WhatsApp stickers have become incredibly popular since their introduction in 2018, allowing users to express themselves in fun and creative ways. However, some users have noticed that their stickers don’t seem to animate or move like some stickers they see others using.
How WhatsApp stickers work
WhatsApp stickers are essentially larger emoji that can be sent in chat. There are two main types of WhatsApp stickers:
- Static stickers – These stickers are just still images that don’t have any animation.
- Animated stickers – These stickers are comprised of multiple frames to create short animations or loops.
Animated sticker packs have to be created properly in order for the animation to work when sent. Static and animated stickers also have to be uploaded to WhatsApp following certain guidelines.
Why some stickers won’t animate
If your WhatsApp stickers won’t animate, there are a few possible reasons:
1. The stickers are static, not animated
The most straightforward reason your stickers won’t move is because they are not actually animated stickers. Many sticker packs only contain static images. Double check the sticker pack you’ve added to see if the stickers are supposed to be animated.
2. Issues with the animated sticker file
In order for an animated sticker to work properly, the sticker file must follow WhatsApp’s specifications:
- The sticker file must be in WEBP format.
- Frames must be combined into one file, with each frame less than 100 KB and in a 512×512 pixel resolution.
- The combined file can be up to 1 MB with a minimum of 3 frames and a maximum of 30 frames.
If the sticker creator did not properly prepare the animated file, the animation may not work when uploaded to WhatsApp. This could be due to improper formatting, too many/few frames, excessive file size, etc.
3. Uploading issues
There are also some technical issues that could prevent an animated sticker from working properly after being uploaded to WhatsApp:
- Glitches when uploading – Any errors uploading could affect the file.
- Improper transcoding – WhatsApp transcodes stickers when uploaded, issues in transcoding could prevent animation.
- Metadata loss – Important metadata needed for animation may have been lost in upload.
Unfortunately, if there were errors in the original file preparation or upload process, it can be difficult or impossible to fix animated stickers later.
How to troubleshoot animated sticker issues
If your animated stickers aren’t working, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:
Check the sticker type
Double check that the sticker pack you’ve added is supposed to have animated stickers and not just static images. The sticker creator’s description should indicate if the pack contains animations.
Re-download the sticker pack
Try removing the sticker pack from WhatsApp, downloading the pack again from the creator, then re-uploading. This ensures no issues occurred only when uploading to WhatsApp.
Contact the sticker creator
Reach out to the sticker pack developer and ask if others have had issues with animations not working. They may be aware of bugs or errors with the pack.
Update WhatsApp
Make sure you’re running the latest version of WhatsApp. Though rare, bugs get fixed in updates that could improve animated sticker functionality.
Clear WhatsApp cache
In some cases, clearing the cache/data for WhatsApp can help resolve glitched or missing animations on stickers.
On Android: Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Cache
On iPhone: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > WhatsApp > Offload App
Contact WhatsApp support
If you still can’t get an animated sticker pack to work properly, you can contact WhatsApp directly and report the issue. Make sure to note the name of the sticker pack and your WhatsApp version.
Tips for finding animated stickers
If the animated sticker pack you tried adding didn’t work, here are some tips for finding packs you can add successfully:
- Look for stickers from official, well-known creators such as Line or Emoji Kitchen.
- Check reviews to see if others report issues before downloading.
- Join WhatsApp beta to get early access to new animated packs.
- Search WhatsApp FAQs for recommended sticker packs.
- Use packs that friends have successfully added and animated.
Third-party app alternatives
If you’re having no luck finding animated sticker packs that work in WhatsApp, some third-party apps provide alternative options:
GIPHY
The GIPHY app lets you create animated stickers from GIFs to import into WhatsApp.
Sticker Maker
Sticker Maker and similar apps allow creating custom animated stickers from videos or images to use in WhatsApp.
Telegram
Telegram has a big selection of animated sticker packs that sometimes work when added to WhatsApp.
Just be cautious of third-party apps using up storage space, data, or collecting too much personal information.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting animated WhatsApp stickers can be tricky. But in most cases, issues arise due to the sticker file not meeting proper specifications or glitches when uploading. Your best course of action is double checking the sticker type, contacting the creator, re-downloading the pack, and trying tips like updating WhatsApp or clearing the cache.
With billions of users, WhatsApp works hard to optimize animated stickers. If all else fails, you can try finding alternative sticker packs or using third-party apps. With some patience, you should be able to get your favorite animated stickers working properly in WhatsApp.