It’s tough sometimes to convey emotions through simple text. Thankfully, GIFs add a layer of fun to your iPhone messages. Here’s how you can send them in iMessage.
Method 1: Using the iMessage Built-In App
The easiest way to share GIFs is directly through the built-in “#images” app within iMessage. It gives you access to a huge variety of GIFs.
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Open the Messages app on your iPhone and go to the conversation where you want to share the GIF.
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Look for the row of icons at the bottom of the screen, just below the text input box. Swipe through until you see the red “#images” icon (with a magnifying glass). Tap it.
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A selection of GIFs will pop up. You can swipe up to see more. Either browse what’s available or tap on the search bar labeled “Find images” to look for something specific.
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Type in what you’re looking for (a keyword or phrase) and tap ‘Search’ on the keyboard. A bunch of matching GIFs will then show up.
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Tap the GIF you want to use. It will appear in the message text box. You can type a comment if you’d like, then tap the blue send arrow. If it takes a moment to load, just wait before sending.
To preview the GIF in a larger size before sending, press and hold the GIF for a couple of seconds. A full preview will appear. If it looks good, tap the blue arrow next to it to add it to your message.
Method 2: Copying GIFs from Other Apps
If you can’t find the perfect GIF through the iMessage app, or if you have one from online, you can easily copy and paste it.
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Using Safari or any other browser, go to a website like giphy.com where you’ll find countless GIFs. When you see the GIF you want, tap and hold until you see a menu. Then tap ‘Copy’.
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Go back to the Messages app and select the chat where you want to send the GIF. Tap inside the text box to place the cursor there.
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Tap and hold inside the text box until you see the “Paste” option, and tap ‘Paste’. The GIF will appear in your message box. Add any text, then tap send to share!
GIFs are a great way to add a little something extra to your iMessage chats. Whether you use the built-in app or paste from elsewhere, they’re a fun way to make your messages more engaging.