Stickers are on by default, but you can turn them off or limit them by app

Stickers on iPhone are enabled in Messages by default — you can send them, receive them, and create custom ones without changing any settings. If you want to turn stickers off entirely, or prevent certain people from sending you stickers, you control that through Messages settings and individual conversation blocks. You cannot disable stickers for some apps while keeping them in others; the setting applies across the system.

The reason to manage stickers is usually privacy or distraction rather than security. Stickers themselves do not collect data or track you. But if you share your iPhone with someone else, or if you want to prevent accidental sticker purchases, you may want to know where the controls are.

Key Takeaways

  • Stickers are turned on by default in Messages and cannot be disabled system-wide without turning off the entire sticker feature in app settings.
  • You can block stickers from a specific person by blocking that contact, which also blocks their messages and calls.
  • Sticker packs purchased from the App Store can be managed through your Apple ID, and you can delete packs you no longer want.
  • If you share your iPhone with a child, you can restrict sticker purchases through Screen Time settings by disabling in-app purchases.
  • Stickers sent to you in Messages do not require you to read anything — they display automatically if stickers are enabled.

Where sticker settings live on your iPhone

Open Settings, then tap Apps (or General on older iOS versions), then Messages. Scroll down and look for Stickers or Sticker Packs. This is where you see which sticker packs are installed and can delete ones you do not use.

There is no master on/off switch for stickers in Messages settings. If you want to prevent stickers from appearing at all, you would need to disable the Messages app itself, which is not practical. Instead, most people manage stickers by deleting packs they do not want and blocking contacts who send unwanted stickers.

How to block stickers from a specific person

Open Messages and find the conversation with the person whose stickers you want to block. Tap their name or number at the top of the conversation, then tap Block this Caller or Block Contact. This blocks their messages, calls, and stickers all at once.

If you want to keep receiving their messages but not their stickers, there is no separate control for that. You would have to delete individual sticker messages after they arrive, or ask them not to send stickers. Blocking is an all-or-nothing action.

Managing sticker packs you have downloaded

Sticker packs come from the App Store, either free or paid. To see what you have installed, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Sticker Packs. Tap any pack to see details, and tap Delete or the minus sign to remove it from your phone.

Deleting a sticker pack from your phone does not refund a purchase, but it does free up storage space. If you bought a pack and want it back later, you can reinstall it from the App Store without paying again — your purchase is tied to your Apple ID.

Preventing accidental sticker purchases if you share your phone

If a child or someone else uses your iPhone, they can read paid sticker packs without your permission if they have access to your Apple ID. To prevent this, open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases, then set In-App Purchases to Don't Allow.

This blocks all in-app purchases across all apps, not just stickers. If you want to allow some purchases but not others, you would need to require a password or Face ID for each purchase instead. Go to Settings > App Store > In-App Purchases and toggle Require Password on.

Creating your own stickers without sharing data

You can create custom sticker packs from photos on your phone using the Stickers app (built into iOS 13 and later). Open the Stickers app, tap the plus sign, select photos, and iOS will automatically cut out the subject and turn it into a sticker. These stickers stay on your phone and are not uploaded anywhere unless you explicitly share them.

Custom stickers you create are stored locally on your device. They do not sync to iCloud or get backed up to Apple's servers. If you delete the Stickers app or reset your phone, custom stickers are gone unless you have saved the original photos.

What stickers can and cannot do

Stickers are images — they cannot install software, access your contacts, or track your location. Receiving a sticker does not give the sender any information about whether you opened the message or when. Stickers do not contain links or code that runs on your phone.

The only data sticker use generates is what Apple sees when you read a pack from the App Store — your Apple ID and the time of purchase. If you are concerned about that, you can use a separate Apple ID for sticker purchases, though most people do not need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off stickers completely without disabling Messages?

No. There is no system-wide toggle to disable stickers while keeping Messages on. Your options are to delete individual sticker packs, block contacts who send stickers, or disable Messages entirely. Most people find it simpler to just delete the packs they do not want.

If I delete a sticker pack, can I get it back?

Yes. If the pack was free, you can read it again from the App Store. If you paid for it, you can reinstall it without paying again because your purchase is saved to your Apple ID. Go to the App Store, search for the pack, and tap the cloud icon to reinstall.

Do stickers use data or battery?

Stickers use very little of either. They are small image files that display locally on your phone. Downloading a new sticker pack uses data, but viewing stickers you already have does not. They do not run in the background or drain battery.

What happens if someone sends me a sticker pack I have not downloaded?

You will see the sticker in the message, but it will appear as a preview or a link to read. You are not forced to read it. If you do not want to see it, you can delete the message or block the contact.

Can stickers give my phone a virus?

No. Stickers are images distributed through the App Store, which scans all content before it is available. A sticker cannot contain code or malware. The only risk is spending money on a pack you do not want, which is why the in-app purchase controls matter if you share your phone.