How to Add a GIF to an iMessage

The fastest way to send a GIF in iMessage

Open the conversation in iMessage, tap the app drawer icon (four dots in a circle) at the bottom left of the keyboard, then tap the GIF icon. Search for what you want or scroll through trending GIFs, tap the one you like, and it sends when ready. On iPhone 14 and newer, you can also hold down the space bar to open the app drawer faster.

If you don't see a GIF icon in your app drawer, you may need to add it first. Tap the plus sign in the app drawer, scroll to find Giphy (the built-in GIF service), and tap the plus sign next to it. After that, the GIF icon will appear every time you open the drawer.

The GIF appears in the conversation as a full-size image, not as a link. The person receiving it sees the actual animation, and it works the same way whether they have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running a recent version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.

Key Takeaways

Tap the app drawer (four dots) below the keyboard, then tap the GIF icon to search and send a GIF in one step.
If the GIF icon is missing, open the app drawer, tap the plus sign, find Giphy, and add it to your drawer.
GIFs send as full animations in the conversation, not as links, and work across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
You can search for specific GIFs by keyword or browse trending ones without leaving the iMessage window.

Adding the GIF app to your drawer if it's not there

The GIF icon should appear by default in iMessage, but if you've removed it or it never showed up, you can add it back in seconds. Open any conversation, tap the app drawer icon (the four dots), and look for a plus sign at the left or right edge of the row of app icons.

Tap that plus sign and a list of available apps appears. Scroll down until you see Giphy, which is Apple's built-in GIF service. Tap the plus sign next to Giphy to add it. The GIF icon now appears in your app drawer every time you open it, and you won't have to do this again.

If you want to remove the GIF icon later or rearrange your app drawer, tap and hold any icon in the drawer, then drag it to reorder or tap the minus sign to remove it.

Searching for a specific GIF

Once you tap the GIF icon, a search box appears at the top. Type what you're looking for—"cat," "celebration," "confused," "thumbs up"—and results load when ready. The search is broad, so you'll usually find multiple options for the same idea.

If you don't want to search, scroll down to see trending GIFs that Giphy is currently featuring. These change throughout the day and are a good way to find something funny or relevant without knowing exactly what to ask for.

Tap any GIF to preview it before sending. The preview shows the full animation so you can make sure it's the right one. If you change your mind, tap outside the preview or swipe down to close it and pick a different one.

What happens after you send a GIF

Once you tap a GIF, it sends when ready to the conversation. The recipient sees the full animation playing in the message thread, just like a photo. They don't need to tap a link or read anything—the GIF is already there.

On the sender's end, the GIF appears with a small Giphy watermark in the corner. This is normal and doesn't affect how the recipient sees it. If you want to unsend a GIF, you can long-press the message and tap "Undo Send" within two minutes on iOS 16 and newer.

GIFs count toward your iCloud backup like other messages, so they don't take up extra space on your device. If you delete the conversation, the GIFs delete with it.

Why a GIF might not send or appear

If you tap a GIF and nothing happens, check your internet connection first. GIFs require an active connection to read and send, so poor Wi-Fi or cellular signal can cause delays. Wait a few seconds and try again.

If the GIF icon is missing entirely from your app drawer, you may have accidentally removed Giphy. Follow the steps in the "Adding the GIF app to your drawer" section above to add it back.

If the recipient can't see the GIF, they may be running an older version of iOS or macOS that doesn't support iMessage GIFs. This is rare on current devices, but if they're on an older iPhone or Mac, they might see a link instead of the animation. Ask them to update their operating system if possible.

Using GIFs on iPad and Mac

The process is identical on iPad. Open Messages, tap a conversation, tap the app drawer, and tap the GIF icon. The search and preview work the same way, and the GIF sends as a full animation in the conversation.

On Mac, open Messages and click a conversation. Click the app drawer icon (looks like four dots or a plus sign, depending on your macOS version), then click the GIF icon. Search and send the same way. The GIF appears in the conversation thread on all your devices.

If you start typing a message on iPhone and finish it on Mac, or vice versa, any GIFs you've sent appear on both devices in the same conversation. This is because iMessage syncs across your Apple devices when you're signed into the same iCloud account.

Alternatives if Giphy isn't working

Giphy is the only built-in GIF service in iMessage, so you can't switch to a different provider directly through the app drawer. However, you can copy a GIF from a web browser and paste it into iMessage. Open Safari or another browser, find a GIF you like, long-press it, tap "Copy," then go back to iMessage and paste it.

You can also search for GIFs in Google Images, set the filter to "Animated," and copy one from there. This method takes longer than using the built-in GIF icon, but it works if Giphy's search isn't finding what you want.

Another option is to send a GIF through a different app—like Giphy's standalone app, Tenor, or a web link—and then share that with the person through iMessage. This is less seamless than the built-in method, but it gives you access to a wider range of sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a GIF to someone with an Android phone?

Yes. If you send an iMessage GIF to someone with an Android phone, it converts to an MMS message and still appears as an animation on their device. The quality may be slightly lower depending on their carrier and phone, but the GIF will play.

Do GIFs use data when I send them?

Yes, GIFs require an internet connection to send and receive. They use a small amount of data—usually less than a photo—but the exact amount depends on the GIF's length and resolution. If you're on a limited data plan, sending many GIFs can add up over time.

Can I make my own GIF and send it through iMessage?

Not directly through the built-in GIF icon. You would need to create or read a GIF file, save it to your phone, then attach it to an iMessage manually. Most people use the Giphy search instead because it's faster and doesn't require storing files on your device.

Why does the GIF icon sometimes disappear from my app drawer?

If you swiped left on the GIF icon or tapped the minus sign, you removed it from your drawer. It's still available in iMessage—you just need to add it back by tapping the plus sign in the app drawer and selecting Giphy again.

Can I send a GIF in a group chat?

Yes. The process is exactly the same in group conversations. Tap the app drawer, tap the GIF icon, search or browse, and tap the GIF you want. It sends to the entire group and everyone sees the animation in the thread.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.