How to Make Live Stickers in iOS 17

Live stickers in iOS 17 let you turn any Live Photo into an animated sticker that you can use in Messages, Mail, and other apps. This guide walks you through creating your first live sticker from a photo you already have, then shows you how to add effects and manage your sticker collection.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone or iPad running iOS 17 or later (or iPadOS 17)
A Live Photo (taken with the Live Photo feature enabled) stored in your Photos app
iMessage or another app that supports stickers for testing

Step-by-Step

Open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.
Find a Live Photo you want to turn into a sticker. Look for the circular Live Photo icon (three concentric circles) in the top-left corner of the photo when viewing it full screen. If you don’t see it, the photo isn’t a Live Photo.
Tap and hold on the subject of the photo. After a moment, the subject will be outlined with a white glow, indicating that iOS has detected and lifted it from the background. If the outline doesn’t appear, try a photo with a clearer subject and simpler background.
Release your finger when the glow appears. A context menu will pop up with options like “Copy,” “Share,” and “Add Sticker.”
Tap “Add Sticker”. The sticker is added to your sticker drawer, which you can access in the emoji keyboard or in Messages.
To add an effect (optional): After tapping “Add Sticker,” a preview appears with an “Add Effect” button. Tap it and choose from options like “Outline,” “Comic,” “Puffy,” or “Shiny.” The effect applies to the static version of the sticker, not the animation.
To use your sticker: Open Messages and start a conversation. Tap the plus (+) button next to the text field, then tap “Stickers.” Your new live sticker will appear in the “My Stickers” section. Tap it to send it, or drag it onto a message bubble.

Common Mistakes

Using a non-Live Photo: If the photo doesn’t have the Live Photo icon, it won’t animate. Check that Live Photo was enabled when you took the picture.
Subject not detected: If the glow doesn’t appear, the subject may be too complex (e.g., a person with flying hair) or blend into the background. Try a photo with a clear, distinct subject.
Expecting effects to animate: Effects like “Comic” or “Puffy” apply only to the static sticker. The live animation remains the original Live Photo motion.
Sticker not showing in Messages: Make sure you’ve added it via “Add Sticker” and then check the “My Stickers” section in the sticker picker, not the emoji keyboard directly.

Tips

Use a short, clear motion: Live Photos with a small, smooth movement (like a wave or a jump) work best. Too much motion can make the sticker look chaotic.
Remove the background before adding: If the automatic subject detection isn’t perfect, you can use the “Remove Background” feature (tap the subject and choose “Copy” then paste into a new photo) before creating the sticker.
Organize your stickers: You can rearrange stickers in the “My Stickers” section by tapping and holding, then dragging. Delete by tapping the “…” icon and selecting “Remove Sticker.”
Combine with reactions: Drag a live sticker onto a message bubble to send it as a reaction. It will animate when the recipient taps it.

Troubleshooting

No “Add Sticker” option appears: Make sure you’re on iOS 17 or later. If you are, restart your iPhone and try again. If the subject isn’t detected, try a different photo.
Sticker is static (not animating): Verify that the original photo is a Live Photo (check the icon). If it is, try re-adding the sticker. If the sticker still doesn’t animate, the photo may have been converted to a still image (e.g., when sent via certain apps).
Sticker doesn’t appear in Messages: Go to Settings > Messages > Stickers and make sure “Stickers” is toggled on. Also, ensure you’re using the plus button in Messages, not the camera or photos app.
Subject outline is wrong: The automatic detection may include extra background. Try a photo with a simpler background, or manually remove the background using the “Copy” and “Paste” method before making the sticker.
Sticker is blurry: Live Photos are lower resolution than stills. Use a well-lit photo with minimal motion blur for best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a live sticker from a video?

No, live stickers require a Live Photo. You can convert a video to a Live Photo using third-party apps, but there’s no built-in way to do it directly.

Can I use live stickers in apps other than Messages?

Yes, any app that supports the system sticker picker (like Mail or Notes) can use them. Drag the sticker from the picker into the text field or onto content.

How do I delete a live sticker?

Open the sticker picker in Messages, go to “My Stickers,” tap the “…” (more) button, then tap “Edit.” Tap the minus button on the sticker and confirm deletion.

Can I share a live sticker with someone else?

You can send it in a message, but there’s no direct way to export a sticker as a standalone file. The recipient can save it from the message by tapping and holding and choosing “Add Sticker.”

Do live stickers work on older iOS versions?

No, live stickers are a feature of iOS 17 and later. Recipients on older versions will see a static sticker.

Why does my sticker have a background?

The automatic subject detection may not be perfect. Try a photo with a clear subject and plain background, or manually remove the background using the “Copy” and “Paste” method before adding the sticker.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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