Where to find stickers on your iPhone
Stickers on iPhone live in the Messages app, the Mail app, and in Notes. You access them through the same button in each app — a small smiley face icon that opens the emoji and sticker keyboard. Tap that icon, then swipe left past the emoji section until you see sticker packs. The exact location of the button varies slightly: in Messages, it's to the left of the text field; in Mail, it's in the compose area; in Notes, it's in the formatting toolbar.
Your iPhone comes with built-in sticker packs already installed, including Memoji (cartoon versions of your face), Animoji (animated animals and objects), and several themed collections. You don't need to download anything to use these — they're ready to go the moment you open the sticker keyboard.
If you want stickers beyond what comes built-in, you can download more from the App Store. Search for "stickers" and you'll find packs made by Apple and third-party developers. Many are free; some cost money. Once you download a sticker pack through an app, those stickers automatically appear in your sticker keyboard.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the smiley face icon in Messages, Mail, or Notes to open the sticker keyboard — it's the same button that opens emoji.
- Your iPhone includes Memoji, Animoji, and several built-in sticker packs you can use immediately without downloading anything.
- Additional sticker packs are available through the App Store, and they appear in your sticker keyboard once downloaded.
- You can send stickers in Messages, attach them to emails in Mail, or add them to notes in the Notes app.
- Memoji stickers update automatically to match changes you make to your Memoji avatar in Settings.
How to send stickers in Messages
Open a conversation in Messages and tap the smiley face icon to the left of the text field. Swipe left through the emoji section until you reach the sticker packs. Tap any sticker to send it immediately — it will appear in the conversation as a full-size image. You can send multiple stickers in one message by tapping them one after another before sending anything else.
If you want to resize a sticker before sending it, tap and hold the sticker in the keyboard, then drag it larger or smaller. Release your finger to send it at that size. This works with any sticker pack, including Memoji and Animoji.
Using Memoji and Animoji stickers
Memoji are cartoon avatars based on your appearance. To create or edit your Memoji, go to Settings, then Memoji. Tap the plus icon to create a new one, or tap an existing Memoji to change its appearance — you can adjust skin tone, hairstyle, eyes, nose, mouth, and accessories. Once you've created a Memoji, it automatically generates a sticker pack with different expressions: smiling, laughing, winking, surprised, and others.
Animoji are pre-made animated characters like a monkey, dog, cat, pig, and several others. They work the same way as Memoji in the sticker keyboard — tap one to send it. Unlike Memoji, you can't customize Animoji, but they're available on every iPhone.
Both Memoji and Animoji stickers update in real time if you change your Memoji avatar. If you modify your Memoji's hairstyle or add glasses, those changes appear in the sticker pack automatically.
Downloading additional sticker packs from the App Store
Open the App Store and search for "stickers" or search for a specific theme you want — "Disney stickers," "nature stickers," or "cartoon stickers," for example. Tap the sticker pack you want, then tap the cloud icon with a download arrow to download it. Some packs are free; others show a price. Once downloaded, the pack appears in your sticker keyboard immediately.
You can also find sticker packs through individual apps. Some messaging apps, social media platforms, and creative apps include their own sticker packs. When you download the app, the stickers are often included or available as an in-app download. Check the app's settings or main menu to see if stickers are available.
To remove a sticker pack you no longer want, open the sticker keyboard, tap the three dots next to the pack name, and tap "Remove." The pack disappears from your keyboard but remains installed on your phone — you can add it back anytime by tapping the plus icon next to its name.
Adding stickers to Mail and Notes
In Mail, open a new message and tap the smiley face icon in the compose area (it's in the formatting toolbar above the keyboard). Swipe to your sticker packs and tap the sticker you want to add. It will appear in the email body. You can add multiple stickers to one email and resize them the same way you do in Messages — tap and hold, then drag.
In Notes, tap the smiley face icon in the toolbar above the keyboard. Select your sticker and it will appear in the note. Stickers in Notes work the same way as in Messages and Mail — you can send multiple stickers and resize them before adding them.
Troubleshooting sticker problems
If the smiley face icon doesn't appear, make sure you're using a recent version of iOS. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update to check. If an update is available, download and install it. Sticker support requires iOS 10 or later, and some newer sticker features require iOS 13 or later.
If a sticker pack you downloaded doesn't appear in your keyboard, try closing and reopening the app where you want to use it. If that doesn't work, go to Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage, find the app that came with the sticker pack, and check that it has enough space to store the stickers. If your phone is very low on storage, sticker packs may not download completely.
If Memoji stickers look outdated or don't match your current avatar, go to Settings, then Memoji, and tap your Memoji to open it. Make any small change — adjust the hairstyle slightly, then change it back — and save. This forces the sticker pack to update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use stickers in apps other than Messages, Mail, and Notes?
Stickers from your iPhone's sticker keyboard work in Messages, Mail, and Notes. Some third-party apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Instagram have their own sticker systems separate from the iPhone keyboard. You may need to download stickers directly through those apps to use them there.
Do I need an internet connection to use stickers?
No. Once sticker packs are downloaded to your phone, you can use them anytime without an internet connection. You only need internet to download new sticker packs from the App Store.
Can I create my own custom stickers?
The built-in sticker tools on iPhone are limited to Memoji customization. To create fully custom stickers, you can use third-party apps available in the App Store that let you design stickers from photos or drawings, then add them to your keyboard.
What's the difference between Memoji and Animoji?
Memoji are customizable avatars you create to look like yourself or however you want. Animoji are pre-made animated characters you can't change. Both generate sticker packs with different expressions, and both work the same way in Messages, Mail, and Notes.
Why did my sticker pack disappear?
If you removed a sticker pack from your keyboard, it's still on your phone — open the sticker keyboard, tap the plus icon, and add it back. If the entire app that came with the sticker pack was deleted, the stickers are gone too. Reinstall the app from the App Store to get them back.