Emily Bennett
How To Create Custom Stickers on iPhone
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create custom stickers from your photos on your iPhone. Stickers can add a fun and personal touch to your messages, making your communication more expressive. This guide will walk you through the complete process, from selecting your photo to sending your newly created sticker in a message.
Step 1: Open the Photos App
Begin by locating the Photos app on your iPhone’s home screen. Tap on the app to open it. If you’re in a hurry, just swipe down and search for “Photos” in the search bar.
Step 2: Select a Photo
Browse through your photo library and pick the one you want to turn into a sticker. It can be a selfie, a pet photo, or anything with a clear subject. Make sure it’s a decent quality image; weird backgrounds or clutter can mess with the automated background removal later.
Step 3: Create the Sticker
Once the photo loads, long press on it until a menu pops up. Sometimes, you’ll see options like Share, Copy, or Save Image, but screen context matters. If your device and iOS version support it, you should see an option called Add Sticker. If not, you might need to use a workaround, like a third-party app or shortcut. For now, assuming you see it: tap on Add Sticker.
Your iPhone will try to automatically remove the background—kinda weird, but it works surprisingly well for simple images. You’ll be left with just your main subject, ready to send as a sticker. On some setups, this fails the first time or needs a retry after a reboot, so don’t stress if it’s not perfect immediately.
Step 4: Send the Sticker via Messages
Once your sticker’s ready, open the Messages app and select a chat or start a new one. Tap the plus (+) button next to the text input field, then choose Stickers. Your freshly made sticker should appear at the top of the sticker tray. Tap on it, then hit the Send arrow (upward pointing arrow) to send it to whoever you’re chatting with.
Some folks report that the sticker sometimes doesn’t show up instantly or takes a restart of the Messages app. Just a heads-up: this process can be a little inconsistent, especially if your iOS isn’t fully up to date.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Creating stickers is generally straightforward, but a few things can trip you up:
- Make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version. Apple keeps tweaking these features, and sometimes background removal gets better or worse with updates.
- If background removal doesn’t look right, try using a photo with a plain background or better contrast between subject and background.
- Sometimes the Add Sticker option appears only in certain apps or with specific images—kind of a hassle, but experimenting helps.
- On some devices, the background removal feature is flaky. Rebooting the phone or updating iOS might fix it. Or, if nothing else works, third-party apps like Sticker to Img can help craft stickers manually.
Conclusion
Getting your own stickers from photos isn’t perfect out of the box, but with some trial and error, you’ll manage to create some fun stuff. It’s a neat way to spice up your messaging game without installing a ton of third-party keyboards or sticker packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use stickers in apps other than Messages?
Mostly, no. These stickers are designed for Messages, but you can save them as images in your library and use them elsewhere—like in Instagram or WhatsApp, if you don’t mind a few extra steps.
What if the ‘Add Sticker’ option doesn’t appear?
If that happens, double-check if your iPhone’s updated. Sometimes, feature availability depends on the iOS version or even the device model. And, of course, ensure the photo has decent contrast and isn’t too complex.
Are there size limits for the photos I can turn into stickers?
In theory, no, but high-res photos tend to produce better results. Very large images might slow down the process or cause glitches, so resizing beforehand can be smart.
Summary
- Use the Photos app to pick your favorite shot.
- Look for the Add Sticker option after long pressing (if available).
- Expect some quirks with background removal—nothing perfect every time.
- Send your custom stickers via the Messages app, and enjoy personal messaging flair.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Because, of course, Apple has to make it harder than necessary sometimes. But hey, worth a shot if you want unique stickers without digging into paid packs or weird third-party apps.