Android + WhatsApp guide
How to make a WhatsApp sticker app for Android
Build a branded Android app that people install from Google Play and use to add your sticker packs to WhatsApp. The reliable route uses Android Studio, WhatsApp's official sticker sample, acontents.jsonfile, and correctly formatted sticker assets.
Built-in WhatsApp stickers vs a Play Store app
WhatsApp can create personal stickers inside a chat. That is enough for your own use, but it does not give customers a branded app or downloadable pack. Build an Android app when you want to distribute one or more sticker packs publicly through Google Play.
WhatsApp asset requirements
- 512×512 px WebP or PNG stickers
- 100 KB maximum per static sticker
- 96×96 px tray icon under 50 KB
- 3 to 30 stickers in each pack
Create a WhatsApp sticker app in five steps
A public WhatsApp sticker pack is a normal Android app with a content provider that lets WhatsApp read your pack metadata and files. Users install your app, tap Add to WhatsApp, and then find the stickers in their WhatsApp tray.
Step 1
Prepare WhatsApp sticker assets
Export every sticker at exactly 512×512 pixels with a transparent background. Static stickers must be 100 KB or less. Add a transparent 96×96 pixel tray icon under 50 KB.
Step 2
Open the official sample in Android Studio
Download or fork WhatsApp's official stickers repository, open its Android project, let Gradle sync, and run the unchanged sample once before replacing anything.
Step 3
Replace the packs and contents.json
Add 3 to 30 stickers to each pack folder, replace the tray icon, and update contents.json with your pack name, publisher, filenames, emoji tags, links, and identifiers.
Step 4
Rename, sign, and test the app
Set a permanent package name, replace app branding, generate a signing keystore, install the app on a real Android phone, and test the Add to WhatsApp flow.
Step 5
Publish the Android App Bundle
Build a signed .aab, create the Google Play listing, add screenshots and policy information, complete any required closed test, and submit the release for review.
What goes in contents.json?
The file connects each pack to its asset folder. It includes the pack identifier, display name, publisher, tray icon filename, sticker filenames, emoji tags, support links, privacy policy, and store links. Every filename must exactly match the file on disk, including capitalization. Start from WhatsApp's official stickers repository instead of an unverified third-party template.
{
"identifier": "1",
"name": "My Sticker Pack",
"publisher": "Your Brand",
"tray_image_file": "tray_icon.png",
"stickers": [
{ "image_file": "sticker_01.webp", "emojis": ["😀"] },
{ "image_file": "sticker_02.webp", "emojis": ["🎉"] },
{ "image_file": "sticker_03.webp", "emojis": ["❤️"] }
]
}Common reasons Add to WhatsApp fails
- The JSON is invalid or an asset filename does not match.
- A sticker is not exactly 512×512 pixels or exceeds its size limit.
- The content-provider authority does not match the final package name.
- The app was signed or built with the wrong release configuration.
- The flow was tested only in an emulator instead of on a real phone.
Google Play publishing requirements
Prepare a signed Android App Bundle, 512×512 app icon, 1024×500 feature graphic, phone screenshots, short and full descriptions, support email, privacy policy, content rating, and Data safety answers. New personal Play developer accounts may need a closed test before production access.
Want the full Android Studio walkthrough?
The complete Android sticker app guide includes the project structure, full JSON example, app signing, testing, Play Console setup, and launch checklist.
Need a WhatsApp sticker app built for you?
We format your artwork, configure the Android app and sticker packs, test the WhatsApp integration, and deliver a Google Play-ready build.