WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the fun features of WhatsApp is the ability to send stickers during chats. WhatsApp offers a default set of stickers, but you can also add new sticker packs to enhance your messaging experience.
What are WhatsApp Stickers?
WhatsApp stickers are larger images that you can send in chat conversations similarly to emojis. But unlike emojis, WhatsApp stickers come in set packs with multiple stickers to choose from.
When you send a sticker, it appears as a larger image in the chat and adds some visual interest to the conversation. Stickers often come in themes, with various stickers related to a specific topic or emotion. For example, you may have a set of funny animal stickers or happy face stickers.
Stickers can help convey emotions and reactions during chats in a more expressive way compared to plain text or emojis. Since there are diverse sticker packs available, you can find stickers that match your personal style or chat topics.
How to Get WhatsApp Stickers
WhatsApp provides a default set of stickers, but you can add more options through third-party sticker packs. Here are the main ways to get more WhatsApp stickers:
- Download sticker packs from the Play Store or App Store
- Add sticker packs from WhatsApp
- Use third-party apps to make custom stickers
- Manually add sticker image files to WhatsApp
The simplest option is to download dedicated sticker apps from your device’s app store. You can search for “WhatsApp stickers” to find sticker packs designed for WhatsApp. Install the apps for the sticker packs you want, then they will be automatically added to your WhatsApp sticker options.
You can also find and add stickers directly within WhatsApp through the Stickers tab in the app. Here you can browse and preview available packs before adding them.
If you want more personalized WhatsApp stickers, some third-party apps allow you to create your own custom stickers from photos. These custom stickers can then be added to WhatsApp as well.
The final option for getting more WhatsApp stickers is to manually add sticker files to the app. This takes a bit more effort, but gives you total control over the sticker images.
Requirements for WhatsApp Sticker Files
To manually add stickers to WhatsApp, you need to have the right file format for the sticker images. WhatsApp has specific requirements for sticker files to work in the app:
- Stickers must be in PNG format
- Each individual sticker image must be 512 x 512 pixels
- Sticker images should be part of a PNG pack folder containing multiple images
- The PNG folder must have a JSON file with sticker metadata
These specifications allow WhatsApp to correctly identify and display the sticker images in the app. The key requirements are the 512 x 512 resolution for individual stickers, storing multiple stickers in a single folder, and including the JSON data file.
Finding WhatsApp Sticker PNG Images
To add stickers manually, first you need to find or create PNG images that meet WhatsApp’s specifications. Here are some options:
- Search Google for “WhatsApp stickers PNG” to find free sticker images
- Use graphic design apps to create your own 512 x 512 pixel sticker images
- Extract stickers from existing packs on your phone using file manager apps
- Convert emojis or images to WhatsApp sticker format using converter apps
Searching online will allow you to discover lots of pre-made sticker PNG images that are ready to use in WhatsApp. Look for packs that contain multiple themed stickers in one download.
You can get creative and make your own drawing or photo stickers using your favorite graphic design apps. Just export your images at 512 x 512 resolution.
If you already have WhatsApp stickers from existing packs, you can use file manager apps to locate the individual PNG files on your phone. Then you can reuse them in new packs.
Finally, some apps like Sticker Maker allow you to convert emojis, images, or photos into WhatsApp compatible stickers. This provides an easy way to customize stickers.
Tips for Finding Quality WhatsApp Stickers
- Search for packs with common themes like love, smiling faces, animals, foods, etc.
- Look for packs with 10-15 related stickers to provide a variety of options
- Make sure stickers have transparent backgrounds if you want them to blend into chats
- Stick to simple designs and bold outlines for maximum clarity on small screens
Creating the Sticker Pack Folder
Once you have your sticker PNG images ready, you need to arrange them into a WhatsApp folder. This is how WhatsApp will recognize the images as a single sticker pack. Follow these steps:
- Create a new folder on your phone’s internal storage or SD card
- Name the folder with a short name for your sticker pack
- Add 12 or fewer of your PNG sticker images into this folder
- The sticker PNG files must be named sequentially, like sticker_1.png, sticker_2.png, etc.
Make sure the folder name is something short and easy to identify. The individual sticker file names must be numbered in order.
You can include up to 12 images in one WhatsApp sticker pack. If you have more stickers, you need to break them up into multiple packs of 12 or fewer.
Tips for Organizing Your Sticker Pack Folder
- Group similar stickers into a pack with a descriptive name like “Happy Faces”
- Aim for 10-12 stickers per pack so you don’t hit the limit too fast
- Number the file names in ascending order for proper arrangement
- Limit pack names to 30 characters or less
Creating the JSON Metadata File
In addition to the sticker image files, WhatsApp requires a JSON data file inside each sticker pack folder. This JSON file provides metadata that WhatsApp needs to properly display the stickers.
The JSON metadata file must be named “stickers.json” and contain the following details:
- Name of the sticker pack
- Author/creator information
- License info (like “CC-BY-SA 4.0”)
- List of the sticker file names
Here is an example stickers.json file contents:
{
"name": "Happy Faces",
"publisher": "Acme Inc",
"license": "CC-BY-SA 4.0",
"stickers": [
"sticker_1.png",
"sticker_2.png",
"sticker_3.png",
...
]
}
The key fields are the pack name, publisher, license, and ordered list of file names. The publisher and license info are optional, but recommended.
You can manually create this JSON file with a text editor. Or use a JSON generator tool to build it more easily.
Place the finished “stickers.json” file into your sticker pack folder along with the PNG images.
Tips for Creating the JSON Metadata
- Match name in JSON to folder name for consistency
- Provide relevant publisher and license info
- Make sure sticker file list is numbered correctly
- Validate the JSON format before adding to folder
Adding Sticker Packs to WhatsApp
Once your sticker pack folder and files are prepared, you can add the new stickers to WhatsApp. Here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the stickers tab
- Tap the plus icon to add a new sticker pack
- Select “Add sticker pack” > “Add manually”
- Navigate to the folder location and select it
- Confirm to add the sticker pack to WhatsApp
WhatsApp will then inspect the folder contents and JSON data to validate the sticker pack.
If everything looks good, your new stickers will be added to the available packs in WhatsApp. You can then start sending your custom stickers during chats.
If there are any issues like invalid files, the sticker pack will fail to load. You may need to fix the files and try again.
Tips for Manually Adding Stickers to WhatsApp
- Restart WhatsApp after adding stickers if they don’t immediately appear
- Make sure your phone has permission to access the sticker pack files
- Try compressing the folder to ZIP format if WhatsApp can’t access the files
- Stick to the specifications so WhatsApp accepts your sticker pack
Troubleshooting Tips
If your custom WhatsApp stickers won’t load, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Issue: Sticker images not showing in pack
- Verify images are PNG format, 512×512 resolution
- Make sure file names match order in JSON metadata
- Max 12 images per pack. Split into multiple packs if needed
Issue: WhatsApp won’t recognize sticker pack
- Ensure stickers.json is formatted properly
- Sticker file names in JSON must match actual files
- Include both sticker folder and JSON file when adding pack
Issue: Added stickers not showing in WhatsApp
- Restart WhatsApp to refresh sticker data
- Open different chat thread to see if stickers appear
- Re-add the sticker pack if necessary
Following WhatsApp’s specifications closely should help avoid issues adding custom sticker packs. But if you still have trouble, double-checking the files and restarting WhatsApp may resolve problems.
Conclusion
Adding custom stickers gives you more expressive ways to chat on WhatsApp. By manually creating sticker packs, you can get any type of stickers you want.
Just be sure to properly format the sticker PNG images, assemble the pack folder, and add the vital JSON metadata. Following WhatsApp’s guidelines will ensure your custom stickers work when you import them into the app.
With the ability to add unlimited free or paid stickers, you can really customize and enhance your WhatsApp chats. So get creative in making your own stickers or find great sticker packs online to bring your WhatsApp experience to the next level.