How to Find GIFs on an iPhone?

How to Find GIFs on an iPhone?

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Introduction

In today’s world of quick messages and instant communication, GIFs have become one of the most fun and creative ways to express emotions, reactions, and ideas. Whether you’re laughing at a meme, celebrating with a funny clip, or sending a heartfelt reaction, a GIF can say much more than words alone.

If you own an iPhone, you might wonder: How do I find GIFs quickly and share them with friends? Fortunately, iPhones come with built-in GIF functionality and also support third-party apps like GIPHY, giving you plenty of options.

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover:

  • What GIFs are and why they matter.
  • How to access GIFs on your iPhone using the Messages app.
  • How to use third-party GIF apps like GIPHY.
  • Tips for saving, sharing, and organizing GIFs.
  • How to troubleshoot if GIFs aren’t working on your iPhone.

By the end, you’ll be a pro at finding, sending, and managing GIFs with ease.

What Are GIFs?

The word GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format. It’s a short animation that loops endlessly, giving it a video-like quality but in an image file format. Unlike videos, GIFs don’t require sound and are lightweight, making them quick to load and easy to share.

GIFs have been around since 1987, but their popularity skyrocketed with the rise of social media and messaging apps. They are now considered a universal language of the internet, allowing people to express humor, sarcasm, joy, frustration, or excitement without typing a single word.

Why People Love GIFs

  • Expressive: Perfect for conveying emotions in chats.
  • Quick & fun: Much faster than typing long replies.
  • Relatable: Pop culture GIFs from movies, sports, and memes make conversations lively.
  • Lightweight: Small file sizes make them easy to send, even with weak internet.

Do iPhones Support GIFs?

Absolutely! Apple has made it extremely easy for iPhone users to access, send, and save GIFs. You don’t even need to download anything extra because the Messages app includes a built-in GIF library called #images.

This means you can:

  • Search for trending or specific GIFs.
  • Send them instantly within iMessage.
  • Save GIFs you receive into your Photos app for later use.

If that’s not enough, you can also install third-party GIF apps from the App Store, like GIPHY or Tenor, which expand your options and keep your conversations even more exciting.

How to Find GIFs on an iPhone (Step-by-Step)

1. Finding GIFs Using the Messages App (#images)

This is the most direct and easiest way. Here’s how:

  1. Open Messages App – Tap the Messages icon and enter any conversation.
  2. Tap the “+” Button – You’ll see this next to the text field.
  3. Locate #images – Scroll through the app drawer until you find the #images icon. If it’s missing, swipe left and tap More to enable it.
  4. Browse GIFs – A gallery of trending GIFs will appear.
  5. Search for Specific GIFs – Use the search bar above to type a reaction like “happy,” “angry,” or even a character name.
  6. Select and Send – Tap the GIF you like and hit the blue send arrow.

That’s it—you’ve shared your first GIF directly from iMessage!

2. Finding GIFs Using Third-Party Apps (Like GIPHY)

If the built-in library feels limited, you can explore third-party GIF apps. The most popular one is GIPHY, which has one of the world’s largest GIF collections.

Steps to use GIPHY on iPhone:

  1. Download GIPHY – Install from the App Store.
  2. Open Messages – Go to any conversation.
  3. Tap the “+” Button – Same as before.
  4. Select GIPHY App – Find GIPHY in the app drawer.
  5. Explore GIF Library – Browse categories or search keywords.
  6. Choose and Share – Select a GIF and send instantly.

With GIPHY, you can even create your own custom GIFs from videos, making your chats truly personal.

3. Saving GIFs to Your iPhone

Sometimes you receive an amazing GIF that you want to reuse later. Here’s how to save it:

  1. Press and Hold the GIF in your chat.
  2. Tap “Save” – It will be stored in your Photos app.
  3. Access it later and resend whenever you want.

4. Sharing GIFs Outside Messages

Did you know you can use GIFs outside iMessage too? Here are some examples:

  • WhatsApp: Paste saved GIFs or use its built-in library.
  • Instagram & Facebook: Upload GIFs to chats and stories.
  • Mail: Attach GIFs to your emails for fun communication.

Troubleshooting: When GIFs Don’t Work on iPhone

Sometimes, GIFs may not load or send properly. Here are common fixes:

  1. Check Internet Connection – GIFs require a stable connection.
  2. Enable #images – Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and add #images if missing.
  3. Update iOS – Outdated software may cause compatibility issues.
  4. Reinstall Third-Party Apps – If GIPHY or Tenor fails, reinstall them from the App Store.

Tips to Make the Best Use of GIFs on iPhone

  • Save your favorites – Build your personal library of GIFs in the Photos app.
  • Use reactions smartly – GIFs are fun but don’t overuse them in professional chats.
  • Create custom GIFs – With GIPHY, turn videos or Live Photos into GIFs.
  • Stay updated – GIF trends change daily; search trending ones for fresh conversations.

The Future of GIFs on iPhone

With Apple continuously updating iOS, the way we use GIFs is only improving. Future updates may bring smarter GIF suggestions through AI, better integration across apps, and enhanced customization options.

Conclusion

GIFs are one of the most creative ways to enhance conversations on your iPhone. Whether you use the built-in #images feature in Messages or rely on third-party apps like GIPHY, finding and sending GIFs is quick and fun.

From saving GIFs in your Photos app to troubleshooting issues and even creating your own custom GIFs, Apple makes it simple to keep your conversations engaging.

So the next time words aren’t enough, just add a GIF—it’s the perfect way to say it all.