JamieI’ve used the Stickers feature the most in iOS 17. This feature builds on Visual Lookup from iOS 16, where you could cut a subject from a photo and paste it into a Message conversation.
Now, you can turn those images into stickers with effects and animations.
Making stickers is fun and straightforward, especially with funny photos of friends. Below, we explain how to create and customize your stickers.
For a complete list of the top features in Apple’s latest operating system, check out our iOS 17 summary.
Select Your Image
- Open the Photos App
Launch the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad. Find the photo you want, then tap to view it in full screen.
- Outline the Subject
Press and hold the subject in the photo until an outline appears around it.
- Add as a Live Sticker
Select “Live Sticker” from the menu. Your iPhone/iPad will instantly save the Sticker in the Sticker drawer, which you can find on the keyboard or Markup tools.
- Share Without Saving
If you don’t want to save the Sticker, tap “Share” instead. You can send it through AirDrop, Messages, Mail, Notes, and other apps.
- Create a Sticker from a Live Photo
Follow the same steps to turn a Live Photo into a Sticker. The Sticker will be animated based on the photo’s movement. You can turn off this animation, as explained below.
Tip: Crop or zoom in on the subject if the photo has a cluttered background or too many distractions.
Focusing on the subject captures it. Without cropping, the sticker may show unwanted details.
You can also create stickers directly in the Messages app. This option is easier because the app outlines the subject automatically.
- Open a message in the Messages app.
- Tap the Emoji button.
- Tap the Stickers button.
- Tap the “+” sign in the corner.
- Select the photo you want.
- Tap Add Sticker.
Tap the “+” icon on the left of the Messages text box. Scroll through the app drawer to find and tap Stickers.
Personalize Stickers
You can modify a new sticker with various effects once you add it.
1. Apply an Effect Right Away
- After creating a sticker, tap Add Effect to apply one instantly.
- Turn off the motion feature to keep the sticker still if it’s a Live Photo.
- Choose from filters like Outline, Puffy, Comic, or Shiny.
2. Customize Later
If you want to adjust the sticker later, follow these steps:
- Open the sticker drawer from the keyboard (usually through the Messages app).
- Tap the Live Sticker icon in the bottom right corner.
- Press and hold the sticker you want to edit.
- Tap Apply Effect or Modify Effect if an effect is already in use.
- Tap Done when you finish.
How to Send Stickers in Messages?
Once you create Stickers, you can use them in messages. Sending them is as easy as sending an emoji or Memoji.
Stickers are available on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac (running macOS Sonoma). New Stickers will automatically sync across all devices.
How to Send Stickers on iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Messages app and start a new message.
- Tap the Emoji icon.
- View your Frequently Used Stickers on the left side. Tap a Sticker to add it to the text box and hit send.
- Tap the Sticker icon in the bottom right to see all your Stickers. Scroll through the list, choose a Sticker, and tap send.
How to Send Stickers on Mac:
- Open the Messages app and start a new message.
- Click the App Drawer and select Stickers.
- Choose a Sticker, then click send.
Drag and Drop Stickers (iOS 17.2):
- Open the Sticker drawer.
- Long press the Sticker you want.
- Drag it to a message bubble and release it to place it.
- You can add multiple Stickers to a single message.
Organize Your Sticker Drawer
Once you gather many Stickers, you can easily organize your Sticker drawer.
You can rearrange the order of Stickers and remove the ones you don’t need.
To rearrange Stickers:
- Open the Sticker drawer on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the Sticker icon.
- Press and hold any Sticker.
- Tap “Rearrange.”
- Drag the Sticker to your desired spot.
To delete Stickers:
- Open the Sticker drawer on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the Sticker icon.
- Press and hold a Sticker.
- Tap “Delete.”
You can also delete Stickers while rearranging by tapping the “–” button on the left side of each one.
Another method is to tap the “+” icon next to the Messages text box, find the Stickers app, and open it. Press and hold a Sticker, then tap “Remove.”
Check social media platforms like X or TikTok if you need ideas for funny or unusual images to turn into stickers.
These are great places to find amusing content. That’s where I always discover my funniest stickers.
