The fastest way to add stickers to iMessage

Open any iMessage conversation, tap the app drawer icon (four dots in a circle) at the bottom left of the keyboard, then tap the plus sign to browse the App Store. Search for a sticker pack by name, tap "Get," then "Install." Once installed, go back to the app drawer, find the sticker pack, and tap it to send stickers into your conversation. The stickers stay in that drawer for every future message.

If you already have sticker packs installed but don't see them, swipe left in the app drawer until you find the pack you want. Apple includes a few sticker packs built in — search for "Memoji" to create custom stickers of your own face, or look for "Stickers" to see what comes pre-loaded on your device.

Key Takeaways

  • Sticker packs read from the App Store through the iMessage app drawer, not from a separate app.
  • Once you install a sticker pack, it appears in your app drawer permanently and works in every conversation.
  • You can create custom stickers of your own face using the Memoji sticker pack, which comes built into iMessage.
  • Stickers are free unless the pack's creator charges for it, which is rare.

Finding sticker packs in the App Store

Open any iMessage conversation and look at the keyboard. To the left of the space bar, you'll see a row of icons. Tap the app drawer icon — it looks like four dots arranged in a square. This opens a panel showing apps and sticker packs you've already installed.

At the bottom of that panel, tap the plus sign. This takes you to the App Store, but filtered to show only iMessage extensions. Type the name of a sticker pack you want — try "Stickers," "Memoji," "Bitmoji," or any specific theme like "animals" or "retro." Tap the pack name when you find it.

You'll see a preview of what the stickers look like. Tap the "Get" button, then confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. The button will change to "Install" — tap it once more. The pack is now yours and will appear in your app drawer from now on.

Using stickers you've already installed

Once a sticker pack is installed, sending a sticker takes two taps. Open any iMessage conversation, tap the app drawer icon (four dots), then tap the sticker pack you want to use. A grid of stickers appears. Tap any sticker to send it when ready into the conversation.

If you have many sticker packs, you may need to swipe left or right within the app drawer to find the one you want. Each pack shows its name or icon at the bottom of the drawer. Tap and hold a sticker before sending if you want to resize it or position it over another message — this creates a layered effect that some people use for reactions or emphasis.

Creating custom stickers with Memoji

Memoji stickers are cartoon versions of your face that you create once and then use forever. Open iMessage, tap the app drawer, and look for "Memoji." If you don't see it, search for "Memoji" in the App Store and install it.

Tap "Memoji" in the app drawer. You'll see a plus sign — tap it to create a new Memoji. Customize the face by adjusting skin tone, hairstyle, eyes, nose, mouth, and accessories. Once you're happy, tap "Done." Your Memoji now appears as a sticker pack in the app drawer, and you can send different expressions of your face (happy, sad, laughing, surprised) into conversations.

You can create multiple Memojis if you want different looks. Each one becomes its own sticker pack in your app drawer.

What to do if a sticker pack won't install

If you tap "Get" but nothing happens, check that you're signed into iMessage with your Apple ID. Go to Settings, tap Messages, and make sure "iMessage" is turned on. If it's already on, sign out and sign back in: go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, tap your Apple ID at the top, then tap "Sign Out." Wait a few seconds, then tap "Sign In" and enter your password.

If a sticker pack still won't install, try restarting your phone. Hold the power button until "slide to power off" appears, swipe to turn it off, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Once your phone restarts, go back to the App Store and try installing the pack again.

Some sticker packs require a newer version of iOS than what you have. Check Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available. If the pack still won't install after updating, the creator may have removed it from the App Store, and you won't be able to get it.

Removing sticker packs you don't want

Open iMessage, tap the app drawer, and find the sticker pack you want to remove. Press and hold the pack's icon until a menu appears. Tap "Remove" or the trash icon. The pack disappears from your app drawer when ready, though you can always reinstall it later from the App Store.

Removing a sticker pack doesn't delete stickers you've already sent — those stay in your conversation history. It only removes the pack from your app drawer so you can't send new ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use stickers from Android or other messaging apps in iMessage?

No. iMessage stickers only come from the App Store and are designed specifically for iMessage. If you use a different messaging app like WhatsApp or Telegram, those apps have their own sticker stores, but stickers don't transfer between them.

Do sticker packs cost money?

Most sticker packs are free. Some creators charge a small amount (usually under $2), and the App Store will show the price before you tap "Get." You can see the price before you commit to anything.

Why don't I see the app drawer in iMessage?

Make sure iMessage is turned on. Go to Settings > Messages and toggle iMessage on. If it's already on, restart your phone. The app drawer icon (four dots) should appear to the left of the space bar once iMessage is active.

Can I send stickers in group chats?

Yes. Stickers work in any iMessage conversation — one-on-one chats, group chats, and any thread. Everyone in the conversation will see the sticker you send.

What happens if someone doesn't have iMessage?

If you send a sticker to someone with an Android phone or a non-iMessage account, it converts to a picture and sends as a regular text message. They'll see the sticker as an image, but they won't be able to interact with it the way iMessage users can.