Stickers have become a fun and expressive way to communicate through iMessage on iPhones. Whether it’s animated emojis, cute animals, or brand-inspired icons, iPhone stickers can add personality and creativity to your conversations. But over time, these stickers can also clutter your Messages app, become outdated, or simply stop being useful.
If you’ve found yourself scrolling through a pile of sticker packs you no longer use, or accidentally sent the wrong one too many times, you’re not alone. Fortunately, Apple gives users simple ways to delete, hide, and manage stickers on iPhone. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to remove stickers from your iPhone, manage sticker apps, and declutter your Messages interface—step by step.
Let’s dive right in.
What Are Stickers on iPhone?
Stickers on iPhone are visual elements—usually static or animated images—that you can send within the Messages app. Some are built into iOS, while others are downloaded through the App Store or come bundled with certain apps like TikTok, Bitmoji, or Snapchat.
They fall into three main categories:
- iMessage Sticker Apps – Installed directly from the App Store through iMessage.
- Sticker Packs – Included within apps, often downloaded alongside games, social platforms, or emoji-based utilities.
- Custom Stickers – Created from photos or using third-party apps.
While these can be entertaining, they also take up space and can clutter your app drawer in Messages.
Why You Might Want to Delete Stickers
Here are some common reasons users want to delete stickers on their iPhone:
- Too much clutter in the iMessage app drawer
- Accidental sticker usage
- Outdated or irrelevant sticker packs
- Unwanted stickers from third-party apps
- Desire for a cleaner, faster messaging experience
Now that you understand the “why,” let’s get to the “how.”
How to Delete or Remove Sticker Packs in iMessage
If your main goal is to clean up the sticker list in your Messages app, this method is for you.
Step 1: Open the Messages App
Start by opening a new or existing message conversation. You’ll see the app drawer (row of icons) above your keyboard.
Step 2: Swipe Left in the App Drawer
Scroll through the app drawer until you reach the end. Tap the three-dot “More” icon to open the list of installed iMessage apps and stickers.
Step 3: Tap “Edit” (Top Right Corner)
Once inside the “More” section, tap Edit in the top right corner.
Step 4: Manage or Delete Stickers
You’ll now see a list of iMessage apps and stickers.
- To remove a sticker pack from the app drawer:
Toggle the switch off next to its name under the “FAVORITES” or “MORE APPS” section. - To delete a sticker app entirely:
Tap the red minus (-) button next to the sticker pack and confirm by tapping Delete.
Step 5: Tap “Done”
After hiding or deleting the sticker apps, tap Done twice to exit.
That’s it! The sticker pack will no longer appear in your iMessage drawer.
How to Delete Standalone Sticker Apps from iPhone
Some sticker packs are downloaded from the App Store just like regular apps. To completely remove them:
Method 1: Delete from Home Screen
- Locate the sticker app icon on your home screen.
- Tap and hold the app until a menu appears.
- Tap Remove App.
- Confirm by tapping Delete App.
Method 2: Delete from Settings
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Scroll to find the sticker app you want to delete.
- Tap on it and select Delete App.
This method also removes the sticker pack from Messages.
How to Remove Recently Used Stickers in iMessage
Even after deleting sticker packs, you might notice stickers you’ve used recently still appear in your Messages app.
Unfortunately, iOS does not currently offer a way to manually delete specific recent stickers. However, here’s what you can do:
Option 1: Clear Conversations
- Recently used stickers are often stored in active conversations. Deleting the entire conversation thread will remove the sticker history associated with it.
Warning: This also deletes all messages in that thread.
Option 2: Wait for Auto-Removal
- Over time, new stickers will replace older ones in the “recent” list automatically.
While not a perfect fix, these methods help reduce visibility of unwanted stickers over time.
How to Prevent Stickers from Sending Accidentally
Some users accidentally send stickers when swiping or tapping near the iMessage drawer. Here’s how to minimize that:
Option 1: Hide the App Drawer
When you’re in a conversation:
- Tap the gray App Store icon to the left of the text box.
- This collapses the app drawer so stickers are hidden.
Tap it again to reopen it if needed.
Option 2: Remove from Favorites
Go to the More > Edit section in iMessage as explained earlier and remove sticker packs from favorites. This will keep them out of sight.
How to Manage Sticker App Permissions
Some sticker apps might request access to your location, contacts, or microphone—often unnecessarily. You can review and manage permissions:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Review app permissions and toggle off any unnecessary access.
- Alternatively, go to Settings > [Sticker App Name] and review individual settings.
Keeping permissions in check protects your privacy and reduces background activity.
Tips to Keep Your iMessage App Drawer Organized
Now that you’ve deleted the unnecessary sticker packs, here are a few tips to keep things neat:
1. Use Favorites Wisely
Only add the sticker apps you use regularly to your favorites. This keeps the drawer short and easy to navigate.
2. Regularly Review Installed Apps
Once a month, go through the iMessage drawer to remove apps you no longer use.
3. Don’t Install Every Fun Pack
It’s tempting to try every funny sticker pack, but many are low-quality or only used once. Install with purpose.
How to Turn Off Auto-Download of Sticker Apps
Some apps automatically install a sticker pack when you download them from the App Store—even if you don’t want one. Here’s how to prevent that:
Step 1: Go to Settings
Open Settings > Messages.
Step 2: Tap “iMessage Apps”
Look for a toggle labeled Automatically Add Apps.
Step 3: Turn It Off
Disabling this will prevent iMessage from automatically installing sticker packs when you download a compatible app.
You can always add them manually later if desired.
Can You Delete Individual Stickers Sent in a Conversation?
If you accidentally sent a sticker and want to remove it from a message thread:
Option 1: Delete Your Message (iOS 16 or later)
- Long-press the sticker message.
- Tap Undo Send (only available within a short time window).
Option 2: Remove Sticker from Another Message
If you placed a sticker on top of someone else’s message (as an overlay):
- Tap and hold the sticker.
- Tap Sticker Details.
- Swipe left on the sticker and tap Delete.
This removes the sticker from the message, but only if it was placed on top—not as a standalone message.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Messaging Experience
Stickers can make messaging more fun and expressive, but they can also become cluttered and overwhelming over time. Fortunately, Apple makes it easy to delete, hide, and manage sticker apps and sticker packs directly on your iPhone.
Whether you’re looking to clean up your app drawer, stop sticker overload, or just streamline your messaging interface, the steps in this guide give you full control. From quick deletions to deeper privacy management, you now know everything you need to maintain a clean, efficient, and personalized iMessage experience.
Take a few minutes today to clear out the stickers you don’t need—you’ll enjoy a faster, cleaner messaging interface that works just the way you want it to.
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