In Microsoft Teams desktop and web, stickers now sit with emoji and GIFs in a single picker beside the message box. Mobile supports emoji and GIFs, but Microsoft directs users to desktop or web for custom memes and stickers.
That client difference is the main reason older instructions fail.
Send a sticker on desktop or web
- Open a chat or channel compose box.
- Select Emoji, GIFs and Stickers on the right of the message box.
- Search or browse the sticker galleries.
- Select a sticker.
- Review the compose box, then select Send.
Some stickers and memes show an edit icon. Select one of those, add a caption, choose Done, then send it.
What works on mobile?
On iOS and Android, Microsoft documents emoji, reactions and GIFs in the mobile composer.
To send an emoji, tap Emoji below the box and select one. To send a GIF, select GIF, search or browse, then choose the result.
For a custom meme or sticker, move to Teams desktop or web. Do not keep searching mobile menus for a control Microsoft does not document there.
Sticker, GIF, emoji or reaction?
- Use a reaction when a message only needs acknowledgement.
- Use an emoji inside text when tone might otherwise be unclear.
- Use a GIF when motion adds something useful.
- Use a sticker when a visual caption suits the conversation.
For operational, legal, HR or customer-facing decisions, write the meaning in text. A reaction or sticker can be ambiguous and is poor evidence of approval.
Why is the sticker or GIF option missing?
Teams administrators control messaging features through messaging policies. Microsoft documents settings for GIFs, memes, stickers and custom emoji.
If the picker is missing:
- Check whether you are using desktop, web, iOS or Android.
- Look for the combined Emoji, GIFs and Stickers control rather than a separate sticker icon.
- Test in a normal internal chat.
- Ask your Teams administrator whether the assigned messaging policy disables the feature.
- Check whether the chat context, account type or organisation restricts media.
Do not change an organisation-wide policy simply to fix one user. Confirm the user’s assigned policy and business requirement first.
A note about appropriate use
Treat the organisation’s conduct and records rules as applying to stickers and GIFs just as they apply to text.
Avoid media that exposes personal information, mocks a colleague, creates accessibility problems or leaves the actual action unclear. For mixed-language or external conversations, plain text is often safer.
Keep Teams messaging policy practical
If you are deciding which messaging features to permit and how to support them, join the SharePoint & Teams Admins Space.