How to Send GIFs in iMessage

GIFs are awesome features to use to convey a special message to someone. Whether it is to describe your emotions or a situation, it is much more effective to do so with an animated image than a simple emoji. If you're looking for ways to send GIFs through your iMessage app, you've come to the right place.

This article shares step-by-step instructions on how to send GIF in iMessage using iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You will learn how to use your device's default keyboard, but also how to share GIFs from third-party websites.

Without further ado, let's dive into it.

How to Send GIFs in iMessage on an iPhone

There are two different ways to send GIFs on iPhone: using the default keyboard or through third-party apps. The default iOS keyboard supports searching GIFs directly in iMessage. All iPhones running on iOS 10 and above have this feature. If you fall into this category, follow the steps below.

Send GIFs using the default iOS keyboard

Here's how to send GIFs in iMessage using default keyboard settings:

1. Open the iMessage app on your iPhone.
   
2. Select the chat you want to send a GIF to.
   
3. A list of icons will appear at the bottom of the screen. Select the red icon with a magnifying glass. This is the "#images" feature.
   
4. Enter your GIF's keywords in the search field. For example, if you want to send a congratulatory GIF, you can type in "Happy Birthday" or "Congratulations" or similar keywords depending on the occasion.
   
5. Choose the GIF you like by tapping on it.
   
6. Press "Send".
   

The iMessage app also lets you add comments to a GIF. Just type a message below the GIF before hitting "Send," and the message will be delivered with the GIF.

As you can see, sending a GIF using the default iOS keyboard only requires a few simple steps.

However, maybe you haven't found a GIF you like and decide to search the web instead. If so, let's explore how to share a GIF to iMessage from another app.

Share GIFs from another app

Maybe the default iOS gallery doesn't have a GIF that transfers the emotion you want to convey. Luckily, you can search outside the iOS area and pick just about any GIF on the internet. For example, GIHPY is the world's leading GIF database, and you can send one from there as well.

Just follow the steps below:

1. Find the GIF you like on GIPHY or any other website.
   
2. Tap the GIF to open it.
   
3. Press and hold the GIF and select "Copy."
   
4. Open the iMessage conversation where you want to send this GIF.
   
5. Tap the text box. It will bring up your keyboard.
   
6. Tap the text box again. This will bring up the "Paste" prompt.
   
7. Press "Paste" as it appears.
   
8. You will see a preview of the GIF image in your text box. Press "Submit" when ready.
   

How to Send GIFs in iMessage on an iPad

GIFs add a dose of fun and dynamics to conversations. Sometimes there's no better way to convey our feelings than with an animated image. Fortunately, sending GIFs to an iPad is a really simple task. If you're using iOS 10 or later, you'll be able to send motion pictures using your iPad's default keyboard.

Just follow the steps below:

1. Open the iMessage app on your iPad.
2. Navigate to the thread where you want to send a GIF.
3. You will see a list of icons at the bottom of your screen. Select the red with a magnifying glass in the middle.
4. Type your GIF keywords into the search box. For example, if you want to send a special GIF message, you can type "Get well soon" or "Congratulations" or other keywords depending on the situation.
5. Choose the GIF you like by tapping on it.
6. If you want to add a comment to accompany the GIF, do so by typing your message in the text box before clicking "Send".
7. Press "Send".

You might be using an older iPad running on versions earlier than iOS 10 or you couldn't find the appropriate GIF in the gallery. In this case, skip to the next section.

Send GIFs using third-party apps

You can always visit third-party websites and send GIFs from there. For example, GIPHY contains millions of GIFs that you can search and send through iMessage.

Here's how to find and send GIFs on iMessage using third-party tools:

1. Visit the website featuring a GIF you like.
2. Tap the GIF to open it.
3. Press and hold the GIF, then select "Copy."
4. Open the iMessage thread where you want to send this GIF.
5. Touch the text box to display the keyboard.
6. Tap the text box again to display the "Paste" prompt.
7. Press the black "Paste" prompt.
8. A preview of the GIF image will appear in your text box. Press "Submit" when ready.

If you choose a website other than GIPHY, the GIF you send may appear as a link rather than an image. Unless it's okay with you, make sure the address of the animated image you share ends in ".gif" so that your iMessage can load it as such.

How to Send GIFs in iMessage on a Mac

Finding and sharing GIFs on a Mac is no different than doing it on any other iOS device. All you have to do is search for a GIF in the gallery and hit the send button. If your Mac is running iOS 10 and above, you'll be able to do this from the system's default keyboard. Otherwise, you can find one online and send it to the chat.

Depending on your needs and operating system, follow the steps below:

Send GIFs Using Mac's Default Keyboard

The easiest way to send GIFs in an iMessage chat is to use the “#images” function. Just follow the steps below for detailed instructions:

1. Open the thread you want to send a GIF to on your Messages app.
   
2. Tap the App Store icon to the left of the iMessage box.
   
3. Select “#images”. It's the red icon with a magnifying glass in it.
   
4. Type the GIF keywords in the search box.
   
5. Tap the GIF you want to send.
6. (Optional) Enter a message to accompany the GIF.
   
7. Press the "Return" key on your keyboard to send the message.

Send GIFs using third-party apps

If you haven't found a GIF you like, you can always search the web and send the GIF to your iMessage chat. The Messages app recognizes all links ending in ".jpg" and presents them as such once you send the link. But if the link does not have this ending, it will be sent as a normal link.

You can use GIPHY to send GIF images to your chat box without worrying about the format, as they are always delivered as GIFs.

Here's how to do it:

1. Go to www.giphy.com and search for the GIF you like. You can use other websites, but be aware that your GIF may not be delivered as an animated image.
   
2. Click on the GIF you want to send.
   
3. Click the "Share" button next to the GIF.
   
4. Select "Copy GIF Link".
   
5. Open the iMessage thread where you want to send this GIF.
6. Paste the GIF into the text box.
   
7. Press the "Return" button to send the GIF.

iMessage GIFs explained

Sometimes stickers and emojis are not enough to convey our emotions, and sending GIFs is the best solution. Luckily, doing so on iPhone, iPad, and Mac is a cinch. Most users use the default keyboard and search for GIFs from the "#images" function. Others simply copy the GIF link from any website and paste it into the text box.

What's your favorite way to send GIFs? Are you using the default feature or looking for the perfect GIF online? Let us know in the comments section below.