How to Send GIFs on Your iPhone

Animated GIFs are a fun way to express yourself in messages. Whether you want to add a laugh, celebrate a win, or perfectly capture a mood, here’s how to find and send those perfect GIFs on your iPhone to elevate your conversations:

Using the Built-in Keyboard:

1. Open your Messages app and start a conversation or choose an existing thread.

2. Tap the text box where you want to type your message.

3. Look for the #images icon (magnifying glass symbol) next to the emoji keyboard. This is your gateway to GIFs!

4. Tap the #images icon. You’ll see trending GIFs or a search bar.

5. Type in a keyword describing the GIF you want (e.g., “birthday,” “congratulations,” “funny cat”).

6. Browse the search results and tap the GIF you want to send.

7. Preview the GIF and hit send to share it in your message!

Sharing from Another App:

Love a GIF you find online? No problem! You can easily share GIFs from other apps like GIPHY.

1. Find the GIF you want to share on GIPHY or another website.

2. Tap and hold the GIF to open a menu.

3. Choose “Copy” or “Share” depending on the app.

4. Go back to your Messages app and open the conversation.

5. Tap and hold in the text box to bring up the paste option.

6. Tap “Paste” and the GIF will appear.

7. Add a message (optional) and hit send!

Bonus Tip:

Want to save a GIF you find online for later use? Once you copy the GIF, you can also paste it directly into your Photos app to save it to your library.

Now you’re equipped to send GIFs and add some extra personality to your iPhone messages! Happy Gifting!

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about sending GIFs on iPhone:

1. Q: Can I search for GIFs with specific emotions?

A: Absolutely! While searching for GIFs using the #images icon, you can use descriptive keywords that capture emotions. For instance, try terms like “happy dance,” “frustrated sigh,” or “thinking hard” to find relevant GIFs.

2. Q: What if the #images icon isn’t showing on my keyboard?

A: The #images icon might be hidden if you have too many keyboards enabled. To activate it:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Tap “General” and then “Keyboard.”

3. Under “Keyboards,” find “Keyboard Apps.”

4. Toggle on “Images” to enable the #images icon.

3. Q: Can I send GIFs with sound?

A: Currently, iPhones don’t support sending GIFs with sound through the Messages app. The GIFs you send will be animations only.

4. Q: Is there a limit to the size of GIFs I can send?

A: There isn’t a strict size limit, but very large GIFs might take longer to send or fail depending on your internet connection. It’s always a good idea to choose GIFs that load quickly.