How to Add Stickers on WhatsApp
Four ways to get stickers into WhatsApp — from a photo, from a pack app, from a shared pack link, or from a downloaded PNG — plus where to find them and how to fix packs that will not show.
Updated 2026-07-06 · 6 min read · by StickerSit
Making a sticker and adding it to WhatsApp are two different steps, and the adding part is where most people get stuck. The good news is that WhatsApp now accepts stickers from several sources, so whatever you have — a photo, a pack link from a friend, or a downloaded PNG — there is a straightforward way to load it into your sticker tray. This guide walks through each method and ends with troubleshooting for the most common problem: a pack that will not appear.
First: where your stickers live
In any chat, tap the sticker face icon next to the text field, then switch to the sticker tab. Your installed packs sit in a row at the bottom — swipe left and right to move between packs, and scroll up and down inside a pack. Everything below adds new stickers into this tray.
Add a sticker from a photo (built-in)
WhatsApp’s built-in maker turns any photo into a sticker without an extra app. It is the fastest path when you already have a clear photo.
- In a chat, tap the attachment (clip) icon.
- Choose Sticker, then select a photo.
- WhatsApp removes the background automatically; adjust the crop if needed.
- Send it. It saves to your tray for reuse.
Add stickers through a pack app
A pack app is the reliable way to add several stickers at once, especially from PNGs you generated or downloaded.
iPhone — Sticker Maker: create a new pack, add your images, tap Add to WhatsApp, and confirm the prompt. The pack appears in your tray immediately.
Android — Personal Stickers for WhatsApp: create a pack, select your transparent PNG images, and tap Add to WhatsApp. Pairs perfectly with AI-generated PNGs.
Both apps handle the 512×512 resize and WebP conversion for you — see our sticker size guide for the exact specs.
Add a pack a friend sent you
When a friend sends a sticker from a pack you do not have, you can grab just that sticker or the whole pack.
Single sticker: tap and hold the sticker in the chat, then choose Add sticker.
Whole pack: tap and hold a sticker and look for Add pack, or open a shared pack link and confirm the install.
Add a downloaded PNG or AI sticker
Generated a sticker online or downloaded one? Save the PNG to your device, then import it through a pack app as in Method 2. You can make one here and download it now:
Prompt PresetsCATALOG
⚽ Limited Edition
WC 2026 Expansion
Specialized tournament presets
“Standard lab protocols apply for tournament output”
Adding animated stickers
WhatsApp supports animated stickers in APNG or animated WebP. The simplest route is a sticker maker app that exports animated stickers straight to WhatsApp, or an animated pack installed from a shared link. Keep animated stickers under about 500 KB and roughly 10–16 fps for smooth playback.
Troubleshooting: pack not showing
Adding stickers FAQ
Where do I find my stickers in WhatsApp?▾
Open any chat, tap the emoji/sticker face icon next to the text field, then switch to the sticker tab (the square smiley). Your installed packs appear in a row at the bottom — swipe left and right to switch between packs, and scroll up and down inside a pack to see its stickers.
Why is my sticker pack not showing up?▾
The pack may still be installing — close and reopen the sticker tray. If it still does not appear, the pack app did not add it successfully: open the pack app, confirm WhatsApp is selected as the target, and tap Add to WhatsApp again. On Android, also check that WhatsApp has the permissions the pack app needs.
How do I add a sticker pack a friend sent me?▾
When someone sends a sticker from a pack you do not have, tap and hold the sticker and choose 'Add sticker' to save just that one, or look for an 'Add pack' option to install the whole pack. You can also tap a shared pack link to open it and confirm the install.
Can I add an animated sticker to WhatsApp?▾
Yes. WhatsApp supports animated stickers in APNG or animated WebP format. The easiest route is a sticker maker app that exports animated stickers and adds them directly to WhatsApp, or an animated sticker pack you install from a shared link.
How do I add a PNG I downloaded to WhatsApp?▾
Install a sticker pack app (Sticker Maker on iPhone, Personal Stickers for WhatsApp on Android), create a new pack, and import the PNG. The app resizes it to 512×512, converts it to WebP, and adds the pack to WhatsApp. From there it appears in your sticker tray.
Can I add stickers to WhatsApp Web?▾
You can use and send installed stickers on WhatsApp Web, and WhatsApp Web has a built-in sticker maker that turns an attached photo into a sticker. Managing whole packs — installing, reordering, deleting — is easier on the phone app, where most pack tools live.
Related Guides
Make a sticker, then add it
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