A friend sent a sticker I like. How can I find it again in Instagram DMs?
The short answer
Meta describes saving stickers from chats to your favourites so you can reuse them. Find the original sticker and use the favourite option if Instagram offers it. This saves a sticker for reuse; it does not pin the conversation or save every message in it.
What this answer is based onWhat to do
Save the sticker when you come across it. Before reusing a personal cutout, consider whether its subject would be comfortable with it appearing in this conversation.
- Find the original sticker in the conversation. Check that it is a sticker, rather than a photograph, a GIF or a reaction attached to a message; their controls can differ.
- Open the options available for that sticker and look for a way to add it to favourites. Use it if offered. If no such option appears, ask your friend to send it again instead of assuming the message or account is broken.
- Open the sticker tray in the conversation where you want to use it. Look for your favourites and check the intended recipient before sending. If you cannot find the saved sticker, send a written reply rather than repeatedly tapping unfamiliar controls.
The situation
A friend sends a cheering cat after your first run. Next week you want to send the same sticker back, but it is buried under days of messages.
The situation and an improvement
You scroll through days of messages whenever you want the same reaction.
You check the sticker favourites first and confirm which chat you are replying in.
More examples
The sticker is a photo of a friend
A funny cutout would fit the conversation, but other people are in the new group.
What to do
Check with your friend before sharing a recognisable or embarrassing image more widely. Being able to save it is not the same as their agreement.
You meant to keep the whole message
The text beside the sticker contains a meeting address.
What to do
Use the guide to pinning a chat message. Adding the sticker to favourites will not preserve that address as part of it.
What this answer is based on
Meta · New Ways to Connect Through DMsabout.fb.comGuide based on Meta’s materialReview details
Source reviewed:
We read the official source listed for this topic. Other Meta rules are reviewed separately.
Checked on 10 November 2026: Meta’s 25 November 2024 announcement says stickers received in chats or made with Cutouts can be added to favourites for reuse. It does not document an exact current button sequence. No account was tested; the identification checks and fallback suggestions are ClearRules advice.
Material published: November 25, 2024
Material updated: June 26, 2025
Include the guide link, language and wording that needs checking. Add an official source link if you have one. Do not send passwords, login codes or photos of identity documents.
Examples are made up to explain the guidance. Meta decides individual account and content cases.
Sources and related topicsPolicy Graph · Demo in development