14 DAY TRIAL // WhatsApp has decided to completely block the installation of stickers from the App Store on iPhone, and the company removed the shortcut taking users to additional download links.
Basically, by pulling this shortcut, users can no longer launch the App Store from WhatsApp to search for new stickers, though it’s worth mentioning that you can still do this manually if you want.
However, this workaround doesn’t make any sense anyway as Apple is currently in the process of deleting third-party WhatsApp stickers from the App Store, and at this point, only a few items are still up for grabs.
WhatsApp launched sticker support earlier this year, and in addition to a bunch of packs that were offered by default and easily downloadable right from within the app, the application also came with a button to head over to the store on both Android and iOS to download other stickers.
Sticker store, maybe?
And while on Android this continues to work normally, on iOS the story is a little bit different, as Apple decided to pull the third-party stickers because they violate the guidelines.
The Cupertino-based tech giant says a total of three different rules are violated, including requiring another app to work properly. So because stickers need WhatsApp to serve their purpose, they can’t be listed for download on the App Store.
The big dilemma for WhatsApp right now is how exactly it can deal with this restriction on iOS. The company can build its very own store to list stickers, though this obviously requires additional work, plus a team that would then be in charge of maintaining this store, as stickers need to be checked and validated before going up for grabs.
In the meantime, you can continue using the built-in stickers normally, and WhatsApp is likely to come up with a solution very soon.