To get GIFs on your iPhone, you’ll mainly use the built‑in Messages GIF search, third‑party GIF apps, or save GIFs from the web.

How to Get GIFs on iPhone

Quick Scoop

Below is a friendly, step‑by‑step guide plus a bit of “forum‑style” commentary mixed in.

1. Use the built‑in GIFs in Messages (#images)

This is the fastest way if you just want to send GIFs in iMessage.

Steps:

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Open a chat or start a new one.
  3. Tap the + button or the App Store / “A” icon next to the text box (on some iOS versions you may see icons above the keyboard).
  4. Look for “#images” (the red icon with a magnifying glass).
  5. Tap #images.
  6. Use the search bar (e.g., type “happy”, “birthday”, “cat”) to find a GIF.
  1. Tap a GIF to add it to your message.
  2. Tap Send.

If you only need GIFs inside Messages, this built‑in option will usually cover 90% of what you want.

If #images is missing:

  • It might be disabled, restricted in your region, or affected by an iOS update.
  • You can switch to a third‑party GIF keyboard like Tenor’s GIF Keyboard or use GIF apps such as GIPHY instead.

2. Get more GIFs with third‑party apps (GIPHY, Tenor, etc.)

If you want a bigger library, trending GIFs, or custom uploads, install a dedicated GIF app.

Popular options:

  • GIPHY – huge library, trending memes, stickers, create your own GIFs from photos and videos.
  • GIF Keyboard by Tenor – works as a keyboard you can use in many apps.

Basic way to use these apps:

  1. Install the app from the App Store (e.g., search “GIPHY” or “GIF Keyboard”).
  1. Open the app and search for a term (e.g., “reaction”, “facepalm”).
  1. Tap a GIF, then tap Share.
  2. Choose Messages , WhatsApp , Instagram DM , or Copy to paste into other apps.

Using as a keyboard (e.g., Tenor GIF Keyboard):

  1. Install GIF Keyboard by Tenor.
  1. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard and add the GIF keyboard.
  1. Allow Full Access (required so it can access online GIFs).
  1. In any app, tap and hold the globe icon on the keyboard, choose the GIF keyboard, then search and send GIFs.

Forum vibe: A lot of people like using GIPHY because the trending tab often has exactly the meme they saw on social media that day.

3. Save GIFs from Safari or Google to your Photos

You can also grab GIFs directly from websites and search results.

How to save a GIF:

  1. Open Safari (or another browser).
  2. Search for something like “funny dog GIF”.
  3. Tap the image you want so it opens in full.
  4. Long‑press the GIF.
  5. Tap “Save Image”.

This puts the GIF in your Photos app (usually under Recents or All Photos).

Important notes:

  • Some GIFs saved this way might look like a still image in Photos, but they will animate when sent in apps that support GIF playback (like Messages).
  • If the GIF won’t animate, try saving it from a reliable GIF site such as GIPHY instead of random Google results.

4. Use your own videos or Live Photos as GIFs

If you want fully custom reaction moments, you can turn your own content into GIFs.

Options:

  • Use Shortcuts app with “Make GIF” or similar shortcuts to turn videos into GIFs.
  • Use GIPHY or similar apps that let you record a short video and export it as a GIF.

Typical flow (Shortcuts / Make GIF):

  1. Open Shortcuts.
  2. Go to Gallery and search for “GIF” or “Make GIF”.
  1. Add the suggested shortcut.
  2. Run the shortcut, pick a video, wait for it to convert, and then save or share the GIF.

Typical flow (GIPHY app):

  1. Open GIPHY.
  2. Choose the option to create or record.
  3. Record your clip, then add filters, stickers, or text.
  1. Save or share the final GIF.

5. Sending GIFs in social and other apps

Once you “have” GIFs (via #images, apps, or saved files), you can send them almost anywhere.

Common places:

  • iMessage / SMS: Use #images, GIF apps’ share button, or attach from Photos.
  • WhatsApp / Telegram / Signal:
    • Use their built‑in GIF search, or
    • Tap photo attachment , pick your saved GIF from Photos.
  • Instagram Stories: Add GIFs via the sticker icon > GIF, then search and place them on your Story.

Example: You can reply in a group chat with a GIF you saved days ago from Safari—just attach it from Photos and it’ll play as an animation in most modern chat apps.

6. Mini FAQ (forum‑style)

“Why don’t my GIFs move in Photos?”
The Photos app often shows GIFs as a still preview, but they animate when shared in compatible apps like Messages; some downloads also get converted incorrectly depending on the site.

“Is #images available everywhere?”
No. Apple limits the feature in some countries and some iOS versions; if you don’t see it, third‑party apps like GIPHY or Tenor are the workaround.

“Do I need internet for GIF keyboards?”
Yes, they usually pull GIFs from online libraries, which is why they request “full access.”

Quick HTML table: Ways to get GIFs on iPhone

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Method</th>
      <th>Where you use it</th>
      <th>How you get GIFs</th>
      <th>Best for</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Messages #images</td>
      <td>iMessage only</td>
      <td>Search inside Messages and tap to send[web:1][web:5][web:6][web:8]</td>
      <td>Fast reactions in chats</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>GIPHY / Tenor apps</td>
      <td>Most messaging & social apps</td>
      <td>Search in app, share or copy GIFs[web:1][web:2][web:4][web:9]</td>
      <td>Huge library, trending memes</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Saving from Safari</td>
      <td>Photos + any app that sends images</td>
      <td>Long‑press GIF, “Save Image”[web:1][web:10]</td>
      <td>Specific GIFs you find on the web</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Shortcuts / custom GIFs</td>
      <td>Anywhere you can attach an image</td>
      <td>Convert your videos or bursts to GIFs[web:3][web:7]</td>
      <td>Personal or original reaction GIFs</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR: For most people wondering “how to get GIFs on iPhone” , start with the #images panel in Messages; if you want more variety or custom creations, add GIPHY or Tenor and save or share GIFs into any app you like.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.