GIFs are animated images that, thanks to their popularity, have now become an integral part of online communication: They are supported by all major social networks and messaging apps, and are also available on WhatsApp. If you’re reading this guide right now, it’s probably because you’re interested in this feature but don’t know how to use it, right? Then don’t worry.
In fact, in the following lines, you will find an explanation of how to create GIF files in WhatsApp, getting them from videos taken with your smartphone and using a huge database of ready-to-use GIF files integrated into WhatsApp. The latter is also available from the WhatsApp client for Windows and macOS and from WhatsApp Web, so you can share GIF files not only from WhatsApp for Android and iPhone but also from a PC.
How to make a GIF in WhatsApp with Android
If you have an Android smartphone, you will be glad to know that there is more than one solution for creating GIFs on WhatsApp. You can convert a video in your device’s memory into a GIF, you can create an animated image after recording a movie, or you can send a ready-to-use GIF by selecting it from those present in the default application database.
To get started, launch the WhatsApp application on your device and open the chat you are interested in. Now, to create a GIF on the spot, starting with an existing video (it should last no more than 6 seconds), click the button with the paper clip symbol and select in the suggested menu whether to create a GIF starting from a previously made video (gallery) or whether you need to record a video at the moment to convert to GIF (camera).
At this stage, after recording or after selecting a video to convert, use the on-screen indicators to set its start and end points (the maximum duration should be 6 seconds, otherwise the option to send as a GIF will not appear), click on the GIF button located in the upper right corner, add any signature and click on the arrow to send an image.
If, on the other hand, you just want to view the catalog of GIF files included in the WhatsApp database, click on the smiley icon that is in the text field. Once this is done, click on the GIF button, select the GIF you are interested in or find it through the search engine (magnifying glass icon) and to send it to the selected chat, click on the arrow icon.
How to make a GIF in WhatsApp with iPhone
As for the ability to create GIF files via the WhatsApp app on iPhone, the available options are the same as for Android. Thus, you can convert a video to a GIF, starting with a movie recorded on the spot or made earlier (it should last no more than 6 seconds), and you can also use the internal search engine of the WhatsApp application with a large number of ready-to-use GIF files.
To continue, launch the WhatsApp app on your iPhone, and on the chat screen, find and tap the conversation you are interested in.
Now press the button with the symbol (+) located in the lower left corner, then click on the Photo and Video Library item (to select a previously recorded video to convert to GIF) or on the Camera label (to record a video on the spot, through your device’s camera).
Once this is done, in both cases, to convert the video to GIF, use the yellow indicators to indicate the start and end points (it should last no more than 6 seconds), click the GIF button, add a title if necessary, and click the arrow button located in the lower right corner to send it.
Do you want to share an existing GIF file on WhatsApp by searching the internal database? In this case, after opening the chat screen with the user, press the (+) button and tap the Photo and Video Library item.
Now press the button with the magnifying glass symbol located at the bottom left. At this stage, find the GIF you are interested in or find it through a search engine. Finally, send it by clicking the arrow button.
How to make a GIF in WhatsApp from a PC
Even using WhatsApp for PC and WhatsApp Web, you can share animated GIFs in your conversations. However, in this case, at least for the moment, it is impossible to create new ones.
All you have to do is log in to WhatsApp from the client or WhatsApp Web by scanning the QR code that you see on your PC through the Settings > WhatsApp Web menu of the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
Once this is done, on the WhatsApp home screen on your computer, find the conversation you are interested in and click it, then click the smiley icon and click the GIF button to view all the available animated images and possibly use the search engine.
Finally, to send a GIF to the selected chat, click on it and tap the taper arrow.
Other solutions for creating GIF files
The WhatsApp application allows, as already mentioned, to convert videos to GIFs, but unfortunately, it is limited compared to other applications. Therefore, in the following lines, you will find several applications for Android and iOS that can be used for advanced GIF creation; the resulting images can be shared on WhatsApp or other popular social networks or instant messaging platforms.
- GIPHY (Android/iOS /iPadOS) is the most famous free application designed to create GIF files and search them in an extensive internal database. There are numerous advanced GIF creation tools available in this app, including stickers, frames, filters, and more.
- GIF Me! (Android/iOS/iPadOS) is another good GIF creation app. This application is also free and allows you to create animated images, starting with videos taken earlier or recorded on the spot. In addition to the tools for aesthetic adjustment of animated images, it also has advanced editing capabilities.
- GIF Maker (Android/iOS) — also available for free, this application allows you, like others, to easily create GIF files from scratch, as well as upload them using the appropriate internal database.