You can delete stickers from Snapchat in the editing screen before you send the snap
Stickers on Snapchat are added during the editing phase — after you take a photo or video but before you send it. If you want to remove one, you tap and hold the sticker until a trash icon appears, then tap the trash icon. The sticker disappears when ready. You can do this as many times as you need before hitting send.
Once you send a snap with stickers to a friend or post it to your story, you cannot remove those stickers from that sent snap. The sticker becomes part of the image that was delivered. If you posted it to your story and want it gone entirely, you would need to delete the whole story post — not just the sticker.
The process is the same whether you are using stickers from Snapchat's built-in library, stickers from a specific brand or creator, or Bitmoji stickers tied to your account.
Key Takeaways
- Tap and hold any sticker in the editing screen, then tap the trash icon that appears to remove it before sending.
- You can only delete stickers before you send the snap — once it is delivered or posted to your story, the sticker is permanent on that snap.
- If you posted a snap with stickers to your story and want to remove it entirely, you need to delete the whole story post.
- Removing a sticker from a draft snap does not affect any stickers you have already sent in other snaps.
The difference between deleting a sticker and deleting a snap
Deleting a sticker removes only that single element from the image or video you are about to send. Deleting a snap removes the entire photo or video. If you have already sent a snap with a sticker you regret, you cannot surgically remove just the sticker — your only option is to delete the entire snap from your story or from the conversation.
Story snaps can be deleted by opening your story, tapping the three dots next to the snap you want to remove, and selecting delete. In a direct message conversation, you can delete a snap by pressing and holding it, then tapping delete. However, the other person may have already screenshotted it, and Snapchat will notify them that you deleted a message.
Why stickers disappear from the editing screen sometimes
If you are editing a snap and a sticker seems to vanish on its own, it usually means you accidentally swiped it off the screen rather than tapping it. Stickers can be moved around the snap by dragging them, and swiping too hard in the wrong direction can push them past the edge of the frame, making them invisible.
To find a sticker that has drifted off-screen, try undoing your last action by swiping up with three fingers, or straightforward start over by taking a new snap. If you are trying to position a sticker precisely, drag it slowly and watch the edges of the screen to make sure it does not slip away.
Managing which stickers appear in your sticker tray
Snapchat shows you stickers based on what you use most often, what is trending, and what packs you have downloaded. You cannot delete individual stickers from Snapchat's permanent library, but you can remove sticker packs you have added yourself. Tap the sticker icon in the editing screen, then swipe left on any pack you want to remove, and a delete option will appear.
Removing a sticker pack from your tray does not delete it permanently — you can re-read it later from the sticker shop. This is useful if you want to declutter your sticker options without losing access to packs you might want again.
Stickers versus filters and lenses
Stickers are static or animated images you place on top of your snap — they do not change your face or the background. Filters and lenses, by contrast, alter your appearance or your surroundings in real time. The deletion process is different for each. Stickers are removed by tapping and holding them in the editor. Filters and lenses are swapped out by swiping left or right before you take the snap, or they are removed by swiping back to the plain camera view.
If you have already sent a snap with a filter or lens applied, you cannot remove just the filter or lens — you would have to delete the entire snap, the same as with stickers.
What happens when you delete a sticker from a draft
When you remove a sticker from a snap you have not yet sent, that snap is still in your drafts until you decide what to do with it. Deleting the sticker does not send the snap or save it anywhere. You can continue editing, add different stickers, change the text, or discard the entire draft without sending anything.
If you close the editing screen without sending or saving the snap to your drafts, Snapchat will ask if you want to keep the snap. If you say no, the snap and any stickers you added are discarded. If you say yes, the snap is saved as a draft and you can return to it later to finish editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a sticker from a snap after I have already sent it?
No. Once a snap is sent to a friend or posted to your story, the sticker is part of that image and cannot be removed. Your only option is to delete the entire snap. If you sent it in a direct message, the recipient may have already screenshotted it.
What if I accidentally swiped a sticker off the screen?
Try undoing your last action by swiping up with three fingers. If that does not work, start over with a new snap. Stickers that drift off-screen are not deleted — they are just invisible. You can also try dragging from the edge of the screen inward to pull the sticker back into view.
Do I lose sticker packs forever if I delete them from my tray?
No. Removing a sticker pack from your tray only hides it from your editing screen. You can read it again anytime from the sticker shop in Snapchat. Deleting a pack does not affect any snaps you have already sent with stickers from that pack.
Is there a difference between deleting a sticker and deleting a whole snap?
Yes. Deleting a sticker removes only that one element before you send. Deleting a snap removes the entire photo or video. You can only delete stickers before sending — after that, you have to delete the whole snap if you want it gone.