How do I make my own stickers on my iPhone?

Tips
3

Couple of extra angles on top of what @shizuka said, so you’re not stuck doing everything their way:

1. Use “Copy Subject” as a stealth sticker tool

If you’re on iOS 16 or 17 and don’t see the Live Sticker option, you can still cheat:

  1. Open Photos.
  2. Long‑press the subject in a pic until it highlights.
  3. Tap Copy.
  4. Go to Messages and paste in the text field.

It sends like a cutout PNG. Not a “saved sticker pack,” but it behaves almost the same for quick one‑offs, which I honestly use more than the full sticker editor.

2. Make a “sticker sheet” image and slice it

If you want text, memes, etc. without messing with sticker apps:

  1. Use Pages, Keynote, or any drawing app (like Procreate, Sketchbook):
    • Make a blank canvas.
    • Add pics, text, doodles. Space them out.
  2. Export that as an image.
  3. Open it in Photos.
  4. Long‑press each little drawing/character/word you want → iOS auto‑cuts it → Add Sticker.

You basically made your own sticker sheet and peeled them off one by one. Clunky but super flexible.

3. Use Notes for really quick text stickers

Weird trick but it works:

  1. Open Notes.
  2. Write big text, maybe add emojis or simple drawings.
  3. Screenshot it.
  4. Crop tight around what you want.
  5. Save, then long‑press the subject in Photos → Add Sticker.

I find this faster than some sticker apps when I just need “OKAY BUT WHY” in giant letters slapped on a text.

4. Control where your stickers live

The “drawer” gets messy fast:

  • In Messages, tap + → Stickers.
  • Tap the little clock / recents icon and the app / pack icons at the bottom.
  • Long‑press an icon to reorder packs. Put your custom ones at the front.
  • Swipe left on a pack → Remove from Favorites if it’s clutter.

I disagree slightly with the idea that you should rely heavily on random third‑party sticker makers. They’re fine, but a lot of them are ad‑y and overkill if you just want clean cutouts and simple text. The built‑in stuff + one drawing app covers like 90% of normal use.

5. Use stickers outside Messages

People forget this part:

  • In Notes, Mail, some social apps:
    • Open the keyboard.
    • Tap the emoji icon.
    • Switch to the sticker tab.
    • Tap or drag your custom stickers.

Nice for annotating notes or making “to‑do” lists slightly less depressing.

If you’re just starting:

  1. Make 3–4 from clear photos in Photos.
  2. Try that “sticker sheet” trick for text/memes.
  3. Only then decide if a third‑party app is really worth the hassle.