Apple’s iOS 17 includes Live Stickers, allowing iPhone users to create animated stickers from Live Photos, although the built-in tools offer fewer editing options than many Android keyboards and sticker apps.
A Live Sticker can be created by opening the Photos app, selecting a Live Photo or another clear image, long-pressing the subject until it is highlighted, and tapping Add Sticker. The sticker is then saved to the Stickers library in Messages.
If the source image is a Live Photo, the sticker animates when sent through iMessage. Stickers created from still photos remain static.
Sticker effects in Messages
Within the Messages app, users can customise stickers by:
- Opening a conversation and tapping the Stickers icon.
- Long-pressing a sticker and selecting Add Effects.
- Applying styles such as Outline, Puffy, Comic, or Shiny.
- Turning the Live option on or off to switch between animated and static versions.
These effects are available only within Apple’s Messages ecosystem.
How iPhone differs from Android
Android devices, particularly those using Gboard or manufacturer-provided keyboards, often allow users to import GIFs as stickers, resize or rotate them during chats, and apply simple edits across messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
By comparison, iOS does not provide a system-wide tool for editing GIFs as stickers and keeps most sticker features within iMessage.
Third-party alternatives
Users looking for more flexible sticker editing can use third-party apps.
GIPHY and GIPHY Sticker Maker allow users to:
- Upload photos or short videos.
- Remove backgrounds using selection tools.
- Apply animation effects and outlines.
- Save or upload GIF-style stickers for sharing.
Dedicated Sticker Maker apps available on the App Store typically support creating sticker packs, importing photos, videos or GIFs, removing backgrounds, adding text or emojis, adjusting animations where supported, and exporting stickers for iMessage or other platforms.
Another option is to edit GIFs in a browser-based editor such as Clideo GIF Editor. Users can trim clips, change playback speed, add text or stickers, export the finished GIF, save it to Photos, and share it directly or import it into a sticker-making app.
TL;DR:
iPhone users can create animated Live Stickers in iOS 17 and apply basic effects in iMessage. More advanced GIF and sticker editing requires third-party apps such as GIPHY, Sticker Maker apps, or online GIF editors.
Key points:
- iOS 17 supports animated Live Stickers created from Live Photos.
- Built-in sticker effects include Outline, Puffy, Comic and Shiny.
- Sticker editing is largely limited to iMessage.
- Third-party apps provide background removal, animation and GIF editing.
- Online GIF editors can also be used before exporting stickers or GIFs.
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