Are you tired of sending just plain text messages to your friends and family on your iPhone? Why not spice things up with some animated fun? Yes, we’re talking about GIFs! Sending GIFs on your iPhone is not only easy but also a great way to add an extra element of humor or emotion to your texts. Whether you’re new to iPhone or just don’t know how to send GIFs, don’t worry. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to send GIFs on iPhone, step by step. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of GIFs and take your texting game to the next level!
1. Understanding GIFs: What They Are and How They Work
If you spend a lot of time on social media or texting, then you’ve probably come across animated images called GIFs. GIFs, or Graphics Interchange Format, are short looping animations or clips from videos that are often used for humor or to express emotions. They have become increasingly popular and are now an integral part of online communication.
GIFs consist of a series of frames or images, which are played in a loop in quick succession. These frames can either be original images or taken from videos. GIFs are usually short and range from a few seconds to a minute long. They also have a small file size, which means that they load quickly and don’t take up a lot of storage space.
One of the great things about GIFs is that they can be shared and viewed across multiple devices and platforms. Whether you’re using an iPhone, Android device, or computer, you can easily access and share GIFs. However, compatibility with certain apps and browsers may vary.
In the next sections, we’ll explore how to add and send GIFs on an iPhone and some tips and tricks for sending them like a pro. But first, let’s look at how to add GIFs to your iMessage app drawer.
2. Adding GIFs to Your iMessage App Drawer
If you’re an iPhone user, you’re already familiar with the iMessage app drawer. This is where you’ll find a range of apps and features that can be added to your texting experience. One of the most popular and widely used features is the ability to add GIFs to your messages. GIFs are short, looping videos or animations that are perfect for expressing emotions or adding a touch of humor to a conversation.
To add GIFs to your iMessage app drawer, there are a few easy steps to follow. First, open iMessage and start a new conversation or select an existing thread. Next, tap on the App Store icon (the “A” symbol) located to the left of the text box. This will bring up your iMessage app drawer.
To add a GIF app, scroll through the available options until you find one that offers access to GIFs. Some popular options include Giphy, Tenor, and GIF Keyboard. Tap on the app to download and add it to your app drawer.
Once you’ve added a GIF app, you can start browsing and searching for GIFs to send in your messages. We’ll cover more on how to do this in the next section. Adding multiple GIF apps to your app drawer gives you a wider range of options to choose from, so don’t be afraid to explore and download different apps until you find the ones that work best for you.
3. Browsing and Searching for GIFs on Your iPhone
After adding the GIF app to your iMessage app drawer, you need to browse and search for the perfect GIF to send to your friends.
Browse GIFs by Categories and Themes
One way to find a GIF quickly is by browsing through categories and themes. From the GIF app drawer, tap on the “Categories” tab at the bottom of the screen, and choose a category that best fits your current mood or topic. You can choose from themes like “Funny,” “Gaming,” “Movies,” “Animals,” and many more.
Once you click on a category, you’ll explore a vast selection of GIFs that you can swipe through until you find the perfect one. You can also tap on the search bar at the top of the screen to search for a specific keyword, like “birthday,” to find a GIF that suits your needs.
Search for GIFs by Keywords
If you have a specific GIF in mind, use the search function to find it. Tap on the search bar at the top of the screen and type in a keyword that describes the GIF you want to send. You can type in “cat” to find cat-related GIFs or “happy” to see happy-emotion GIFs.
Pro Tip: You can also use the name of the movie, TV show, or celebrity to find related GIFs easily. For example, you can search “The Office” to find all the funny reaction GIFs from the TV show.
Save Animated GIFs to Your Phone
If you find a GIF you want to save to your device, tap and hold on the GIF, and click “Save” from the menu that appears. You can then access your saved GIFs from your camera roll and use them outside of the iMessage app.
In conclusion, is simple and fun. You can use categories, themes, and keywords to find the perfect GIF faster than ever. Plus, saving GIFs to your camera roll allows you to use them outside of the iMessage app.
4. Sending GIFs in iMessage Chats: Step-by-Step Guide
In this section, we will go through the step-by-step process of sending GIFs in iMessage chats on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open iMessage and Start a Chat
The first step to send a GIF in iMessage is to open the iMessage app on your iPhone and start a chat with the person you want to send the GIF to.
Step 2: Access the App Drawer
Once you have opened the chat, you need to access the app drawer by tapping on the “+” icon to the left of the text input field. This opens up a menu of different app options such as Camera, App Store, and more.
Step 3: Search and Select a GIF
Once you are inside the app drawer, you will see a row of icons at the bottom, including the option for selecting GIFs. Tap on the “GIFs” icon to open up the GIF selection screen. From here, you can browse trending, popular, or search for specific GIFs that you want to send. Simply tap on the GIF that you want to send to include it in your message.
It is essential to note that, by default, the iMessage app drawer provides a limited collection of GIFs. You can install third-party apps/app extensions designed explicitly for GIFs to broaden your options.
Step 4: Send the GIF
After selecting the GIF you wish to send, tap on the GIF file and press the blue-colored send arrow. Your GIF is now a part of the message you want to send in the chat.
That’s it! With these four steps, you can easily send GIFs in iMessage chats on your iPhone. It is undoubtedly a fun and creative way to communicate with your friends and family.
5. Creating Your Own GIFs on iPhone with Shortcuts
If you find that you can’t quite find the perfect GIF for the moment, why not create your own? With the help of the Shortcuts app, you can create custom GIFs from any video or live photo on your iPhone.
Step 1: Install Shortcuts App
First and foremost, you’ll need to download the Shortcuts app on your iPhone if you haven’t already. This app allows you to automate tasks and create personalized shortcuts that can be triggered with a tap or a voice command.
Step 2: Create a Custom Shortcut
Once you have Shortcuts installed, open the app and tap the ‘+’ button to create a new shortcut. Choose ‘Add Action’ and then search for ‘Create Animated GIF’. You can customize the shortcut’s name and add an icon if you like.
Step 3: Select Your Video/Live Photo
Now that you have your shortcut set up, you can start creating your custom GIF. To get started, choose the video or live photo that you want to turn into a GIF in your Photos app. Tap the ‘Share’ icon and select your newly created shortcut from the list.
Step 4: Customize Your GIF
The Create Animated GIF shortcut will open up and you’ll have a few options to customize your GIF. You can adjust the length of the GIF, add filters, and choose the portion of the video/live photo that you want to use. Once you’re happy with your customizations, tap ‘Create GIF’ and your new creation will be saved to your Photos.
Creating your own custom GIFs with Shortcuts is a fun and creative way to spice up your iMessage chats. Experiment with different videos and live photos to create the perfect GIFs for every occasion!
6. Tips and Tricks for Sending GIFs Like a Pro
Sending GIFs on iPhone is a fun and creative way to add some personality to your conversations. Here are some tips and tricks to help you send GIFs like a pro:
1. Use the Search Bar
Instead of scrolling through the entire GIF library, use the search bar to find the perfect GIF for your conversation. Type in a keyword that describes the emotion or situation you want to convey, and select from the options that appear.
2. Organize Your Favorite GIFs
If you find yourself constantly using the same GIFs, consider organizing them into a favorites folder for easy access. To do this, simply hold down on the GIF and select “Add to Favorites.” Your favorites will be stored in a dedicated folder in your iMessage app drawer.
3. Use Animated Stickers
Animated stickers are another fun way to enhance your iMessage conversations. To access them, tap the “A” button in the iMessage app drawer, and select “Stickers.” From there, you can choose from a variety of animated stickers to add to your message.
4. Customize Your GIFs with Text and Emojis
To further personalize your GIFs, consider adding text or emojis to them. You can do this by tapping on the GIF once it’s inserted into your message, and then adding your desired text or emojis.
5. Try Out Third-Party GIF Apps
While the built-in iMessage GIF library is vast, there are also third-party GIF apps available that offer even more options. GIPHY, Tenor, and GIFwrapped are all popular options that allow you to browse and download GIFs to use in your messages.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be sending GIFs like a pro in no time. Experiment with different approaches, and have fun adding some extra flair to your conversations!
7. Troubleshooting Common Issues with Sending GIFs on iPhone
Sending GIFs on your iPhone may not always be a seamless experience. Here are some common issues that may arise and how to troubleshoot them.
Issue 1: Can’t Find the GIFs You Want
If you can’t find the specific GIF you want to send, try searching for it in the iMessage app drawer by tapping on the magnifying glass icon. Alternatively, you can browse through popular GIF suggestions by swiping through the app drawer. If these options still do not yield the desired result, try downloading a GIF keyboard app from the App Store.
Issue 2: GIFs Are Not Sending or Loading
If you’re experiencing issues with GIFs not sending, make sure you have a stable internet connection. Slow or interrupted network connections could cause issues with the GIFs loading or sending. Another issue may be lack of storage space on your iPhone. Try clearing your cache or deleting unused apps to free up space.
Issue 3: GIFs Are Not Animated or Playing Correctly
If a GIF appears static or doesn’t play correctly, it may be due to formatting issues. Check that the GIF is in the correct format, such as a GIF file and not a static image. Additionally, some GIFs may not work on certain messaging apps. Try sending the GIF through a different messaging platform or check if the recipient’s phone is updated with the latest software version.
By following these troubleshooting tips, you can resolve common issues when sending GIFs on your iPhone. Remember to ensure a stable network connection, free up sufficient space on your device, and check that GIFs are in the correct format for sending.
People Also Ask
1. How do I send a GIF on iPhone from photos?
To send a GIF on iPhone from Photos, open the Photos app and select the GIF you wish to send. Tap on the share icon and select the app or contact you want to send it to.
2. How do you send GIFs on iPhone without iMessage?
To send GIFs on iPhone without iMessage, you can use third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Viber. These apps support GIF integration, so you can send them directly.
3. Can you send GIFs on iPhone to Android?
Yes, you can send GIFs from iPhone to Android users via MMS or messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or Viber. You simply need to download the GIF and attach it to your text message like any other file.
4. How do I find GIFs on my iPhone?
To find GIFs on your iPhone, open the Messages or Photos app and search for “GIF” in the search bar. Alternatively, you can download and use a GIF keyboard app like GIPHY or Tenor that offers a wide range of GIF options.
5. How do I save a GIF from Google to my iPhone?
To save a GIF from Google to your iPhone, find the GIF you want to save and hold down on the image. Select “Save Image” from the options that appear and then go to your Photos app to locate the GIF.
Conclusion
Sending GIFs on iPhone is a fun way to communicate with friends and family. You can send them via messaging apps, MMS, or even social media. With the many different messaging apps and GIF keyboard options available, you’re sure to find the perfect GIF to express yourself in any situation.
