The quickest way to add a sticker to a photo

Open the Photos app, select the photo you want to edit, tap Edit in the top right, then tap the plus sign (+) button at the bottom of the screen. Tap Stickers from the menu that appears. Choose a sticker pack, select the sticker you want, and tap the photo to place it. You can move it around by dragging, resize it by pinching, or rotate it by using two fingers. When you're done, tap Done to save your changes.

This built-in method works on iPhone 11 and newer models. If you have an older iPhone, you can still add stickers through third-party apps like Markup or by using the Markup tool that comes with your device.

Key Takeaways

  • The Photos app's built-in sticker feature is the fastest way to add stickers without downloading anything extra.
  • You can resize, rotate, and move stickers freely before saving, so placement doesn't have to be perfect the first time.
  • Apple includes several sticker packs by default, and you can download more from the Stickers section in the app.
  • If the sticker button doesn't appear, your iPhone model may be too old, but Markup offers a workaround for older devices.

Finding and downloading more sticker packs

The Photos app comes with a few sticker packs already installed, but you can add more. In the sticker menu, scroll to the bottom and tap Get More Stickers. This takes you to a collection of free and paid sticker packs you can download. Tap the cloud icon next to any pack to download it, and it will appear in your sticker library the next time you edit a photo.

Downloaded stickers stay on your phone until you delete them. You can remove a sticker pack by opening the sticker menu, long-pressing the pack you want to remove, and tapping Delete. This frees up space without affecting any photos you've already edited.

Using Markup for older iPhones or more control

If your iPhone doesn't have the sticker button in the Photos app, or if you want more editing options, use Markup instead. Open a photo in the Photos app, tap Edit, then tap the three dots (•••) in the top right. Tap Markup, then tap the plus sign (+) at the bottom. Select Stickers from the menu to see available options.

Markup gives you the same sticker placement and resizing tools as the main Photos app, but it also includes drawing tools, text, magnifiers, and shapes. This makes it useful if you want to add more than just stickers to your photo. Markup works on iPhone XS and newer, and some features work on even older models.

Adjusting sticker size, position, and rotation

Once you've placed a sticker, you have full control over how it looks. To move it, simply drag it across the photo with one finger. To resize it, place two fingers on the sticker and pinch inward to make it smaller or pinch outward to make it larger. To rotate it, place two fingers on the sticker and twist them clockwise or counterclockwise.

You can layer multiple stickers on top of each other, and they'll stack in the order you placed them. If a sticker is covering something you want to see, drag it to a different spot. There's no limit to how many stickers you can add to a single photo, though too many can make the image look cluttered.

Saving your edited photo with stickers

When you're happy with your stickers, tap Done at the top right of the screen. Your iPhone will ask whether you want to Save to Photos or Save as Copy. Tap Save to Photos to replace the original photo with the edited version, or tap Save as Copy to keep both the original and the stickered version.

If you change your mind after saving, you can edit the photo again by opening it and tapping Edit. Your stickers will still be there, and you can move, resize, or delete them. Tap Revert at any time to go back to the version without stickers.

Stickers from other apps and iMessage

Some apps, like messaging apps or social media platforms, include their own sticker packs that you can use in the Photos app. These stickers appear in your sticker menu once you've downloaded them through the app. You can also create custom stickers using apps designed for that purpose, though these typically work better in iMessage than in the Photos app.

If you want to use stickers from a specific app, check whether that app has a sticker pack available. Many popular apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and messaging platforms offer sticker collections you can download and use across your phone.

Troubleshooting when stickers won't appear

If the sticker button doesn't show up in the Photos app, first check your iPhone model. Stickers are available on iPhone 11 and newer. If you have an older model, use Markup instead by tapping the three dots (•••) during editing.

If you have a newer iPhone but still don't see the sticker button, try closing the Photos app completely and opening it again. Make sure you're in Edit mode by tapping Edit on the photo first. If stickers still don't appear, restart your iPhone. If a specific sticker pack won't download, check your internet connection and make sure you have enough storage space available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add stickers to photos I've already taken, or only new ones?

You can add stickers to any photo in your library, whether you took it years ago or just now. Open the photo, tap Edit, and follow the same steps. Your original photo stays unchanged unless you choose to save over it.

Do stickers take up a lot of storage space?

Individual sticker packs are small, usually a few megabytes each. Downloading many packs might use 100 MB to 500 MB total, depending on how many you get. Deleting packs you don't use regularly can free up space.

Can I use the same sticker multiple times on one photo?

Yes. You can place the same sticker as many times as you want on a single photo. Just tap it again in the sticker menu and place it in a new location.

What happens to stickers if I share a photo with someone?

Stickers become part of the photo once you save it, so anyone you share it with will see them. The stickers are baked into the image file and can't be removed by the person receiving it.

Can I undo a sticker after I've tapped Done?

Once you tap Done and save, the stickers are permanent in that version of the photo. However, if you chose Save as Copy, your original photo is still available without stickers. You can also tap Edit again and use Revert to go back to the unstickered version.