dots in a square) at the bottom left of the keyboard, then tap the sticker icon. In Mail, tap the compose window, then look for the sticker icon in the formatting toolbar. Third-party apps like Notes, Reminders, or social media apps may have their own sticker buttons in different locations.
Your iPhone comes with built-in stickers already installed. You can also read more stickers from the App Store, and many apps include their own sticker packs that appear automatically once you install them. Stickers are different from emoji — they're images you can resize, rotate, and layer on top of photos or messages, while emoji are single characters that stay the same size.
Key Takeaways
- Stickers appear through a smiley-face or star icon in Messages, Mail, and compatible apps — the exact location depends on which app you're using.
- Your iPhone includes built-in stickers, and you can read additional sticker packs from the App Store at no cost or for a price.
- You can resize, rotate, and layer stickers on photos and messages, which makes them different from emoji.
- Stickers you read stay on your device until you remove them, and they sync across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac if you use the same Apple ID.
How to use stickers in Messages
Open Messages and start a conversation or select an existing one. Tap the app icon grid at the bottom left of the keyboard — it's four dots arranged in a square. Tap the sticker icon (usually a smiley face or star), and a panel of sticker packs appears. Tap any sticker to add it to your message. You can add multiple stickers to the same message, and they'll appear in the text area where you can move them around before you send.
To resize a sticker, use two fingers to pinch it smaller or spread them apart to make it larger. To rotate it, use two fingers in a twisting motion. To remove a sticker before sending, tap it once to select it, then press delete or backspace. If you want to send a sticker by itself without text, just tap the sticker and hit send — it will appear as a full-screen effect if the recipient also has iOS 17 or later.
How to use stickers in Mail and other apps
In Mail, open a new message or reply and tap in the compose area. Look for the sticker icon in the toolbar above the keyboard — it usually appears next to the formatting options. Tap it to open your sticker library. Select a sticker and it will be inserted into your email. You can add multiple stickers and resize or rotate them the same way you do in Messages.
Other apps that support stickers include Notes, Reminders, Photos, and many third-party social media and messaging apps. The sticker button location varies — check the formatting toolbar or look for a smiley-face icon. If an app doesn't show a sticker button, it doesn't support stickers yet. Some apps let you add stickers directly to photos before sharing them, while others only let you add stickers to text.
How to read and manage sticker packs
Open the App Store and search for "stickers" or browse the Stickers category. You'll see sticker packs listed with previews of what they look like. Tap "Get" to read a free pack, or tap the price to purchase one. Once downloaded, the sticker pack appears in your sticker library automatically. You don't need to do anything else — it's ready to use in Messages, Mail, and compatible apps right away.
To remove a sticker pack you no longer want, open your sticker library in Messages (tap the app grid, then the sticker icon), find the pack, and swipe left on it. Tap the trash icon or "Remove" button. The sticker pack will be deleted from your device, but you can read it again anytime from the App Store. Your sticker library is tied to your Apple ID, so if you sign into a different iPhone or iPad with the same Apple ID, your downloaded sticker packs will appear there too.
Stickers from apps you already have
Many apps you read — like social media apps, games, or messaging services — include their own sticker packs. When you install the app, its stickers often appear in your sticker library automatically without any extra steps. Check the app's settings or help section if you don't see them right away; some apps require you to enable stickers in their settings first.
If an app includes stickers but they're not showing up, try closing and reopening Messages or Mail, or restart your iPhone. Sometimes stickers take a moment to sync. If they still don't appear, uninstall the app and reinstall it from the App Store. Stickers from apps are managed the same way as sticker packs you read separately — swipe left in your sticker library to remove them.
Troubleshooting stickers that aren't working
If the sticker icon doesn't appear in Messages or Mail, make sure you're running the latest version of iOS. Go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update, and install any available updates. Sticker support requires iOS 13 or later for Messages and iOS 15 or later for Mail. If you're on an older version, you won't see the sticker button.
If stickers appear but won't load, try force-closing the app. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top right on newer iPhones) to open the app switcher, find Messages or Mail, and swipe up on it to close it. Then open the app again. If a specific sticker pack won't load, remove it from your library and read it again. If stickers still don't work after these steps, restart your iPhone by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turning it back on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my own stickers on iPhone?
You can't create stickers from scratch on iPhone using the built-in tools, but you can use third-party apps like Sticker Maker Studio or Unfolder to turn photos or artwork into sticker packs. These apps let you upload images, crop them, and create a sticker pack that appears in your sticker library. Once created, you can use them in Messages and other apps just like downloaded stickers.
Do stickers use data or storage?
Sticker packs take up a small amount of storage on your device — usually a few megabytes per pack. They don't use data when you send them because they're stored locally on your phone. Once downloaded, stickers work offline. If you're running low on storage, removing sticker packs you don't use regularly can free up space.
Why do stickers look different on my friend's phone?
Stickers may render slightly differently depending on the iOS version and device model, but they should look mostly the same. If a sticker pack looks significantly different, your friend may have a different version of the pack installed, or they might be using an older iOS version. Make sure both phones are updated to the latest iOS for the most consistent appearance.
Can I send stickers to Android users?
When you send a sticker to an Android user through Messages, it converts to an image file and appears as a photo in their message thread. They'll see the sticker, but it won't have the interactive effects that iPhone users see. The sticker will look like a regular picture on their end.