The field guide / iPhone
Save and use trade stickers on iPhone.
Start with one transparent PNG. These illustrated steps explain the real process, not a one-tap keyboard promise.
Checked 8 November 2026. Controls vary by app, account and device.
Step 01
Save the original PNG
Open an emoji page in Safari and tap Download PNG. Open Downloads, then the image in Files. Use Share and Save Image to copy it to Photos if that action is offered.
Step 02
Choose where to use it
For a normal message, attach the saved image from Photos. For WhatsApp, use its sticker creator. For Messages on iOS 17 or later, open the image in Photos, hold the subject and try Add Sticker.
Step 03
Keep the clean edge
Use the original transparent image rather than a screenshot. If the app flattens the transparency or cannot lift the subject, send the PNG as a normal image instead.
Before you start
Download the original PNG, not a screenshot. Save it to Photos or your gallery where an app needs photo-library access. Never grant full keyboard access or install an unfamiliar app merely to send an image.
Read the platform’s own help. These are independent guides; Trade Emojis is not affiliated with the apps.