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How to Get GIFs on Your iPhone: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to inject some animated flair into your iPhone experience? The answer, in short, is multifaceted. Getting GIFs on your iPhone is incredibly easy, and can be accomplished through a variety of methods, including using the built-in keyboard, leveraging third-party apps, saving them from the web, or even creating your own.

The iPhone’s Built-in GIF Search: Your Quickest Route

Perhaps the most straightforward approach is utilizing the native GIF search directly from your iPhone’s keyboard. This feature seamlessly integrates into your messaging apps, making GIF insertion a breeze.

Using the #images App

Open your Messages app (or any app that utilizes the standard iOS keyboard, like WhatsApp or Slack).
Tap the text field to bring up the keyboard.
Look for the App Store icon (usually a blue “A” in a circle) above the keyboard. If you don’t see it, tap the grey App Store icon on the top right corner of your keyboard.
Select the #images app. If it’s not readily visible, swipe left through your apps until you find it.
Use the search bar at the top of the #images app to type in keywords related to the GIF you’re looking for (e.g., “happy,” “celebration,” “awkward”).
Browse the results and tap the GIF you want to use. It will be instantly inserted into your message ready to be sent.

Unleashing Third-Party GIF Apps: Expanding Your Arsenal

For those seeking a more expansive and curated GIF library, third-party apps offer a compelling alternative. These apps often boast advanced features, categorization, and even the ability to create custom GIFs.

Popular GIF Apps for iPhone

GIPHY: The undisputed king of GIFs, GIPHY provides a massive library, easy search functionality, and even a GIF maker. Download it from the App Store, browse or search for your perfect GIF, and then share it directly to your messaging app of choice.
Tenor GIF Keyboard: Another powerhouse in the GIF realm, Tenor focuses on providing the right GIF for every situation. Its keyboard integration is seamless and intuitive.
Imgur: While primarily known as an image hosting platform, Imgur is also a fantastic source for GIFs. You can browse trending GIFs or search for specific ones.

Integrating Third-Party GIF Keyboards

Many GIF apps offer a custom keyboard extension. To enable it:

Install the app from the App Store (e.g., GIPHY, Tenor).
Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard.
Select the newly installed GIF keyboard from the list of available keyboards.
Tap on the keyboard name again and allow “Full Access”. Note: Granting full access allows the keyboard to transmit what you type, including potentially sensitive data. Only grant this permission to apps you trust.

Now, when you bring up the keyboard in any app, you can switch to your GIF keyboard by tapping the globe icon in the bottom-left corner.

Saving GIFs from the Web: The Timeless Classic

Sometimes, you stumble upon the perfect GIF online. Thankfully, saving GIFs directly from websites is simple.

Saving GIFs from Safari or Other Browsers

Find the GIF you want to save.
Tap and hold on the GIF.
Select “Add to Photos” from the context menu.

The GIF will now be saved in your Photos app. However, iOS typically saves GIFs as static images by default. To ensure it plays as an animation within iMessage:

Share the GIF directly from the Photos app into iMessage.
If copying and pasting, ensure you copy the actual GIF URL.
Use a third-party app such as GIPHY or Tenor to share from there into another messaging app, which ensures animation support.

Crafting Your Own GIFs: Unleash Your Creativity

Want to take your GIF game to the next level? Creating your own GIFs is surprisingly easy with the plethora of GIF maker apps available.

GIF Maker Apps for iPhone

GIF Maker – ImgPlay: A user-friendly app that lets you create GIFs from videos, photos, and even Live Photos.
GIPHY: As mentioned before, GIPHY also offers powerful GIF creation tools.
DSCO: Designed by VSCO, DSCO allows you to create short looping GIFs with various filters and effects.

Creating GIFs from Live Photos

A convenient way to make GIFs on your iPhone is by converting your Live Photos (photos that capture a short video clip).

Open the Photos app.
Select the Live Photo you want to convert.
Swipe up on the photo. This reveals the “Effects” options: Live, Loop, Bounce.
Select “Loop” or “Bounce”. These automatically create looping GIFs from your Live Photo. The looped Live Photo will now automatically play when viewed.

GIFs in Different Apps: Context Matters

Different apps handle GIFs in slightly different ways. It’s important to understand these nuances to ensure your GIFs display correctly.

GIFs in iMessage

iMessage offers excellent GIF support, playing animations inline within conversations. Sharing GIFs via the #images app or directly from your Photos app generally works seamlessly.

GIFs in WhatsApp and Other Messaging Apps

WhatsApp and other messaging apps also generally support GIFs well. However, some apps might require you to save the GIF to your camera roll and then attach it as a “photo” to ensure it animates correctly. Other apps, such as Slack, support Giphy and Tenor integration directly, using a command prompt, such as /giphy happy cat.

FAQs: Your Burning GIF Questions Answered

Here are 12 frequently asked questions about using GIFs on your iPhone:

Why aren’t my GIFs animating in the Photos app? The Photos app often displays GIFs as static images. Share them directly into a supported app like iMessage to see the animation. You can also view it with the ‘Loop’ or ‘Bounce’ effect when swiping up on the GIF.
How do I search for GIFs using Siri? You can’t directly ask Siri to find and send GIFs. However, you can use Siri to open the GIPHY or Tenor app and then search for GIFs within those apps.
Are GIFs bad for my iPhone’s battery life? Constantly playing GIFs, especially multiple GIFs simultaneously, can consume battery life. Use them judiciously.
How do I delete GIFs from my iPhone? Delete them like any other photo or video in the Photos app.
Can I send GIFs in email on my iPhone? Yes, most email apps support embedding GIFs. Attach the GIF like you would any other image.
Is it safe to use third-party GIF keyboards? Use caution when granting “Full Access” to third-party keyboards. Only grant permission to apps you trust.
Why is my GIF blurry? Low-resolution GIFs will appear blurry, especially when scaled up. Try to find higher-resolution versions.
Can I use GIFs in Instagram stories? Yes, Instagram allows you to add GIFs to your stories using the built-in GIF sticker feature.
How do I create GIFs from screen recordings? Use a screen recording app to capture your screen, then use a GIF maker app to convert the recording into a GIF.
Why are some GIFs not showing up in the #images app? The #images app is powered by Bing’s image search, which may not always index every GIF available online. Third-party apps often have more comprehensive libraries.
Is there a limit to the size of GIFs I can send? Some apps may have file size limits for attachments. If your GIF is too large, try compressing it using a GIF compression tool.
How can I add text to a GIF on my iPhone? Use a GIF maker app that offers text overlay features. Many apps allow you to add custom text, fonts, and colors to your GIFs.