How to Text a GIF on an iPhone or Android

Brighten up any conversation

by
Lisa Mildon
Lisa Mildon
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member & Writer
Lisa Mildon is a Lifewire writer and an IT professional with 30 years of experience. Her writing has appeared in Geekisphere and other publications.
our editorial process
Lisa Mildon
Updated on July 10, 2020

What to Know

  • You can text a GIF that is either static or animated to communicate a thought or emotion.
  • iPhones have a built-in feature for texting GIFs.
  • Newer Android devices also have a built-in ability to text GIFs, but older models may require a workaround.

GIFs can help express your thoughts or reactions with hilarious visuals or sometimes they're just silly or fun ways to communicate. Whether you have an iOS device or an Android, here's how to text a GIF.

Send GIFs on iOS

Texting GIFs with an iPhone (or another iOS device) couldn't be easier. Apple built a GIF feature right into its Messages app, so selecting and sending the perfect GIF is a breeze. The following steps work for iOS 10 and newer.

  1. Open the Messages app.

  2. Tap on the Write button (square with a pencil) in the top right corner.

  3. Enter the name of the person you want to message.

    Three iOS Screens showing Messages icon, New message icon, and To: field

  4. Tap the App drawer button (triangle) on the left side.

  5. Tap the #images button (magnifying glass) on the bottom.

  6. Enter your search term for a GIF.

    Three iOS screens showing App drawer, GIF button, and Find Images field

  7. Tap the GIF you want to send.

  8. Tap the Send (arrow pointing up) button.

    Two iOS screens showing choosing a GIF in Messages and the Send button

Missing the Images Button in IOS?

If you are missing the #images button in your app drawer, do the following to install:

  1. Tap the App drawer icon (triangle).

  2. Then swipe left on the app drawer and tap the More button (…).

  3. Tap Edit, then tap the plus sign (+) to add the #images app.

    Three iOS screens showing App drawer, More button, and green plus button to add #images to Favorites

You can also download and send GIFs from third-party apps from the App Store for a wider selection of content.

Send GIFs on Android

With Android devices, you have a few options for texting GIFs. Using the built-in Messages app is very similar to iPhone's Messages. The following steps work for Android Oreo and newer (unless otherwise stated).

Add a GIF From a Messaging App

The first method works directly from your messaging app.

  1. Open the Apps drawer (if it’s not on your home screen).

  2. Open Messages.

  3. Tap the text bubble icon on the bottom of the screen.

  4. Enter in the name of the person you want to text.

  5. Select the Start button.

    Three Android screens showing Apps, Speech Bubble, and Start buttons to text a GIF

  6. Select the built-in GIF button (smiley) which is located within the text entry field by tapping it.

    For Android Nougat: Tap the Smiley button, then tap the GIF button.

    You’ll get an option for stickers or GIFs to browse.

    Or, to find a specific GIF, tap the search button.

    Three Android screens showing the GIF button, the Search field and the "hello" term entered into search

  7. Enter in the text you desire, then swipe to find a GIF.

  8. Tap the desired GIF.

  9. Tap the Send button (looks like a paper airplane or triangle).

Add a GIF Using the Gboard Keyboard

If you have the Gboard keyboard by Google, there's another method to add a GIF.

  1. Tap the smiley on the keyboard.

    Three Android Screens showing Send button, Gboard icon, and emoticon icon on keyboard

  2. Swipe to browse stickers or GIFs (or enter search text for your desired GIF).

  3. Tap to select the GIF you want.

  4. Tap the Send button.