Using photo stickers on your iPhone, especially with features introduced in iOS 17, allows you to personalize your conversations and images with custom stickers created directly from your photos. This process involves turning subjects from your pictures into stickers, accessing them from a dedicated drawer, and even adding unique visual effects.
Creating Photo Stickers from Your Images
The first step to using photo stickers is often creating them. Your iPhone's advanced image recognition allows you to effortlessly lift subjects from any photo and turn them into a reusable sticker.
- Open the Photos App: Navigate to the picture you wish to turn into a sticker.
- Lift the Subject: Long-press on the subject of the photo (e.g., a pet, person, or object). You'll see a white glowing outline briefly appear around it, indicating it has been successfully recognized.
- Add as Sticker: A pop-up menu will appear. Tap "Add Sticker". This automatically saves your new sticker to your sticker drawer.
Accessing and Organizing Your Sticker Drawer
Once created, your stickers are stored in a central location, making them accessible across various apps. The reference specifically mentions "stickers to open the sticker drawer," which is your hub for all custom and pre-installed stickers.
- In Messages:
- Open an iMessage conversation.
- Tap the "+" icon next to the text input field.
- Select "Stickers" from the menu. This opens your sticker drawer, displaying all your custom creations, Memoji stickers, and sticker packs.
- From here, you can drag and drop stickers directly onto message bubbles to react to specific texts, or tap them to send them as a new message.
- In Photos Markup:
- When editing a photo, tap the Markup icon (a pen tip).
- Tap the "+" icon in the Markup toolbar.
- Select "Sticker" to open your sticker drawer and add them to your images.
Applying Creative Effects to Your Stickers
Beyond just creating a sticker, iOS allows you to enhance them with various effects, adding personality and flair. As highlighted in the reference, you "can add some cool effects to these like outline. Or comic puffy adds a nice depth effect that. Changes as you tilt your phone."
To add effects to a custom sticker:
- Access the Sticker Drawer: Open the sticker drawer in an app like Messages.
- Select Your Sticker: Long-press on the custom sticker you wish to modify.
- Tap "Add Effect": A menu will appear with various options.
- Choose an Effect:
Effect Name | Description | Visual Impact |
---|---|---|
Outline | Adds a distinct white border around the subject. | Makes the sticker stand out more prominently. |
Comic | Gives the sticker a stylized, halftone comic book appearance. | Transforms the sticker with a graphic novel look. |
Puffy | Creates a three-dimensional, embossed effect with dynamic depth. | Adds a tactile, raised appearance that changes as you tilt your phone, providing an engaging visual experience. |
Shiny | Applies a glossy, reflective finish. | Gives the sticker a polished, radiant sheen. |
Practical Ways to Use Your Photo Stickers
Once you've created and customized your photo stickers, the possibilities for integrating them into your digital communications are diverse:
- Enhance iMessage Conversations: Drag and drop stickers onto any message bubble in an iMessage chat to add a quick reaction or emphasize a point. They stick directly to the message.
- Send as Standalone Messages: Simply tap a sticker in the drawer to send it as a new, larger message bubble.
- Decorate Photos and Screenshots: Use the Markup tool within the Photos app to layer your custom stickers onto any image, creating unique collages or personalized memes.
- Use in FaceTime: Add stickers to your video feed during FaceTime calls for expressive communication.
Managing Your Stickers
To remove a sticker you've created:
- Open the Sticker Drawer: In Messages, tap the "+" icon, then "Stickers."
- Long-press the Sticker: Hold down on the sticker you wish to delete.
- Tap "Delete": Confirm your choice to remove it from your collection.