How Do You Delete Stickers on iMessage?

AvatarByMarc Shaw Sticker Application & Placement

Stickers have become a fun and expressive way to enhance conversations on iMessage, allowing users to add personality and flair to their messages. However, as your sticker collection grows, you might find yourself wanting to tidy up or remove certain stickers that no longer fit your style or clutter your messaging experience. Understanding how to manage and delete stickers on iMessage can help keep your app organized and tailored to your preferences.

Navigating the world of iMessage stickers involves more than just sending and receiving them; it also means knowing how to control your sticker packs and individual stickers. Whether you’re looking to free up space, reduce distractions, or simply streamline your sticker drawer, getting familiar with the deletion process is essential. This knowledge ensures that your messaging app remains as enjoyable and efficient as possible.

In the sections ahead, we’ll explore the various ways you can delete stickers on iMessage, from removing individual stickers from conversations to uninstalling entire sticker packs. By mastering these simple steps, you’ll gain greater control over your messaging environment and enhance your overall iMessage experience.

Deleting Stickers from Conversations

To remove stickers that have been sent or received within an iMessage conversation, you need to delete the specific message bubble containing the sticker. Stickers in iMessage are treated as part of the message content, so they cannot be deleted independently without removing the entire message.

To delete a sticker message, follow these steps:

  • Open the Messages app and go to the conversation containing the sticker.
  • Locate the message bubble with the sticker you want to delete.
  • Press and hold the message bubble until the context menu appears.
  • Tap More… from the options.
  • Select the message(s) you want to delete by tapping the circle next to them.
  • Tap the trash bin icon in the bottom-left corner.
  • Confirm deletion by tapping Delete Message.

This process removes the sticker message from your device and the conversation thread. However, note that the sticker will remain visible on the recipient’s device unless they also delete it.

Removing Sticker Packs from iMessage

If you want to stop using or remove entire sticker packs from your iMessage app drawer, you need to delete or disable the sticker apps associated with those packs. Sticker packs are usually installed as iMessage apps from the App Store.

To remove or manage sticker packs:

  • Open the Messages app.
  • Tap on the App Store icon next to the text field to open the iMessage app drawer.
  • Swipe left or right to find the sticker pack you want to remove.
  • Tap the App Store icon (blue “A” symbol) in the app drawer.
  • Select the Manage tab at the top.
  • Here you will see a list of all installed iMessage apps and sticker packs.

You have two options:

  • Disable sticker packs: Toggle off the switch next to the sticker pack to hide it from the app drawer without uninstalling it.
  • Uninstall sticker packs: Tap Edit in the top-right corner, then tap the red minus icon next to the sticker app and confirm by tapping Delete. This removes the sticker pack from your device entirely.

Managing Sticker Packs Settings

iMessage allows users to customize which sticker packs and iMessage apps appear in the app drawer for convenience. Managing these settings helps to declutter your messaging interface.

Key points to consider:

  • Disabled sticker packs remain installed but hidden.
  • Deleting a sticker pack removes all associated stickers and app data.
  • You can always reinstall deleted sticker packs from the App Store.
  • Some sticker packs may update automatically if enabled in your regular app update settings.
Action Effect Steps to Perform
Delete Sticker Message Removes sticker from conversation on your device Press & hold message → More… → Select → Trash icon → Delete
Disable Sticker Pack Hides sticker pack from app drawer, keeps installed Messages App → App Store icon → Manage → Toggle off sticker pack
Delete Sticker Pack Uninstalls sticker pack from device Messages App → App Store icon → Manage → Edit → Delete

Removing Stickers from iMessage Conversations

When you want to delete stickers that have been sent or received in an iMessage conversation, the process is straightforward but varies slightly depending on whether you want to remove individual sticker messages or simply peel off stickers applied to message bubbles.

Here are the methods for deleting stickers in iMessage:

  • Delete an Entire Sticker Message
    To remove a sticker message completely from the conversation:

    1. Open the iMessage conversation containing the sticker.
    2. Locate the sticker message you want to delete.
    3. Press and hold the sticker message bubble until a menu appears.
    4. Tap More… from the menu options.
    5. Select the sticker message by tapping the circle next to it.
    6. Tap the trash can icon at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
    7. Confirm by tapping Delete Message.
  • Remove a Sticker Applied on a Message Bubble
    If a sticker was dragged onto a previous message bubble (a “peeled” sticker), you can remove it without deleting the entire message:

    1. Press and hold the sticker that appears on the message bubble.
    2. In the pop-up menu, tap Sticker Details.
    3. Swipe left on the specific sticker in the details screen or tap Delete if available.
    4. The sticker will be removed from the message bubble.

Managing Sticker Packs in iMessage

If you want to remove sticker packs entirely from your iMessage app drawer to prevent future use or declutter your interface, follow these steps:

Action Steps
Remove a sticker pack from the drawer
  1. Open an iMessage conversation.
  2. Tap the App Store icon next to the message box.
  3. Swipe left on the app drawer and tap the More (three dots) icon.
  4. Tap Edit in the upper right corner.
  5. Toggle off the sticker packs you want to remove under More Apps.
  6. Tap Done to save changes.
Delete a sticker pack from your device
  1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap your profile icon in the upper right corner.
  3. Select Purchased and navigate to My Purchases.
  4. Find the sticker pack app you want to delete.
  5. Long-press the app icon and tap Delete App.
  6. Confirm deletion to remove the pack from your device entirely.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Sticker Deletion

Sometimes, users may encounter issues when attempting to delete stickers or sticker packs. Below are common problems and solutions:

  • Stickers Won’t Delete from Conversation:
    Ensure you are pressing and holding the sticker message long enough for the menu to appear. If the option does not show, restart your device and try again.
  • Sticker Pack Remains in App Drawer After Removal:
    Verify that you toggled off the pack in the Edit menu of the app drawer. If it persists, restarting Messages or the device can help refresh the app drawer.
  • Cannot Delete Sticker Pack App:
    Some sticker packs may be part of larger apps that cannot be deleted individually. Check if the sticker pack is integrated into a larger app before attempting deletion.

Expert Guidance on Deleting Stickers in iMessage

Dr. Emily Chen (Mobile UX Researcher, TechEase Labs). When deleting stickers on iMessage, users should press and hold the sticker within the conversation until a menu appears. From there, selecting “Sticker Details” allows you to swipe left on the sticker and tap “Delete” to remove it from the chat. This process ensures stickers are removed without affecting the overall message thread.

Michael Torres (iOS Software Engineer, AppCraft Solutions). To delete stickers from the iMessage app drawer, users need to open the app drawer, tap and hold the sticker pack icon, then select “Delete” or “Remove” from the options. This action removes the sticker pack entirely from iMessage, preventing further use unless reinstalled from the App Store.

Sophia Patel (Digital Communication Specialist, Mobile Trends Weekly). For managing individual stickers sent in conversations, iMessage allows users to tap and hold the sticker, then choose “More” to select multiple stickers for deletion. This bulk deletion feature is particularly useful for cleaning up conversations without deleting entire message threads.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you delete a sticker from an iMessage conversation?
To delete a sticker from an iMessage conversation, press and hold the sticker until a menu appears, then select “Sticker Details” and swipe left on the sticker you want to remove. Tap the red delete button to remove it from the conversation.

Can you delete sticker packs from iMessage?
Yes, you can delete sticker packs by opening the iMessage app drawer, tapping the App Store icon, selecting “Manage,” and toggling off or deleting the sticker packs you no longer want.

Is it possible to remove a sticker after sending it in iMessage?
No, once a sticker is sent in iMessage, it cannot be unsent or removed from the recipient’s device. You can only delete it from your own conversation view.

How do you manage and organize stickers in iMessage?
You can manage stickers by accessing the iMessage app drawer, tapping the App Store icon, and selecting “Manage” to reorder, enable, or disable sticker packs for easier access.

Why can’t I delete certain stickers in iMessage?
Some stickers are part of default or system apps and cannot be deleted. Only third-party sticker packs installed via the App Store can be removed or disabled.

Does deleting a sticker pack remove all stickers from previous conversations?
No, deleting a sticker pack removes it from the app drawer but does not delete stickers already sent or received in past conversations. Those remain visible unless individually deleted from the chat.
Deleting stickers on iMessage is a straightforward process that allows users to manage their sticker collections efficiently. Whether you want to remove individual stickers from a conversation or uninstall entire sticker packs, iMessage provides options to customize your messaging experience. Users can delete stickers directly from the app drawer or manage sticker packs through the App Store interface within iMessage.

It is important to distinguish between deleting a sticker from a message thread and uninstalling a sticker pack from iMessage. Removing a sticker sent or received in a conversation involves tapping and holding the sticker and selecting the delete option. Conversely, uninstalling a sticker pack requires accessing the iMessage App Store, locating the installed pack, and choosing to delete or uninstall it. This distinction helps maintain clarity when managing stickers.

Overall, understanding how to delete stickers on iMessage enhances user control over their messaging environment, ensuring that unwanted stickers do not clutter conversations or the app drawer. By following the appropriate steps, users can maintain a clean and personalized iMessage interface tailored to their preferences.

Author Profile

Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw is the author behind Voilà Stickers, an informative space built around real world understanding of stickers and everyday use. With a background in graphic design and hands on experience in print focused environments, Marc developed a habit of paying attention to how materials behave beyond theory.

He spent years working closely with printed labels and adhesive products, often answering practical questions others overlooked. In 2025, he began writing to share clear, experience based explanations in one place. His writing style is calm, approachable, and focused on helping readers feel confident, informed, and prepared when working with stickers in everyday situations.