How to Get AR Stickers on Any Android

AR stickers let you place animated 3D objects — like dancing robots, cute animals, or holiday characters — into your photos and videos, then move and scale them as if they were really there. This guide covers the built-in Google AR Stickers on stock Android and Pixel devices, plus reliable alternatives for Samsung, Xiaomi, and other brands. No root or special hardware is needed; just a phone running Android 8.0 or newer with Google Play Services for AR installed.

What You’ll Need

• An Android phone or tablet (Android 8.0 or later recommended).
• The Google Camera app (for Pixel and some stock Android devices) or the phone’s default camera app.
• Google Play Services for AR (formerly ARCore) — most recent devices have it pre-installed.
• A stable internet connection for downloading sticker packs.
• Enough free storage for the AR sticker packs (usually 100–500 MB each).

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Google AR Stickers (Pixel / Stock Android)

1. Open the Google Camera app on your device. If you don’t have it, download it from the Play Store (it’s available for Pixel phones and some Android One devices).
2. Switch to the AR Stickers mode. In the camera modes carousel at the bottom, swipe until you see “AR Stickers” and tap it. If you don’t see it, tap the down arrow to expand all modes.
3. Tap the sticker icon (usually a smiley face or a star) on the right side of the viewfinder. This opens the sticker gallery.
4. Browse the available packs: Foodmoji, Sports, Weather, Animals, and Places. Tap any sticker to select it.
5. Point your camera at a flat surface (like a floor or a table). The sticker will appear as a 3D object in the scene.
6. Drag the sticker with your finger to move it, pinch to scale it, and use two fingers to rotate it. The sticker stays anchored to the surface as you move the camera.
7. Tap the shutter button to take a photo, or press and hold it to record a video with the AR sticker.
8. To delete a sticker, drag it to the trash icon that appears at the bottom of the screen.

Method 2: Using Samsung AR Zone (Galaxy devices)

1. Open the Camera app on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
2. Swipe through the shooting modes at the bottom until you reach AR Zone. If it’s not there, tap “More” and add it from the list.
3. In AR Zone, tap AR Doodle to draw on your surroundings, or AR Emoji to create a custom animated character that mimics your facial expressions.
4. For pre-made stickers, tap AR Sticker (on older models) or Decorate (on newer ones). You’ll find a selection of animated characters and objects.
5. Point at a flat surface, tap a sticker to place it, then adjust its size and position with pinch and drag gestures.
6. Record a video or take a photo using the shutter button.

Method 3: Using Third-Party AR Sticker Apps (Any Android)

1. Open the Google Play Store on your device.
2. Search for AR Stickers or AR Camera. Look for apps with high ratings and many downloads. Popular options include AR Stickers for Android, AR Camera by Google, and Holo (though availability varies).
3. Read the app description and permissions. Make sure it requires ARCore (or Google Play Services for AR) to ensure proper 3D anchoring.
4. Install the app and open it. Grant camera and storage permissions when prompted.
5. Follow the in-app tutorial: usually you’ll scan a flat surface, then pick a sticker from a library.
6. Place the sticker, adjust it, and capture a photo or video using the app’s built-in controls.

Common Mistakes

• Not updating Google Play Services for AR — if AR stickers don’t appear, the AR core service might be outdated. Go to Play Store > My apps & games and update it.
• Using the wrong camera mode — on Samsung, AR Stickers are inside AR Zone, not the main camera modes. On Pixel, you must scroll the modes carousel to find AR Stickers.
• Poor lighting — AR stickers need good lighting to anchor to surfaces. Dark or overly bright scenes cause tracking loss.
• Placing stickers on non-flat surfaces — they work best on floors, tables, and walls. Placing them on grass or carpet may make them jitter.
• Not downloading sticker packs — on some devices, you must tap the download icon next to each pack before it appears in the gallery.

Tips

• Move your phone slowly when placing a sticker. Fast motion confuses the AR tracking.
• Use a tripod or steady hand for videos to keep the sticker stable.
• Combine multiple stickers in one scene for fun interactions — on Pixel, you can add up to three at once.
• If your phone doesn’t support ARCore (check the official list), you can still use simple overlay apps that don’t require 3D tracking — they just paste the sticker as a flat image.
• Clear your camera app’s cache if AR stickers freeze: Settings > Apps > Camera > Storage > Clear Cache.

Troubleshooting

• AR Stickers option is missing in Google Camera — Ensure your device is compatible with ARCore. If it is, go to Play Store and update Google Play Services for AR. If still missing, try clearing the Google Camera app’s data (Settings > Apps > Google Camera > Storage > Clear Data). Note that this resets your camera settings.
• Stickers keep floating or sliding — This usually means the surface isn’t flat enough or the lighting is poor. Reposition the phone and tap the surface again to re-anchor.
• App crashes when opening AR mode — Close all background apps, restart your phone, and try again. If it persists, uninstall and reinstall the AR sticker app or Google Camera.
• No sound from AR stickers — Some stickers have sound effects. Check that your phone’s media volume is on and that the camera app has permission to use the microphone (for video).
• AR stickers not available in your region — Google’s AR Stickers were phased out on some devices after 2021. In that case, use a third-party app like AR Stickers for Android or Camera Go (if supported).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Pixel phone to get AR stickers?

No. While Google’s AR Stickers were originally exclusive to Pixel, many other Android phones support ARCore and can use similar features through Samsung’s AR Zone or third-party apps. Check if your device is ARCore-certified by visiting Google’s supported devices page.

Why can’t I find AR Stickers in my camera app?

Most likely your phone’s camera app doesn’t have the feature built-in. Try installing Google Camera (if compatible) or use a third-party AR sticker app from the Play Store.

Can I use AR stickers on videos?

Yes, most AR sticker apps allow you to record video with the stickers placed in the scene. On Google Camera, press and hold the shutter button to record.

How do I delete an AR sticker I placed?

In Google Camera, drag the sticker to the trash icon at the bottom. In Samsung AR Zone, tap the sticker and select the delete option (usually an X or trash icon).

Are AR stickers free?

Yes, all the built-in AR sticker packs on Google Camera and Samsung AR Zone are free. Some third-party apps may offer in-app purchases for extra packs, but the basic stickers are usually free.

Will AR stickers work on my phone if it doesn’t support ARCore?

No, true 3D AR stickers require ARCore (or Google Play Services for AR). If your phone isn’t supported, you can still use apps that overlay 2D stickers on your photos, but they won’t anchor to surfaces or move with perspective.

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