The short answer: open a conversation in Messages, tap the + button, tap #images, tap Find images and type a word like “birthday,” then tap the GIF you like and tap Send (Apple). It’s built into the iPhone, so there’s nothing to download.
Send a GIF, step by step
- Open Messages. Tap an existing conversation, or tap the Compose button and enter a contact.
- Tap the + (add) button next to the text box.
- Tap #images. You’ll see trending GIFs right away.
- To search, tap Find images, type a word such as birthday, thank you or congratulations, and tap search.
- Tap the GIF to add it to your message.
- Add a few words if you like, then tap Send (Apple).
Good search words to try
- Celebrations: happy birthday, anniversary, congrats, cheers.
- Thanks and love: thank you, hugs, miss you, love you.
- Reactions: lol, wow, yes, thumbs up, mic drop.
- Seasons: merry christmas, happy new year, happy thanksgiving.
Look at the GIF before sending. Some search results may not be the tone you expect.
Save a GIF you received
- Open the conversation with the GIF.
- Touch and hold the GIF, then tap Save (Apple).
Saved GIFs go to your Photos app, and you can send them again later from there. See how to send a picture on iPhone.
Prefer stickers or emoji?
In a conversation, tap +, then Stickers to send emoji, Memoji or stickers you’ve made. You can also drag a sticker onto someone’s message bubble (Apple).
If #images is missing or not working
- Check language and region: go to Settings > General > Language & Region and make sure they’re set to a supported language and one of the countries above (Apple).
- Look further down the + menu. If you see a long list of apps, scroll to find #images.
- Check your connection. #images needs Wi-Fi or mobile data to load GIFs. See how to connect to Wi-Fi.
- Update iOS and restart the iPhone. See how to install updates safely.
Questions people ask about GIFs on iPhone
What is a GIF?
A GIF is a short, silent picture that moves and repeats, like a few seconds of a funny video. People send them to say happy birthday, congratulations or “that made me laugh.”
Why don’t I see #images?
#images is only offered in certain countries, and your iPhone’s language and region must be supported. Check Settings > General > Language & Region (Apple). It’s available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, India, Singapore, the Philippines and Japan (Apple).
Can I save a GIF someone sent me?
Yes. Touch and hold the GIF in the conversation, then tap Save. It goes into your Photos app (Apple).
Do GIFs cost extra?
No. They’re sent like any picture in Messages. If you aren’t on Wi-Fi, they use a little mobile data.
I found an offensive GIF. What can I do?
Apple asks you to take a screenshot of it and email it to [email protected] with a description (Apple).
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