You can't transfer sticker packs directly between WhatsApp accounts, but you can save them to your phone and re-add them to a new account

WhatsApp stores sticker packs in your account, not in a transferable file. When you switch to a new WhatsApp account—whether on the same phone or a different one—your sticker library doesn't move with you automatically. The stickers you added stay tied to the old account. However, you can rebuild your sticker collection on the new account by re-adding the same packs, and any stickers you created yourself can be saved as image files and imported again.

The process depends on whether you're moving to a new phone, switching accounts on the same phone, or trying to preserve custom stickers you made. Each situation has a different path forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Sticker packs are stored in your WhatsApp account and do not transfer when you switch accounts or phones—you must re-add them manually.
  • Official sticker packs from the WhatsApp store can be found and re-added to your new account in seconds if you remember their names.
  • Custom stickers you created can be saved as individual image files before switching accounts, then imported back as a new sticker pack.
  • If you're moving to a new phone with the same WhatsApp account, your stickers will appear automatically once you restore your chat backup.

Re-adding sticker packs on a new WhatsApp account

When you set up a new WhatsApp account, your sticker library starts empty. To restore your stickers, you need to re-add each pack you want. Open WhatsApp, tap the three dots (Android) or Settings (iPhone), then go to Stickers. Tap the plus icon to browse the sticker store. Search for the packs you remember using, or scroll through categories like Trending, Featured, or People to find ones you liked. Tap each pack to add it back.

This works only for official sticker packs distributed through the WhatsApp store. If you used stickers from third-party apps or custom packs, you'll need to find them again through those same sources. Keep a list of your favorite packs before you switch accounts—take screenshots of the pack names or write them down so you know what to search for.

Saving and transferring custom stickers you created

If you made your own sticker pack in WhatsApp, those stickers live in your phone's storage as image files. Before you switch accounts, export them so you don't lose them. Open WhatsApp, go to Stickers, find your custom pack, tap and hold it, then select Export or Share. WhatsApp will save the stickers as a folder or compressed file to your phone's storage, usually in a folder called WhatsApp or Downloads.

Once you've switched to your new account, you can create a new custom sticker pack and import those saved images. Open WhatsApp, go to Stickers, tap the plus icon, select Create a Pack, and add the images you saved. Name the pack and finish. The stickers will now be part of your new account. This process works the same way on both Android and iPhone, though the exact menu names vary slightly.

Moving to a new phone with the same account

If you're keeping the same WhatsApp account but switching to a new phone, your stickers will transfer automatically. When you set up WhatsApp on the new phone and restore your chat backup, your sticker library comes back with it. You don't need to do anything—just wait for the backup to finish restoring, and your stickers will be there.

This assumes you're using the same phone number and the same backup method (Google Drive for Android, iCloud for iPhone). If you're switching from Android to iPhone or vice versa, WhatsApp does not transfer stickers between operating systems, so you'll need to re-add them manually using the steps above.

Finding sticker packs you used before

If you remember using a sticker pack but can't find it in the store, try searching by keywords. Most packs are named after their theme—search "animals," "memes," "cats," or the artist's name if you remember it. Browse the Trending and Featured sections, which update regularly. If a pack has been removed from the store, it won't appear in search results, and you won't be able to re-add it.

Some sticker packs are only available through links shared by friends or posted on social media. If you have the link to a pack you want, you can open it in WhatsApp directly and tap Add to add it to your account. Ask friends who shared stickers with you if they remember the pack names or have the links saved.

Sticker limits and storage on your phone

WhatsApp allows you to add as many sticker packs as you want, but each pack takes up storage space on your phone. Custom sticker packs you create are stored locally on your device. If you're running low on storage, you can remove sticker packs you no longer use by opening the Stickers section, tapping and holding a pack, and selecting Delete or Remove. This frees up space without affecting your account.

Official sticker packs from the store are downloaded to your phone when you add them, so they also use storage. If you switch phones or accounts frequently, consider keeping only the packs you use regularly and re-adding others as needed rather than storing them all at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my stickers transfer if I restore my WhatsApp backup?

Yes, if you're restoring a backup to the same account on the same operating system (Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone). Your sticker library comes back with your chats. If you're switching from Android to iPhone or creating a new account, backups don't transfer stickers—you'll need to re-add them.

What if I forgot the names of my sticker packs?

Check your chat history for stickers you sent—tap and hold a sticker in a conversation and select the pack name to jump to it in the store. You can also browse the Trending and Featured sections to rediscover packs. If a pack has been removed from the store, you won't be able to find it again.

Can I back up custom stickers to the cloud?

WhatsApp doesn't back up custom stickers to cloud storage automatically. Export them as image files to your phone's storage or to cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud manually. Then import them back as a new pack on your new account or phone.

Do stickers transfer between Android and iPhone?

No. WhatsApp stores stickers differently on each operating system, so they don't transfer when you switch phones. You'll need to re-add official packs from the store and recreate custom packs by importing your saved images.