Google has introduced the Pixel Studio app, designed exclusively for the Pixel 9 series, to provide smartphone users with seamless access to custom AI-generated images. This innovative feature offers a more efficient alternative to traditional image generation models found in AI chatbots like Gemini. With the June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, Google has further simplified the process of creating and sharing AI-generated cartoon images. The Android 16-based update has integrated custom AI stickers into Gboard, making these unique creations just a few taps away for any social media or messaging platform. Users can now generate their own stickers directly from the emoji keyboard on their Pixel 9 devices, and this guide will walk you through the process.
Which Google Pixel phones can create custom AI stickers?
The custom AI stickers feature in Gboard was unveiled with the June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, but it is exclusive to the Google Pixel 9 series. This functionality is also region-specific, currently supporting devices set to English, Japanese, or German as their default language. Only owners of the following devices can create custom AI stickers using Gboard:
- Google Pixel 9
- Google Pixel 9a
- Google Pixel 9 Pro
- Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
To access the June Pixel Feature Drop, including custom AI stickers, users must ensure their devices are updated to Android 16. Additionally, it may be necessary to update both the Gboard and Pixel Studio apps via the Google Play Store.
How to create custom AI stickers with Gboard
With the recent update, creating AI stickers using Pixel Studio through Gboard is now a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the keyboard in any social or messaging app.
- Tap the emoji symbol to access the emoji and sticker keyboard.
- Press the AI sticker button, identifiable by the star icon.
- Select either Create with AI or Create from image.
- Type a text prompt and optionally select a style by choosing an emoji, then hit enter.
- On your first attempt, you will need to press Continue to accept Pixel Studio’s terms and conditions.
- Once your sticker is generated, you can either press Save or Send. You may also adjust your prompt and regenerate the sticker if desired.
- Choosing Save will add the AI sticker to your collection, while Send will insert it into your text field and save it simultaneously.
After completing these steps, your first AI-generated sticker will be ready for use. You can revisit and find previous stickers in the Pixel Studio section of Gboard.
When you might want to make custom AI stickers
While AI-generated artwork may not suit every occasion, it presents an appealing alternative when standard emojis or stickers fall short. Currently, there are some limitations—custom AI stickers cannot depict anything resembling a person. However, this feature offers Pixel 9 users a convenient option that eliminates the need to toggle between the Pixel Studio app and their preferred messaging platform. To explore this functionality, simply navigate to the new tab in the Gboard emoji keyboard on your Pixel 9 series device.
The best Google AI phone
If you seek the latest AI innovations from Google, the base-model Google Pixel 9 is equipped to meet your needs. It supports Gemini Nano on-device and provides access to all of Google’s cloud-based features, including custom AI stickers.
