If you just received a sticker in Messages or another app and want to keep it for later, you are not alone. iPhone makes it easy to save stickers, whether you want to reuse them in chats, organize them in your sticker drawer, or turn a photo into a custom sticker. The catch is that the exact steps depend on where the sticker came from and what version of iOS you are using.
This guide walks you through the quickest ways to save a sticker on iPhone, including built-in iPhone stickers, stickers sent in Messages, and custom stickers made from photos. You will also learn what to do if the sticker does not appear, how to find saved stickers later, and a few common fixes if things do not work on the first try. The whole process is fast, and once you know where to tap, it takes only a few seconds.
Quick Summary
- Open the sticker in Messages, Photos, or a supported app.
- Press and hold the sticker until the menu appears.
- Tap Add Sticker, Save Sticker, or drag it into your sticker library, depending on the app.
- Open the sticker drawer in Messages to use it later.
Tutorial – How to Save a Sticker on iPhone
The main goal here is to keep a sticker so you can reuse it later in Messages or other supported apps. On iPhone, that usually means adding it to your sticker collection, saving it from a photo, or marking it as a favorite.
Step 1: Open the app where the sticker is shown
Go to Messages, Photos, or the app where the sticker appears.
Once you are there, look for the sticker you want to keep. If it was sent to you in a text, open the conversation and scroll until you see it. If it is in a photo, make sure the image is fully loaded on screen.
Step 2: Press and hold the sticker
Touch and hold the sticker until a menu or preview appears.
On many iPhones, this is the key move. You should see a pop-up with options like Add Sticker, Copy, Save Image, or Sticker Details, depending on the source. If nothing happens, try pressing a little longer or using a different finger placement.
Step 3: Tap Add Sticker or the closest save option
Select Add Sticker if you see it, or choose the option that saves it to your sticker collection.
If the sticker came from a photo, iPhone may first create a cutout sticker from the subject and then ask you to add it. After you tap the save option, the sticker is usually added to your sticker drawer right away. In some apps, you may not see a confirmation message, so the best sign is that the sticker is now available for reuse.
Step 4: Open the Messages sticker drawer to check it
Go back to Messages, tap a conversation, then tap the + button or the sticker icon near the text field.
You should now see your saved sticker in the sticker area. If your iPhone supports Live Stickers or Memoji stickers, the saved sticker may appear alongside those items. This is the easiest way to confirm that the save worked.
Step 5: Use the sticker again whenever you want
Tap the saved sticker in Messages to resend it, or press and hold it to move it.
Once saved, your sticker acts like a reusable item. You can send it in future chats without having to hunt for the original message or image. If you want to keep it easy to find, consider saving only the stickers you use most often.
Alternative Methods and Edge Cases
Not every sticker saves the same way. Here are a few useful variations to know.
If the sticker came from a photo on iPhone:
Press and hold the subject in the photo, then tap Add Sticker. This works best on iOS versions that support photo cutout stickers.If the sticker was sent in Messages but is animated:
Some animated stickers can be reused, but not all of them save the same way. Press and hold, then look for Add Sticker or Copy.If you want to favorite a sticker instead of just saving it:
In some sticker menus, you can tap and hold the sticker in your sticker drawer and drag it into a favorites area, if available.If you are using an older iPhone or older iOS version:
You may not have access to all the sticker features found in newer versions of iOS. Update your iPhone if you do not see the sticker options mentioned above.If the sticker is from a third-party app:
Some apps manage stickers inside their own built-in sticker keyboard or library. Check the app’s sticker settings or export options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save a sticker from a text message on iPhone?
Yes. Open the message, press and hold the sticker, then tap Add Sticker if that option appears. If not, you may still be able to copy or reuse it depending on the app and iOS version.
Where do saved stickers go on iPhone?
Saved stickers usually appear in the sticker drawer inside Messages. On supported iPhones, they may show up near Memoji, emoji, or recent stickers.
Can I save a sticker from a photo?
Yes. Press and hold the subject in the photo, then tap Add Sticker when the menu appears. This creates a reusable sticker from the image subject.
Do saved stickers take up a lot of storage?
No, saved stickers are tiny and usually do not use noticeable storage space. Even a large sticker collection is very lightweight compared with photos or videos.
Why do I not see an Add Sticker option?
Your iPhone may be running an older version of iOS, or the sticker may come from an app that does not support saving. Update your iPhone and try again in Messages or Photos.
Can I delete a sticker after saving it?
Yes. In the sticker drawer, press and hold the sticker and look for a delete or remove option. The exact menu can vary by iOS version.
Tips
- Keep your iPhone updated, because sticker features improve with newer iOS versions.
- If you use stickers often, save only the ones you plan to reuse so your sticker drawer stays easy to manage.
- Try pressing and holding directly on the sticker, not near it, to trigger the right menu.
- If a sticker is in a photo, use a clear image with a well-defined subject for the best cutout result.
- Test your saved sticker in a Messages conversation right away to make sure it worked.
Troubleshooting
The sticker does not open a menu:
Press and hold longer, or try tapping a different part of the sticker. Some stickers are easier to save from Messages than from other apps.I do not see saved stickers in Messages:
Open the sticker drawer again and check for a recent items section. If it is still missing, restart the Messages app or your iPhone.The Add Sticker button is missing:
Update iOS if possible. Older versions may not support the sticker save feature, especially for photo-based stickers.The sticker saved, but I cannot find it later:
Look inside Messages next to the text field, then tap the sticker icon or + button. Saved stickers usually live there.The sticker looks cropped wrong:
Use a cleaner photo with a sharper outline, then recreate the sticker. Busy backgrounds can confuse the cutout tool.
Conclusion
Saving a sticker on iPhone is usually simple once you know where to tap. In most cases, all it takes is pressing and holding the sticker, then choosing Add Sticker or the nearest save option.
Whether the sticker came from Messages, Photos, or a supported app, the saved version should show up in your sticker drawer for quick reuse. If it does not, a quick iOS update or a second try from a different app usually solves the problem.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.