WhatsApp will soon let you create and use custom animated stickers – here’s how

Give your chats the personal touch

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

WhatsAppis rolling out a new feature that will let you install and use custom animated sticker packs to add some more personality to your messages.

Stickers are small cartoon images that you can insert into a WhatsApp chat. They’re larger and more detailed than emoji, and are collected together into themed ‘packs’ that are visible when you tap the sticker button in the app.

Last year we saw the introduction ofanimated stickers, plus asticker search toolthat makes it easier to find exactly the right one. Now, things are about to get even more interesting with the addition of animated third-party sticker sets that you can install and use directly within the app.

It’s already possible to create static stickers with apps likeSticker MakerandWemoji, but the ability to bring them to life with animation is a fun new option. You can make animated stickers using existing video files or GIFs, and import packs into WhatsApp as WEBP files.

It’s worth noting that, according to WhatsApp’s release notes, custom sticker packs can contain either static or animated stickers – not a combination of both.

A sticky situation

AsWABetaInforeports, the feature is rolling out now, and is currently available to users in Brazil, Iran and Indonesia. If you’re in one of those countries and can’t add your own bespoke moving stickers yet, don’t worry – you should be able to do so within the next couple of days.

When it’s available globally, we’ll bring you a full tutorial showing exactly how to make and install your own bespoke animated stickers. Stay tuned.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

Cat is TechRadar’s Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She’s been a tech journalist for 15 years, and is here to help you choose the right devices for your home and do more with them. When not working she’s a keen home baker, and makes a pretty mean macaron.

NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Sunday, November 10 (game #252)

Quordle today – hints and answers for Sunday, November 10 (game #1021)

Arcane season 2 finally gave us the huge Caitlyn and Vi moment we’ve been waiting for – and its creators say ‘we couldn’t have done it in season one’