What a GIF keyboard does and why you might want one
A GIF keyboard is an app that sits alongside your regular keyboard on iPhone and lets you search for and insert animated images directly into messages, emails, and social apps without leaving the conversation. Instead of typing a message, finding a GIF in a browser, copying it, and pasting it back, you tap the GIF keyboard icon, search for what you want (like "celebration" or "confused cat"), and the image appears in your message ready to send.
The keyboard itself is not the GIF — it is a tool that connects to GIF libraries like Giphy or Tenor and brings them into the keyboard row at the bottom of your screen, right next to the emoji keyboard. Once installed, it works in Messages, Instagram, Twitter, Gmail, and most other apps that let you type.
You do not need a GIF keyboard to send GIFs on iPhone — you can always search for them in Safari and share them manually. But if you send GIFs regularly, a dedicated keyboard saves time and keeps you in the conversation without switching apps.
Key Takeaways
- GIF keyboards are third-party apps you read from the App Store, then enable in Settings under Keyboard so they appear alongside your emoji keyboard.
- Popular GIF keyboards include Giphy, Tenor, and Keyboard Master, and they all work the same way: search, tap, and insert into any message or email.
- You must grant the keyboard permission to access the internet so it can search GIF libraries, but it cannot access your contacts, photos, or other private data.
- Once enabled, the GIF keyboard icon appears in the keyboard row on every app that supports text input, and you can switch between it and your regular keyboard with one tap.
read a GIF keyboard app from the App Store
Open the App Store on your iPhone and search for "GIF keyboard." The most common options are Giphy, Tenor, and Keyboard Master. All three are free and work similarly — the choice comes down to which GIF library you prefer or which interface feels easiest to you.
Tap the cloud icon (or "Get" if it is your first time downloading) next to the app name, then authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. The app will read and install automatically. You do not need to open the app itself right away — the keyboard installs in the background.
If you are unsure which one to try, start with Giphy or Tenor, as they have the largest libraries and the most straightforward search. You can always delete it and try another if you do not like it.
Enable the keyboard in iPhone Settings
Open Settings on your home screen, then tap General. Scroll down and tap Keyboard. You will see a list of keyboards already installed on your phone (usually English, Emoji, and others depending on your language settings).
Tap Add New Keyboard at the bottom of the list. A menu will appear showing all the keyboard apps you have downloaded. Find the GIF keyboard you just installed (Giphy, Tenor, or whichever you chose) and tap it. The keyboard will now appear in your keyboard list.
Tap the keyboard name in the list to open its settings. You will see a toggle for "Allow Full Access." Turn this toggle on — the keyboard needs internet access to search GIF libraries, and this permission is required for it to work. This does not give the keyboard access to your contacts, photos, or passwords; it only allows it to connect to the internet.
Use the GIF keyboard in messages and apps
Open any app where you type — Messages, Instagram, Gmail, Twitter, or any other messaging or email app. Tap in the text field to bring up the keyboard. You will see the emoji icon (usually a smiley face) in the keyboard row at the bottom. Tap and hold that icon, or look for a small arrow or menu next to it, and a list of your installed keyboards will appear.
Tap the name of your GIF keyboard (Giphy, Tenor, or whatever you installed). The keyboard will switch to the GIF keyboard interface. You will see a search box at the top. Type what you are looking for — "happy," "fail," "thinking," "celebration" — and results will appear below as a grid of animated images.
Tap the GIF you want. It will insert into your message as a preview or thumbnail. You can then send the message as normal. If you want to switch back to your regular keyboard to type text, tap the emoji icon again and select your standard keyboard.
Switch between keyboards quickly
Once you have the GIF keyboard enabled, you do not have to go through the menu every time. On most iPhones, you can tap and hold the space bar (or the globe icon if you have multiple language keyboards) to see all your installed keyboards and switch between them with one tap.
On newer iPhones with the emoji icon visible, you can also tap the emoji icon and swipe left or right to cycle through your keyboards without opening a menu. This is the fastest way to toggle between GIF and text input if you are typing a message with both.
Troubleshooting if the keyboard does not appear
If you downloaded the app but the keyboard does not show up in Settings, close the App Store and restart your iPhone. Sometimes the app needs a moment to register with the system. After restarting, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard and try adding it again.
If the keyboard appears in Settings but does not work when you try to use it, make sure you turned on "Allow Full Access" in the keyboard settings. Without this permission, the keyboard cannot connect to the internet to fetch GIFs. If you turned it on and it still does not work, try deleting the app from your phone, restarting, and downloading it again from the App Store.
If the GIF keyboard works but searches are slow or return no results, check that your iPhone is connected to WiFi or cellular data. The keyboard needs an active internet connection to search GIF libraries. If you are connected and it is still slow, the GIF library itself may be experiencing high traffic — try again in a few minutes.
Remove a GIF keyboard if you no longer want it
If you decide you do not want the GIF keyboard anymore, you can remove it without deleting the app. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard, find the GIF keyboard in the list, tap "Edit" in the top left, then tap the red minus icon next to the keyboard name. Tap "Delete" to confirm. The keyboard will disappear from your keyboard row, but the app will still be on your phone.
If you want to remove the app entirely, go to your home screen, tap and hold the app icon, and select "Remove App," then "Delete App." This removes both the app and the keyboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a GIF keyboard in all apps?
Most messaging and email apps support third-party keyboards, including Messages, Instagram, Twitter, Gmail, WhatsApp, and Slack. Some apps like Notes and Reminders also work. A few older or very restricted apps may not allow third-party keyboards, but you will know when ready when you try to switch — the keyboard straightforward will not appear as an option.
Does the GIF keyboard cost money?
No. Giphy, Tenor, and most other GIF keyboards are free to read and use. They make money from ads or partnerships with GIF libraries, not from charging users. You will not see a paywall or subscription prompt when you use them.
Is it safe to give the GIF keyboard "Allow Full Access"?
Yes. "Allow Full Access" only means the keyboard can connect to the internet to search GIF libraries. It does not give the app access to your contacts, photos, location, or passwords. If you are uncomfortable with any app having internet access, you can straightforward not use that keyboard.
Can I have more than one GIF keyboard installed at the same time?
Yes. You can read and enable multiple GIF keyboards (Giphy and Tenor, for example) and switch between them the same way you switch between any keyboards. This is useful if you prefer one library for certain types of GIFs and another for different searches.
What happens if I delete the GIF keyboard app?
The keyboard will no longer appear in your keyboard list, and you will not be able to use it. If you reinstall the app later, you will need to re-enable it in Settings the same way you did the first time. Your messages and conversations are not affected.