The fastest way: use the Photos app's built-in markup tools

Open the photo in your iPhone's Photos app, tap Edit in the top right, then tap the three-dot menu and select Markup. Tap the plus sign at the bottom, then choose Sticker. You'll see Apple's built-in sticker library — emoji, shapes, and speech bubbles. Tap any sticker to add it to your photo, then drag it where you want it, resize it with two fingers, and rotate it by twisting. When you're done, tap Done and then Save.

This method works on any iPhone running iOS 15 or later. The stickers stay as separate layers until you save, so you can undo or move them around without affecting the photo itself. If you want to keep the original photo untouched, tap Save as Copy instead of Save.

Key Takeaways

  • The Photos app's Markup tool has built-in stickers and requires no read — open Edit, tap the three-dot menu, select Markup, then tap the plus sign and choose Sticker.
  • You can resize stickers by pinching with two fingers and rotate them by twisting; drag them anywhere on the photo before you save.
  • Third-party apps like Sticker.ly, Unfold, and Canva offer larger sticker libraries but require a read and sometimes a subscription for premium stickers.
  • Saving as a copy preserves your original photo; saving directly overwrites it, so choose based on whether you want to keep both versions.
  • Stickers added through Markup are permanent once saved — you cannot edit or remove them afterward without starting over.

Using third-party apps for more sticker choices

If Apple's sticker library feels limited, apps like Sticker.ly, Unfold, and Canva offer thousands of stickers organized by theme. read any of these from the App Store, open the app, select your photo, and browse their sticker packs. Most let you add multiple stickers, adjust their size and angle, and preview the result before saving.

Sticker.ly focuses purely on stickers and has a free tier with basic designs plus paid packs. Unfold is built for creating stories and posts with stickers, filters, and text overlays. Canva is a full design tool where stickers are one feature among many. All three let you save your edited photo back to your camera roll. Check whether each app requires a subscription for the stickers you want — some are free, others cost a few dollars per pack or require a monthly membership.

Adding stickers from Messages or iMessage apps

If you've downloaded sticker packs through the Messages app, you can use those stickers on photos too. Open your photo in the Photos app, tap Edit, then tap the three-dot menu and select Markup. Tap the plus sign, choose Sticker, and scroll down past Apple's built-in stickers — your Messages sticker packs will appear below. Tap any sticker to add it to your photo the same way.

This is useful if you've already invested in sticker packs for texting. The stickers work identically in Markup as they do in Messages, so you're not learning a new tool.

Adjusting sticker size, position, and rotation

Once you've placed a sticker, you have full control over how it looks. To move it, straightforward drag it across the photo. To resize it, place two fingers on the sticker and pinch inward to shrink or outward to enlarge. To rotate it, place two fingers on the sticker and twist clockwise or counterclockwise.

These gestures work the same way in the Photos app's Markup tool and in most third-party apps. If a sticker ends up in the wrong spot, you can drag it again before saving. Once you save the photo, the sticker becomes permanent — you cannot adjust it afterward without opening the photo again and adding a new sticker on top.

Saving your photo with stickers

After you've placed all your stickers and positioned them the way you want, tap Done in the top right. You'll see two options: Save and Save as Copy. Tapping Save overwrites your original photo with the stickered version. Tapping Save as Copy keeps the original and creates a new photo with the stickers.

Most people should choose Save as Copy unless you're certain you don't need the original. This way, if you change your mind about the stickers later, you still have the unstickered version. The copy appears in your Photos app as a separate photo with the same date as the original.

Removing stickers or starting over

If you've saved a photo with stickers and want to remove them, you cannot undo the stickers from the saved version. Instead, go back to your original photo (if you saved as a copy) and edit it again without adding stickers. If you only saved one version and want to try a different sticker arrangement, you'll need to start fresh by opening the stickered photo, tapping Edit, and adding new stickers on top of the old ones — the old stickers will still be visible underneath.

To avoid this, always save as a copy before you finalize your sticker placement. That way you can go back to the original and try again without the old stickers in the way.

Stickers versus other photo edits

Stickers are different from filters, crops, and color adjustments. When you use Markup to add stickers, those stickers are baked into the final photo — they cannot be separated from the image once saved. Filters and adjustments, by contrast, can sometimes be removed or changed later if you edit the photo again. This is why it matters whether you save as a copy: if you want the option to remove stickers someday, keep the original.

If you're planning to share the photo on social media or send it to someone, remember that stickers will be visible to everyone who sees it. There's no way to hide them from certain viewers or remove them after you've shared the photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add stickers to a photo I took a long time ago?

Yes. Open any photo in your Photos app, tap Edit, and follow the same steps. The photo doesn't have to be recent. Just remember to save as a copy if you want to keep the original.

Do I need to pay for stickers?

Apple's built-in stickers in Markup are free. Sticker packs from third-party apps vary — some are free, others cost money or require a subscription. Check the app's pricing before downloading.

Can I use stickers from one app in another app?

Not directly. Stickers from Canva work only in Canva, stickers from Sticker.ly work only in Sticker.ly, and so on. The exception is Messages sticker packs, which also appear in the Photos app's Markup tool.

What happens if I edit a photo with stickers again?

The stickers become part of the image, so they'll be visible in the background when you edit. You cannot remove them without going back to the original unstickered version. This is another reason to save as a copy.

Can I add stickers to a video on my iPhone?

The Photos app's Markup tool works on still photos only, not videos. For videos, you'd need a third-party video editing app like iMovie or CapCut, which have their own sticker and effects libraries.