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How to Text a GIF on an iPhone or Android
Brighten up any conversation
By Lisa Mildon Lisa Mildon Lifewire Technology Review Board Member & Quality Team Editor Southern New Hampshire University Lisa Mildon is a Lifewire writer and an IT professional with 30 years of experience. Her writing has appeared in Geekisphere and other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 7, 2021 Reviewed by Christine Baker Reviewed by Christine Baker Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Texting & Messaging Email Texting & Messaging Video Calls What to Know
iOS: In Messages, choose App drawer > #images. Enter a search term and choose a GIF. Send as you would a text.Android: In message app, tap Smiley icon. Choose a GIF or the search button to browse. Tap desired GIF, then choose Send.Gboard Keyboard: Tap the Smiley icon. Swipe to browse GIFs, or enter a GIF search term. This article explains how to text a GIF in iOS 10 and later, Android devices, and the Google Gboard keyboard. Send GIFs on iOS
GIFs can help express your thoughts or reactions with hilarious visuals or sometimes they're just silly or fun ways to communicate. Texting GIFs with an iPhone (or another iOS device) couldn't be easier. Apple built a GIF feature into its Messages app, so selecting and sending the perfect GIF is a breeze. Open the Messages app. Tap the Write icon (square with a pencil) in the upper-right corner. Enter the name of the person you want to message. Tap the App drawer button (triangle) on the left side. Tap the #images button (magnifying glass) on the bottom. Enter your search term for a GIF. Tap the GIF you want to send. Tap the Send (arrow pointing up) button. Missing the Images Button in IOS
If you are missing the #images button in your app drawer, do the following to install: Tap the App drawer icon (triangle). Swipe left on the app drawer and tap the More button (…). Tap Edit, then tap the plus sign (+) to add the #images app. 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. Open the Apps drawer (if it's not on your home screen). Open Messages. Tap the text bubble icon on the bottom of the screen. Enter in the name of the person you want to text. Select the Start button. 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. Enter the text you desire, then swipe to find a GIF. Tap the desired GIF. 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. Tap the smiley on the keyboard. Swipe to browse stickers or GIFs (or enter search text for your desired GIF). Tap to select the GIF you want. Tap the Send button. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Send GIFs on iPhone What Is a GIF? How to Send GIFs on Android How to Send a Text Message to a Group How to Forward a Text Message to Email How to Send Voice Messages on iPhone How to Email a GIF How to Post GIFs on Facebook How to Message on Tinder How to Save GIFs on an iPhone The 15 Best Hidden Features in iOS 16 How to Set up and Use the Google Duo Chat App How to Send a New Email With iPhone Mail App How to Use the Clipboard on Android Phones How to Schedule a Text Message on an iPhone How to Fix Not Getting Text Notifications on iPhone Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies