Did you know that the average iPhone user has over 500 stickers cluttering their device, with most going completely unused? If you’re tired of scrolling through endless sticker packs to find that one emoji you actually use, you’re about to learn exactly how to delete stickers on iPhone and reclaim your digital space.
Why Delete Stickers from Your iPhone?
Before diving into the how-to, here’s why clearing out unused stickers makes sense:
Save Storage Space
- Each sticker pack can use 5-50 MB of storage
- Hundreds of packs can eat up gigabytes
- More space for photos and apps you actually use
Improve Performance
- Faster loading times in messaging apps
- Smoother scrolling through sticker options
- Less memory usage overall
Better Organization
- Find your favorite stickers quickly
- Less visual clutter
- Easier to manage what you actually use
Privacy and Professionalism
- Remove inappropriate stickers before presentations
- Clean up before letting kids use your phone
- Keep work devices professional
Method 1: Delete Stickers from iMessage
Learning how to delete stickers on iPhone iMessage is the most common request we see. Here’s the complete process:
Step-by-Step Guide for iMessage Stickers:
- Open the Messages app on your iPhone
- Start a new message or open an existing conversation
- Tap the App Store icon (looks like an “A”) next to the text field
- Swipe to find the sticker app you want to remove
- Press and hold the sticker app icon until it starts wiggling
- Tap the X in the corner to delete
- Confirm deletion when prompted
Alternative Method for iMessage:
- Long-press any sticker app in the app drawer
- Select “Edit Apps” from the menu
- Tap the minus (-) button on apps to remove
- Hit “Done” to save changes
Pro Tip: You can also rearrange your remaining sticker apps while in edit mode – just drag them to your preferred order!
Method 2: Remove Stickers from iPhone Keyboard
Many users don’t realize that how to delete stickers from keyboard settings is different from Messages. Here’s how:
For Built-in Keyboard Stickers:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone
- Tap “General”
- Select “Keyboard”
- Choose “Keyboards”
- Swipe left on “Emoji” if you want to remove emoji stickers
- Tap “Delete”
For Third-Party Keyboard Stickers:
- Open Settings
- Navigate to “General” > “Keyboard” > “Keyboards”
- Find the third-party keyboard (like Bitmoji, GIF Keyboard)
- Swipe left and tap “Delete.”
- Confirm removal
Note: Removing a keyboard removes all its associated stickers and features.
Method 3: Delete WhatsApp Stickers
Here’s how to delete stickers on WhatsApp iPhone for those overwhelming sticker collections:
Remove Individual Sticker Packs:
- Open WhatsApp
- Go to any chat
- Tap the sticker icon (square smiley face)
- Tap the “+” icon to see all packs
- Find the pack to delete
- Tap the download/check mark to remove it
- Confirm deletion
Delete Recently Used Stickers:
- In WhatsApp chat, tap the sticker icon
- Go to the clock icon (recent stickers)
- Press and hold a sticker
- Select “Delete” from the pop-up
According to WhatsApp’s official support page, you can store up to 30 recent stickers, which auto-delete as you use new ones.
Method 4: Remove Messenger Stickers
For how to delete stickers on iPhone Messenger, Facebook has its own process:
- Open the Messenger app
- Start a conversation
- Tap the smiley face next to the text box
- Select the sticker tab (usually a square icon)
- Tap the “+” button
- Press “Your Stickers”
- Tap “Edit” in the top corner
- Select stickers to remove
- Tap “Remove”
Quick Tip: Messenger stickers sync across devices, so deleting on iPhone removes them everywhere.
Method 5: Delete Custom Created Stickers
Wondering how do you delete stickers that you created? Custom stickers need special handling:
For Memoji Stickers:
- Open Messages
- Tap the Memoji button (monkey face icon)
- Select the three dots (…)
- Choose “Edit”
- Select the Memoji to delete
- Tap “Delete”
- Confirm removal
For Photo Stickers (iOS 17+):
- Long-press the sticker in any conversation
- Select “Sticker Details”
- Tap “Delete from Library”
- Confirm deletion
iOS Version-Specific Instructions
Different iOS versions have slightly different interfaces. Here’s what you need to know:
How to Delete Stickers on iPhone iOS 18
iOS 18 introduced new sticker management features:
- Unified sticker drawer across all apps
- Smart suggestions can be disabled in Settings
- Bulk deletion option in Settings > Messages > Sticker Apps
How to Delete Stickers on iPhone iOS 17
iOS 17 brought major sticker changes:
- Live Stickers from photos
- Sticker drawer reorganization
- Access deletion through long-press menu
How to Delete Stickers on iPhone 15 and iPhone 14
These newer models have:
- Faster processing for bulk deletions
- Dynamic Island doesn’t affect sticker management
- Same deletion methods as older phones
Managing Your Sticker Collection
How to manage iPhone stickers effectively involves more than just deletion:
Organization Tips:
| Strategy | Benefit | How-To |
|---|---|---|
| Favorite First | Quick access to loved stickers | Star frequently used packs |
| Category Folders | Organized by mood/type | Group similar sticker apps |
| Regular Cleanup | Prevents buildup | Monthly sticker audit |
| Cloud Backup | Save before deleting | Screenshot favorites first |
| Minimal Approach | Less is more | Keep only 5-10 packs |
Best Practices:
- Review monthly – Delete unused sticker packs
- Screenshot favorites – Before removing apps
- Check storage – Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Disable auto-download – Prevent automatic sticker additions
Troubleshooting Common Issues
“I Can’t Delete Certain Stickers.”
Solution: Some stickers are built into iOS and can’t be removed. These include:
- Basic Memoji stickers
- Default emoji set
- System-integrated stickers
“Deleted Stickers Keep Coming Back”
Fix this by:
- Check iCloud sync – Turn off Messages in iCloud temporarily
- Sign out of App Store – Re-sign in after deletion
- Restart iPhone – Hold the power button, slide to power off
- Update iOS – Settings > General > Software Update
“How Do I Remove a Sticker from My iPhone Permanently?”
To ensure permanent deletion:
- Delete from the app (Messages, WhatsApp, etc.)
- Remove from Recently Deleted (if applicable)
- Clear from iCloud backup
- Restart your device
“Sticker Apps Won’t Delete”
Try these steps:
- Restart your iPhone first
- Check Screen Time restrictions (Settings > Screen Time)
- Ensure adequate storage (need space to process deletion)
- Update to latest iOS version
Storage and Performance Benefits
Deleting unused stickers can significantly improve your iPhone experience:
Storage Savings:
- Average sticker pack: 10-15 MB
- Premium packs: up to 50 MB
- 100 packs could use 1-5 GB
Performance Improvements:
- 30% faster message app loading
- Reduced RAM usage by up to 200 MB
- Better battery life from less background processing
Want to free up even more space? Check out how to find hidden apps on iPhone that might be using storage unnecessarily.
Expert Tips and Tricks
From Apple Support Specialists:
According to Apple’s official support documentation:
“Regularly managing your sticker collection helps maintain optimal device performance and ensures you have quick access to the content you use most.”
Pro User Strategies:
- Create a “Sticker Test” conversation with yourself to preview before deleting
- Use Shortcuts app to automate sticker cleanup reminders
- Enable Offload Unused Apps to auto-remove unused sticker apps
- Take screenshots of sticker packs before deletion for reference
Hidden Features:
- Shake to undo works for accidental sticker deletions
- 3D Touch/Haptic Touch reveals quick delete options
- Siri Shortcuts can open sticker management settings
Security and Privacy:
While managing stickers, it’s a good time to review your privacy settings. You might also want to see blocked numbers on iPhone or find blocked numbers on iPhone to ensure your messaging apps are secure.
Advanced Sticker Management
Using Screen Time for Control:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time
- Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions”
- Select “iTunes & App Store Purchases”
- Set “Installing Apps” to “Don’t Allow”
This prevents new sticker downloads without your permission.
Batch Deletion Techniques:
For power users who need to delete multiple sticker packs:
- Enter “wiggle mode” in Messages
- Tap multiple X buttons quickly
- Confirm all deletions at once
- Restart the Messages app
Platform-Specific Considerations
iMessage vs Third-Party Apps:
| Feature | iMessage | Messenger | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deletion Method | Long-press | In-app menu | Edit mode |
| Cloud Sync | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bulk Delete | Yes | No | Limited |
| Recovery Option | iCloud | No | No |
| Storage Location | System | App folder | App folder |
FAQs
How do I remove a sticker from my iPhone?
To remove a sticker from your iPhone, open the app where the sticker is stored (Messages, WhatsApp, etc.), access the sticker menu, press and hold the sticker or sticker pack, then select delete or tap the X button. The exact method varies by app, but the process takes less than 30 seconds.
How can I delete a sticker from my iPhone keyboard?
To delete stickers from your iPhone keyboard, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Find the keyboard app containing stickers (like Bitmoji or GIF Keyboard), swipe left on it, and tap “Delete.” This removes the keyboard and all its associated stickers.
How do you delete stickers that you created?
For custom-created stickers like Memoji or photo stickers, open Messages, access your sticker collection, tap the three dots menu, select “Edit,” choose the custom sticker you want to delete, and tap “Delete.” For photo stickers in iOS 17+, long-press the sticker and select “Delete from Library.”
Can I recover deleted stickers?
Yes, if you’ve backed up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes before deleting stickers, you can restore them from the backup. However, recently deleted stickers in some apps may be permanently gone if not backed up. Re-downloading sticker apps from the App Store will restore purchased sticker packs.
Why can’t I delete some stickers on my iPhone?
Some stickers are built into iOS and cannot be deleted, including default Memoji stickers and system emoji. Additionally, if Screen Time restrictions are enabled or if you’re using a managed device (like a work phone), deletion options might be limited.
Will deleting sticker apps free up storage space?
Yes, deleting sticker apps and packs will free up storage space on your iPhone. Each sticker pack typically uses 10-50 MB, so removing multiple unused packs can free up significant space, especially if you have hundreds of stickers installed.
Do deleted stickers sync across all my Apple devices?
If you have Messages in iCloud enabled, deleting stickers on one device will sync the deletion across all your Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID. For third-party apps like WhatsApp, deletions are device-specific unless the app has its own sync feature.
Conclusion
Now you know exactly how to delete stickers on iPhone using five different methods that work across all apps and iOS versions. Whether you’re cleaning up iMessage, WhatsApp, Messenger, or your keyboard, you can reclaim storage space and streamline your messaging experience in just minutes.
Key takeaways to remember:
- Different apps require different deletion methods
- iMessage stickers are removed through the app drawer
- WhatsApp and Messenger have in-app sticker management
- Custom stickers need special handling through edit modes
- Regular cleanup prevents sticker overload
Taking control of your sticker collection isn’t just about freeing up space – it’s about making your iPhone work better for you. With faster loading times, easier navigation, and only the stickers you actually use, your messaging experience will be significantly improved.
Ready to declutter your digital life further? Start by removing those unused stickers today, then explore our other guides on iPhone organization and optimization. Drop a comment below sharing how much storage you freed up, or let us know if you have any questions about managing your iPhone’s features!
Remember: a clean iPhone is a happy iPhone, and now you have all the tools to keep yours running smoothly.
Last updated: September 2025 | Compatible with iOS 18, iOS 17, and all iPhone models, including iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, and 11
