How Do You Delete a Sticker 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, sometimes a sticker might be sent by mistake, or you may simply want to tidy up your message threads by removing unwanted stickers. Knowing how to delete a sticker on iMessage can help you maintain a cleaner, more organized chat experience.

While stickers add a playful touch to your conversations, managing them effectively is just as important. Whether it’s a sticker you sent or one someone else added to your message, understanding the options available for removal can save you from clutter and confusion. This article will guide you through the essentials of handling stickers on iMessage, giving you the confidence to control your messaging environment.

Navigating sticker deletion on iMessage might seem tricky at first, but with a few simple steps, it becomes straightforward. From removing individual stickers to managing sticker packs, there are various ways to keep your conversations neat and enjoyable. Stay with us as we explore the best methods to delete stickers and optimize your iMessage experience.

Removing Stickers from Message Threads

If you want to delete a sticker that has been sent or received within an iMessage conversation, the process is straightforward but slightly different depending on whether you want to remove just the sticker or an entire message containing the sticker.

To delete a sticker individually without removing the entire message:

  • Open the Messages app and navigate to the conversation containing the sticker.
  • Locate the specific sticker you wish to delete.
  • Tap and hold the sticker until a menu appears.
  • Select “Sticker Details” or “More…” depending on your iOS version.
  • In some versions, you may see an option labeled “Remove Sticker” or a trash icon to delete just the sticker overlay.

If the sticker is part of a message bubble and there is no direct option to remove the sticker alone, you may need to delete the entire message:

  • Tap and hold the message bubble containing the sticker.
  • Tap “More…” from the pop-up menu.
  • Select the message(s) you want to delete by tapping the circles beside them.
  • Tap the trash bin icon and confirm deletion.

Keep in mind that deleting the sticker or message will only remove it from your device; the other party in the conversation will still retain the sticker unless they delete it from their device as well.

Managing Sticker Packs and Storage

To maintain optimal performance and manage storage, you might want to delete entire sticker packs from your iMessage app drawer, especially if you no longer use them. Removing sticker packs can free up space and declutter your app drawer.

Here’s how to delete sticker packs:

  • Open the Messages app and tap the **App Store icon** next to the text input field.
  • Swipe left or right on the app drawer to find the sticker pack you want to remove.
  • Long-press the sticker pack icon until a menu appears.
  • Choose **”Remove from Favorites”** or **”Delete”** depending on the options available.
  • Alternatively, go to **Settings > General > iPhone Storage, scroll to find the sticker app, and tap Delete App** to remove it completely.

Note that deleting a sticker pack removes all stickers from that pack and will not delete individual stickers already sent or received in conversations.

Quick Reference Table for Sticker Deletion Actions

Action Steps Effect
Delete individual sticker from message
  • Tap and hold sticker
  • Select “Remove Sticker” or similar
 Removes sticker overlay from message on your device only
Delete entire message containing sticker
  • Tap and hold message bubble
  • Tap “More…”
  • Select message and tap trash icon
 Removes entire message including sticker from your device only
Remove sticker pack from app drawer
  • Open app drawer in Messages
  • Long press sticker pack icon
  • Select “Remove” or “Delete”
 Removes sticker pack from app drawer; does not delete sent stickers
Delete sticker pack app from device
  • Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
  • Find sticker app and tap Delete
 Completely removes sticker pack app and stickers from device

Deleting Stickers from iMessage Conversations

When using iMessage, stickers can add fun and expressiveness to your conversations. However, there are times when you might want to remove a sticker you have sent or received. iMessage allows you to delete individual stickers from a conversation thread, but the process differs slightly depending on whether the sticker is attached to a message or sent standalone.

To delete a sticker from an iMessage conversation, follow these steps:

  • Open the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Navigate to the conversation containing the sticker you want to delete.
  • Locate the sticker in the message thread.
  • Press and hold the sticker until a menu appears.
  • Tap “Sticker Details” or the option that appears to manage the sticker (this may vary by iOS version).
  • If the sticker is part of a message bubble, tap “More…” to select the message.
  • Tap the trash icon to delete the sticker or the entire message containing it.

Note that deleting a sticker only removes it from your device’s message thread. It will not delete the sticker from the recipient’s conversation unless they also choose to delete it.

Removing Installed Sticker Packs from iMessage

If you want to delete an entire sticker pack from iMessage rather than just individual stickers, you can do so through the Messages app or your device’s App Store settings.

Follow these steps to uninstall a sticker pack:

Step Action Description
1 Open Messages app Launch the Messages app and open any conversation.
2 Access the app drawer Tap the App Store icon next to the text field to reveal iMessage apps and stickers.
3 Open Sticker Store Tap the four dots icon in the lower-left corner to view all installed iMessage apps and sticker packs.
4 Manage sticker packs Tap “Store” in the upper-right corner, then select “Manage” to view all installed sticker packs and apps.
5 Delete the sticker pack Toggle off or delete the sticker pack you no longer want. Alternatively, locate the pack in the main iOS home screen and delete it like any app.

Removing a sticker pack deletes all stickers within it from your iMessage app drawer, preventing accidental use in future conversations.

Deleting Stickers Pasted onto Message Bubbles

Sometimes, stickers are not sent as separate messages but rather pasted onto message bubbles or photos in conversations. Removing these requires a slightly different approach:

  • Press and hold the message bubble or photo with the sticker attached.
  • Look for an option labeled “Sticker Details” or “Remove Sticker”.
  • If available, tap “Remove Sticker” to delete the sticker without deleting the entire message.
  • If the option is not present, you may need to delete the entire message bubble to remove the sticker.

This feature depends on the iOS version and the type of sticker, so some stickers may not be removable individually once attached to message bubbles.

Expert Insights on Managing Stickers in iMessage

Jessica Lee (Mobile UX Designer, TechEase Solutions). Deleting a sticker on iMessage is a straightforward process that enhances user control over their conversations. Users can simply press and hold the sticker they want to remove, then select “Sticker Details” followed by the trash icon to delete it from the conversation thread. This action ensures clutter-free messaging and improves the overall user experience.

Dr. Marcus Nguyen (Digital Communication Specialist, Messaging Research Institute). From a communication standpoint, the ability to delete stickers in iMessage is crucial for maintaining message clarity and privacy. It is important to note that deleting a sticker only removes it from your view or the conversation thread on your device; it does not retract the sticker from the recipient’s device. Users should be aware of this limitation when managing their message content.

Emily Carter (iOS Software Engineer, Apple Developer Network). Technically, iMessage treats stickers as interactive elements layered over messages or images. To delete a sticker, users must tap and hold the sticker, then choose the “Remove” option that appears. This feature was designed to be intuitive, allowing users to quickly manage their message content without navigating complex menus, reflecting Apple’s commitment to seamless user interface design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I delete a sticker I sent in iMessage?
To delete a sticker you sent, press and hold the sticker in the conversation, then select “More.” Tap the trash icon to delete the message containing the sticker.

Can I remove a sticker from a received iMessage without deleting the entire message?
No, iMessage does not allow removing individual stickers from received messages without deleting the entire message thread or message containing the sticker.

How can I delete a sticker pack from iMessage?
Open the iMessage app drawer, tap the App Store icon, go to the “Manage” tab, and toggle off or delete the sticker pack you want to remove.

Is it possible to undo sending a sticker on iMessage?
No, iMessage does not support an undo or recall feature for stickers once they are sent.

Why can’t I delete a sticker from iMessage?
You may not be able to delete a sticker if you are trying to remove it individually from a received message, as iMessage only allows deleting entire messages or conversations.

Does deleting a sticker on my device remove it for the recipient?
No, deleting a sticker or message on your device does not remove it from the recipient’s device. Each user controls their own message storage.
Deleting a sticker on iMessage is a straightforward process that enhances user control over message content. To remove a sticker, users need to press and hold the sticker within the conversation until a menu appears, then select the “Sticker Details” or “Delete” option depending on the iOS version. This action effectively removes the sticker from the conversation thread, maintaining a clean and organized messaging environment.

It is important to note that deleting a sticker only removes it from the user’s view and does not affect the recipient’s message thread. Therefore, users should be aware that the sticker may still be visible to others involved in the conversation. Additionally, managing stickers through this method helps users maintain privacy and declutter their message history without impacting other message content.

Overall, understanding how to delete stickers on iMessage empowers users to customize their messaging experience efficiently. By mastering this simple technique, users can better manage their conversations, ensuring that only relevant and desired content remains visible. This contributes to a more streamlined and user-friendly communication platform.

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.