In the world of texting, emojis and GIFs are great, but sometimes you want something a little more you. That’s where iPhone stickers come in. With iOS 17 and later, Apple introduced a feature that lets you create custom stickers directly from your photos, giving you a fun and creative way to express yourself in messages. Whether you want to turn your pet’s face into a sticker, create a personalized meme, or just add a little flair to your conversations, this guide will walk you through how to create iPhone stickers like a pro.
What Are iPhone Stickers?
iPhone stickers are custom images you can create and use in the Messages app. They can be cutouts of photos, drawings, or even emojis. Once created, these stickers live in your sticker drawer, making it easy to drag and drop them into your conversations. They’re perfect for adding a personal touch to your texts, and the best part? They’re super easy to make!
How to Create iPhone Stickers from Photos
Step 1: Choose Your Photo
The first step is to pick the photo you want to turn into a sticker. This could be a picture of your dog, a selfie, or even a funny meme. Open the Photos app and select the image you want to use.
Step 2: Tap and Hold to Lift the Subject
Once you’ve opened the photo, tap and hold on the subject you want to turn into a sticker. For example, if it’s a photo of your cat, tap and hold on the cat. After a moment, you’ll see a glowing outline around the subject, and it will “lift” off the background.
Step 3: Add the Sticker to Your Sticker Drawer
When the subject is lifted, a menu will appear. Tap Add Sticker, and your new sticker will automatically be saved to your sticker drawer in the Messages app. That’s it! You’ve just created your first iPhone sticker. You can add effects like outlines, shiny textures, or even comic book-style shading. To do this, tap and hold a sticker in your drawer, then select Add Effect. You can rearrange your stickers by tapping and holding them, then dragging them to a new position. You can also delete stickers you no longer want by tapping and holding, then selecting Delete.
How to Use Your Custom Stickers
Now that you’ve created your stickers, it’s time to put them to use! Here’s how to access and use them in the Messages app:
- Open a conversation in the Messages app.
- Tap the Sticker icon next to the text box.
- Swipe through your sticker drawer to find the sticker you want to use.
- Tap the sticker to send it, or drag and drop it onto a message bubble for a fun effect.
While stickers are primarily designed for the Messages app, you can also use them in other apps like Notes, Mail, and even third-party apps that support stickers. Simply tap and hold a sticker, then drag it to the app you want to use it in.
Custom stickers are more than just a fun gimmick—they’re a way to make your messages truly unique. Whether you’re sending a sticker of your dog to a friend, using a custom meme to make someone laugh, or adding a personal touch to a group chat, stickers let you express yourself in a way that words alone can’t. Plus, they’re a great way to show off your creativity.
