New Stickers Disappear Immediately (iOS 18 Messages App)

18.2 was the fix. Case closed!!

Had the same issue. Just updates to iOS 18.2 and it fixed it.

18.2 fixed mine, on 16 pro.

Updating to 18.2 has fixed this issue for me.

I updated my IOS to 18.2.1 and my stickers are working!

Same issue on a 15 Pro to 16 Pro upgrade. I read elsewhere that it seems to be a buggy pre-release version of iOS 18 that shipped with the first batches of iPhone 16s. Indeed, I did receive a prompt a couple days after getting my new phone to 'upgrade' to iOS 18 despite settings already showing I was using iOS 18. So, seems likely it did have some sort of pre-release version installed on delivery.

Apple Support suggested I do a full restore from iCloud. I told them 'no way' for a couple of stickers. I've got 400GB of data on there and an iCloud restore would take hours. I suspect we'll just have to wait for a bug fix.

The public release of 18.2 will correct the stickers disappearing issue. Apple has confirmed this.

Same iPhone 16 pro max.

Upgrading to 18.2 is the fix.

I had to reset my iphone... I erased everything except eSIM. Of course, I had to re-enter pins for all my cards that are in my wallet as well. Once done, everything appears to be there... I'm at work, so, I guess it wasn't that bad being without my phone while everything re-installed. :)

I did a reset without deleting ESim and it fixed the problem. Stickers are saving now!

GUYS I fixed it!!! Do a backup and then erase all content and settings. All done ✅

Katherine, I had to reset and do a iCloud restore then it was fine I got them all back, a massive pain but it worked!

From what I have read on multiple forums the only thing that fixes it (usually) is the nuclear option: backing up the phone, erasing all contents and restoring to factory settings, then restoring from the back up.

I have been wrestling with this for the last month and a half debating whether to go nuclear. It probably is t worth the trouble (including logging back into scores of apps) for me over stickers. But the broken feature bugs me to a point t of obsession.

[Edited by Moderator]

I FIXED IT for my iphone 16, I turned it off and did a little restart with the holding my power button and volume up botton together, until the apple appears then let go of the volume button and give it a few seconds then remove you’re finger off the power button. Then I updated my phone to IOS 18.2.1.

I can confirm that do any factory reset will fix the problem. Just make sure you back up your phone first.