Goodbye to WhatsApp stickers for iPhone

Almost a month ago, WhatsApp added sticker packs, a functionality very similar to that of Telegram, but with a different operation. While Telegram packs are uploaded directly to the app itself, in WhatsApp it is necessary to install and maintain other apps to enjoy this privilege. Now Apple has decided to remove sticker packages for WhatsApp from the App Store and restrict the upload of new ones for, according to what they say, breaching their policies.

The explanation lies precisely in point 4.2.3 (i) of Apple's policies. In this section we can read that "the application must work by itself without requiring the installation of another app". This means that WhatsApp stickers for iOS They already have this problem from the beginning, since they need the installation of other secondary applications to provide the functionality to the communication app. In this way, if WhatsApp wants iOS users to use stickers, it will have no choice but to find another way to offer them.

It is evident that, unlike Android, Apple prefers that there are few applications in iOS, but that they are of quality. Therefore, those of Cupertino are taking care so that the App Store is not filled with third-party apps trying to take advantage of the pull of the stickers for WhatsApp.Therefore, from now on iOS users will have no choice but to limit themselves to the official sticker packs,or those sent by their friends from Android.

It is very likely, however, that in the future we will see a system similar to that of iMessage. A download section within WhatsApp itself (like the one that already comes standard) or a system like Telegram's. In this way, WhatsApp could host the packs on its own servers without violating Apple's policy. Whatever happens, the reality is that right now everyone sticker packs for iOS have been removed from the App Store and will not be able to be uploaded until there are no changes in the procedure.