Where Apple Stickers Live and Why You Might Want to Remove Them
Apple Stickers are digital images that come pre-installed on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. They appear in the Messages app, Mail, Notes, and other places where you can add images to what you're writing. Apple adds new sticker packs with each operating system update, and they take up storage space on your device — usually between 50 and 200 megabytes per pack, depending on the collection.
You might want to delete them because you never use them, because you prefer your own custom stickers, or straightforward to free up storage. Unlike apps, stickers cannot be uninstalled through Settings. Instead, you remove them by finding the actual files on your device and deleting them directly.
The process differs slightly between iPhone and iPad (which use iOS) and Mac (which uses macOS). Both are straightforward once you know where the files are stored.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Stickers are stored as files in a hidden folder on your device that you cannot access through the normal Settings app.
- On iPhone and iPad, you must use the Files app to navigate to the sticker folder and delete individual packs.
- On Mac, you can delete stickers through Finder by navigating to the Library folder, which is hidden by default.
- Deleting stickers frees up storage space but does not affect any other apps or functions on your device.
- If you delete a sticker pack by mistake, you can reinstall it by updating your operating system or downloading it again from Apple.
Deleting Stickers on iPhone and iPad Using the Files App
On iPhone and iPad, stickers are stored in a folder that the Files app can reach. Open the Files app (the folder icon on your home screen). Tap the three dots in the top right corner, then tap "Edit" to show hidden files. This reveals folders that Apple normally hides from view.
Navigate to On My iPhone (or On My iPad) at the top of the screen. Tap the folder icon next to it, then open Library. Inside Library, open Stickers. You will see folders for each sticker pack installed on your device — they are usually named after the collection, such as "Memoji Stickers" or "Emoji Stickers."
Long-press the sticker pack you want to delete, then tap the trash icon or select "Delete" from the menu. Confirm the deletion. The sticker pack is now removed from your device and will no longer appear in Messages, Mail, or other apps. Repeat this step for any other packs you want to remove.
Deleting Stickers on Mac Using Finder
On Mac, stickers live in the Library folder, which is hidden by default. Open Finder and click Finder in the menu bar at the top. Select Settings, then click the Advanced tab. Check the box next to "Show hidden files and folders," then close the window.
Open Finder again and click Go in the menu bar. Select Home to navigate to your user folder. Open the Library folder (now visible because you enabled hidden files). Inside Library, open Stickers. You will see folders for each sticker pack on your Mac.
Right-click the sticker pack you want to delete and select Move to Trash. Empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in the Dock and selecting Empty Trash. The sticker pack is now permanently removed. If you want to hide hidden files again, return to Finder Settings and uncheck the box you enabled earlier.
How Much Storage Space Stickers Actually Use
A single Apple sticker pack typically uses between 2 and 10 megabytes of storage. If you have many packs installed — which is common if you have owned your device for several years and received new stickers with each update — the total can reach 100 to 300 megabytes. On devices with limited storage (like a 64GB iPhone), this is worth recovering. On devices with plenty of space (like a 256GB model), the difference is barely noticeable.
To see how much storage your device is using overall, go to Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). This screen shows you which apps and files are consuming the most space. Stickers usually appear as part of the system storage rather than as a separate line item, so deleting them will show as a small increase in available space.
Reinstalling Stickers If You Delete Them by Mistake
If you delete a sticker pack and later change your mind, you have two options. The first is to update your operating system. When Apple releases a new version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, it often reinstalls default sticker packs that were removed. Go to Settings (or System Settings on Mac), select General, then Software Update, and install any available update.
The second option is to read the sticker pack again manually. On iPhone and iPad, open the App Store, search for "Apple Stickers," and look for the official Apple sticker packs. On Mac, the stickers are part of the system and cannot be downloaded separately — reinstalling the operating system is the only way to restore them. Neither option requires payment; Apple stickers are always free.
Why Stickers Accumulate Over Time
Every time Apple releases a new version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, it often includes new sticker packs. Your device downloads and installs these automatically as part of the system update. Over several years, this means you accumulate dozens of packs you may never use. Unlike apps, which you can choose to install or not, stickers arrive whether you want them or not.
Some sticker packs are tied to specific features — Memoji stickers, for example, are linked to the Memoji app. Deleting these packs does not affect the app itself; you can still create and use Memoji in FaceTime or Messages. Other packs, like Emoji stickers, are purely decorative and have no function beyond appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting stickers affect my Messages or Mail app?
No. Deleting sticker packs only removes them from the selection menu. Any messages you have already sent that included stickers will still display those stickers. The recipient will see them normally. You straightforward will not be able to insert new stickers from that pack into future messages.
Can I delete some stickers from a pack but keep others?
No. Stickers are organized by pack, and you can only delete or keep an entire pack at once. You cannot pick individual stickers within a pack to remove. If you want to use only certain stickers, you will need to keep the entire pack installed.
Do I need to restart my device after deleting stickers?
No restart is necessary. The stickers disappear from your device when ready after you delete them. You can open Messages or Mail right away and the deleted packs will no longer appear in the sticker selection menu.
What happens if I delete stickers and then update my operating system?
When you update your operating system, Apple may reinstall default sticker packs that were removed in previous versions. This is normal behavior. If you do not want them, you can delete them again using the same process.
Are there sticker packs that I should not delete?
No. All Apple sticker packs are optional and safe to delete. Even packs tied to features like Memoji do not affect the underlying app or feature if you remove them. You can delete any pack without breaking anything on your device.