How to Create Live Stickers on iPhone: A Complete Guide

Creating Live Stickers just got easier and more fun on iPhone with iOS 26. Whether it’s a cute moment of a pet, a funny expression, or that cool meme you saved a minute ago, everything can be changed into an animated sticker in seconds. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make Live Stickers, customize them, and use them across your iPhone apps. Let’s get started!

What are Live Stickers on iPhone?

Live Stickers are animated stickers created from your iPhone’s Live Photos or regular images.

• If the photo is a Live Photo, the sticker plays motion like a mini-GIF. 
• If it’s a regular photo, your iPhone lifts the subject automatically and turns it into a static sticker.

You can also customize them using different effects. These stickers work in Messages, Notes, Tapback reactions, and even some third-party apps that support Apple’s sticker system.

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Requirements Before You Start

Here’s the quick checklist to ensure you’re set:

• iOS Version: iOS 17 or later. Head to Settings > General > Software Update to check for or install updates. 
• Storage Space: A few MB free, as stickers need space to be saved. 
• Photos: Capture Live Photos for animated stickers. If you don’t have one, open Camera, tap the menu icon in the top-right corner, and select Live Photo on.

If your iPhone is lagging or low on space, a quick restart or cleanup in Settings > General > iPhone Storage can help. Once you are set, follow the steps below.

How to Create Live Stickers in iOS 26 

Creating Live Stickers is quick and fun. Here are the simplest ways to do it.

Method 1: Create a Live Sticker Directly from the Photos App

This is the easiest method, especially when you already know which photo you want to use. 

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone. 
2. Choose a Live Photo or any image with a clear subject (a person, pet, object). 
3. Long-press on the subject. You’ll see a glowing outline appearing around the subject. 
4. A menu pops up. Tap Add Sticker from there. 
5. The sticker is now automatically saved to your Stickers Library.
   

If it’s a Live Photo, the sticker animates. Also, your stickers sync across your Apple devices that are signed in to the same iCloud account. So, you can access them from anywhere.

Method 2: Create Live Stickers Inside Messages

If you discover the perfect photo while texting, make the sticker right there.

1. Open the Messages app. 
2. Tap the + (plus) button next to the text box and select Stickers. 
3. Now, open the Stickers tab in the sticker panel and tap the plus icon.
   
4. Choose a photo from a category. Here, I am selecting a Live Photo. 
5. The system auto-detects the subject. Simply tap the plus icon at the bottom right corner to add it to your collection

That’s it! You’re ready to use it instantly in the conversation.

How to Customize Your Live Stickers

Once created, stickers aren’t locked in. You can polish and rearrange them.

1. Open the Messages app and go to the Stickers panel.
2. Long-press a sticker and tap Add Effects.
3. Now, choose between Outline, Puffy, Comic, and Shiny.
   
4. To disable the animation, tap the Live button in the top-left corner.
5. Tap the checkmark to save your customization.

Customization makes your stickers look cleaner, bolder, or more playful depending on your vibe. 

Where and How to Use Your Live Stickers

Using your created Live Stickers is as easy as placing emojis.

• Place as a sticker: Drag the sticker from the panel and drop it onto an iMessage bubble, photo, or sticker. 
• Send as a standalone message: Just tap the sticker from the panel and send it directly. 
• Turn Live Stickers into Tapback reactions: Long-press the message you want to react to, tap the emoji icon, and select a sticker from the Stickers panel. 
• Decorate photos: Open an image in the Photos app, tap the edit icon > Markup icon, then select the plus icon on the toolbar, and choose Add Sticker. Stack as many as you want.

As Live Stickers are integrated into the Apple keyboard, you can access them in any naive app like Notes, Mail, Files, and much more. Moreover, you can use them in third-party apps such as Snapchat and WhatsApp.

How to Manage Your Sticker Library

Your sticker library can fill up fast. Here’s how to keep it tidy.

1. Open the Stickers panel in Messages. 
2. Tap and hold the sticker and select Rearrange. 
3. Now, drag your favorite stickers to the top, then tap an empty space to save the arrangement. 
4. If you no longer use a sticker, long-press it and tap Delete.
   

You can also remove multiple stickers together. Our guide will show you how to delete stickers on the iPhone.

Pro Tips for Creating Better Live Stickers

• Use photos with clear subjects: The subject lift works best when there’s contrast between the object and background. 
• Use Live Photos for personality: Small motions, like tail wags, head tilts, and hand waves, become perfect animated stickers. 
• Avoid blurry images: Sharp edges mean cleaner sticker cutouts. 
• Try pet photos: Dogs and cats make the most fun animated stickers. 

Troubleshooting Common Live Sticker Issues

Stuck? Here’s how to fix Live Stickers not working:

• No Outline on Subject: Crop the image to focus on the subject. Open the photo > Edit icon > Crop > Adjust frame > Done. 
• Animation Not Looping: Confirm it’s a Live Photo. Open the image, tap the Live button at the top. Ensure that it is enabled.  
• Stickers Missing: Check Settings > General > Keyboard > Stickers (toggle on). Restart your iPhone to remove iOS glitches. 
• Low-Quality Output: Use higher-res photos; iOS compresses for speed, but originals look sharper.

As a last resort, remove the sticker and re-create it, or contact Apple Support if the problem persists.

Create Funny Stickers in Just Minutes!

There you go: fast, straightforward steps to convert ordinary snaps into Live Stickers on an iPhone. It’s one of those features that starts simple but then hooks you fast, making your conversations more expressive, fun, and personal. Start today with any silly pet pic, and before you know it, your chat will be a sticker showcase. 

Got a favorite creation or a tip I missed? Drop it in the comments below!

You can also explore:

• How to enable and use StandBy mode on iPhone
• How to set personalized Contact Posters on iPhone
• Live Stickers not working on iPhone? Quick fixes!