As a kid, my parents rewarded me for doing things I didn't want to do — eating lima beans, doing homework right after school, going to the dentist — with stickers. There were glittery stickers, ones made of felt, Disney princess stickers, and the coveted scratch-and-sniffs. They covered my notebooks, hair clips, and the white desk in my bedroom.
I haven't used a sticker since the age of 11, but that's about to change. As part of iOS 10, the iPhone's new operating system, Apple is giving Messages a major upgrade that brings old-school fun into the digital world. Along with sending texts with "invisible ink," throwing confetti, and scrawling a handwritten note on-screen, you can also use new "stickers."
Dozens of characters and brands, from Disney princesses and Powerpuff Girls to Starbucks, are releasing special sticker packs for you to use in texts, in a way that resembles how you currently use emoji. And while these stickers may not be scratch-and-sniff, there are still ones that dance around and sparkle in their own right.
Click through to find out how to use them, and check out some of our favorites.
To use stickers and apps such as OpenTable in your texts, tap the App Store icon to the left of the iMessage compose field. There you have the option of downloading new stickers and apps straight from the store — just press the plus icon — or using ones that you've already downloaded.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
When you click on a sticker app — in this case, we used "Party Parrots" — you'll see all the stickers to choose from along the bottom of your screen, in the same way you'd see emoji.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
Tap the sticker to add it to your text or touch and hold the one you want and place it on top of photos or other stickers that you've already sent in texts.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
You can also search for specific stickers within each sticker pack that you've downloaded.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
Clicking the pen icon allows you to customize stickers with your own text, so you can add a friend's name or inside jokes.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
The girls are back. The Powerpuff Girls sticker pack for iOS 10 includes nine of the most recognizable characters and scenes from the show. Send friends Bubbles, Blossom, Buttercup, and others for a middle school throwback — and to fight the forces of evil.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
Stickers would not be complete without the obligatory Disney addition. Add stickers of Jasmine, Ariel, and other princesses, as well as art from the brand's most well-known animated films.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
And, of course, there are some for those still obsessed with Frozen. Olaf will be in all of our texts as soon as we see the first sign of snow this winter.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
For all the Frap and PSL lovers, there's a Starbucks sticker pack with the coffee chain's iconic cups, favorite drinks, and some interesting cat and unicorn characters.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
Well, this was timed perfectly for New York Fashion Week. Designers including Opening Ceremony and Coach are releasing sticker packs with some of their most unique designs. We'll take one of each of these Opening Ceremony jackets.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
Winter — er, the Game of Thrones sticker pack — is coming. George R.R. Martin himself created these stickers (so you know they're legit), which include quotes from the books, house crests, and other recognizable artifacts.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
Whether you despise her, love her, or just can't turn away, Kim Kardashian's popular Kimoji keyboard has been converted to stickers. And yes, they are so basic.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
Besides stickers, apps such as OpenTable, Dunkin' Donuts, and Fandango make it easy to make food and event reservations within Messages, and even to send gift cards. You can share the details about reservations, directions, and scheduling with friends without having to leave your text and open an app separately.
Tinder swiping is also an option. Download Tinder Stacks, and then send a friend a picture of a dress, or a photo you want to post on Instagram. They can swipe left or right to cast their vote on whether they like it or not. (Please, no more duck faces.)
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