Transform Your Beloved Image into an Animated Sticker with iOS 17

Transform Your Beloved Image into an Animated Sticker with iOS 17

Apple released iOS 17 on September 18, shortly after unveiling the new iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 at its “Wonderlust” event. This latest operating system update brings several improvements, including the StandBy mode. However, one of the most notable features of iOS 17 is its ability to turn photos and live photos into custom Live Stickers.

Live Stickers are an enhancement of the tap-and-lift photo feature introduced in iOS 16, which allows users to remove the backgrounds of their photos and live photos. With iOS 17, users can now add effects to these cut-out images and store them as stickers in the new app drawer in Messages.

To create Live Stickers in iOS 17, follow these steps:

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Enter any text conversation and tap the plus sign (+) next to the text field.
3. Tap “Stickers”.
4. Tap the folded-over circle near the top-right corner of the Stickers app.
5. Tap the large plus sign (+) to open your Photos.
6. Select the photo or live photo you want to turn into a sticker. The iPhone will automatically remove the background.
7. If you’re satisfied with the sticker, tap “Add Sticker” in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Your Live Sticker will be added to the Stickers app in Messages, where you can rearrange, add effects, or delete it. Adding an effect, such as a white outline, can make the sticker appear more like a traditional sticker.

According to Apple, you can use your Live Stickers anywhere you can access emoji, including other apps and non-iOS 17 devices. However, there may be compatibility issues when using Live Stickers outside of Apple apps and devices. For example, using Live Stickers on messaging platforms like Slack may result in a white background, and some third-party apps like TikTok may not support Live Stickers.

For more information about iOS 17, you can read our review of the latest OS and consult our iOS 17 cheat sheet.

[Image: Five pictures of a brown and white dog]
Make sure you select the folded-over circle (selected above) to create your own stickers.
Screenshot by Zach McAuliffe/CNET

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