To make a sticker from a picture on iPhone, open the Photos app, tap a photo to view it full screen, then touch and hold the subject until it lifts from the background. Release your finger and tap Add Sticker to save it instantly to your iPhone’s stickers menu.
How to make a sticker from a picture on iPhone
Apple’s built-in method requires no third-party tools and works in seconds. Open the Photos app and select any photo. Tap the photo to open it full screen. Touch and hold the subject of the photo, a person, pet, or object, until a glowing outline appears and the subject lifts away from the background. Release your finger. A small menu appears; tap Add Sticker. The sticker is now saved to your iPhone’s stickers menu and ready to use in Messages and other apps.
On Samsung Gallery: open Gallery, select the picture, touch and hold a subject, then choose Save as sticker or Create sticker depending on the Gallery flow.
In Google Photos: press and hold the subject, then tap Copy or Share to create a sticker cutout.
Add effects to your iPhone sticker
After creating a sticker, you can give it a visual style. Tap Add Effect on the sticker preview that appears after you tap Add Sticker. Choose from effects such as Outline or Comic to change the sticker’s appearance. If you used a Live Photo, you can toggle the animation on or off in this same menu. Tap anywhere outside the menu to close it and save your changes.
Where stickers are saved on iPhone
Your stickers live in the stickers menu, a system-wide location accessible from the onscreen keyboard in Messages and other apps. You can also reach them from the Markup tools when editing photos, screenshots, or documents. The menu automatically organizes every sticker you create, so you never need to hunt for them.
How to use your sticker in Messages
- Open a conversation in the Messages app or start a new one.
- Tap the Stickers button (the sticker icon) in the app drawer above the keyboard.
- Tap the sticker you created to select it.
- Tap the send button or tap the message bubble to place it.
You can also create a sticker directly from Messages: tap the Stickers button, then tap the add button (+), choose a photo from your library, and the subject will be lifted and saved as a sticker automatically.
In Google Messages Photomoji: open a conversation, tap the message box Emoji Create, select a photo, tap the subject if there are multiple subjects, then tap Send.
How to use stickers in Markup tools
- Open a photo, screenshot, or document you want to mark up.
- Tap the Markup icon (a pen tip inside a circle).
- Tap the add button (+) in the Markup toolbar.
- Tap Stickers from the menu that appears.
- Select your sticker, then drag, resize, or rotate it on the image.
This works in the Photos app, Files app, and any app that uses the system Markup tools.
Make an animated sticker from a Live Photo
To create a moving sticker, start with a Live Photo instead of a still image. Apple says to use a Live Photo if you want the sticker to move. Open the Live Photo in Photos full screen, touch and hold the subject until it lifts, then tap Add Sticker. After the sticker is created, tap Add Effect and make sure the animation toggle is turned on. The sticker will play the Live Photo’s motion whenever it appears in Messages or Markup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a sticker from any picture?
You can make a sticker from any photo in your library where the subject is clearly distinguishable from the background. Photos with complex backgrounds or subjects that blend in may not lift cleanly.
Can I share stickers with others?
Yes. When you send a sticker in Messages, the recipient receives it as an image they can save or reuse. Some sticker creation apps let you export sticker packs for others to install, but the system stickers created in Photos are shared inline.
Do I need a third-party app?
No. The entire process, from lifting the subject to adding effects, is built into iOS. You do not need photo editing and collage apps or any other download to make, save, or use stickers.
Why can’t I see the Add Sticker option?
This option appears only after you touch and hold a subject that the iPhone successfully detects. Make sure your photo is in full screen, hold your finger still on the subject for about one second, and release. If the subject does not lift, try a different photo with a clearer subject. Google Messages says Photomoji selects the subject if there are multiple subjects.
