How to Save a GIF on an iPhone

Last Updated: December 30, 2021 Tested

GIF files are a popular internet image format due to their small size and ability to be animated. If you want to save a GIF to your iPhone, read this wikiHow article to learn how.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Saving a GIF

1
Find the GIF that you want to save. You can save any GIF that you find online, or that is emailed or messaged to you.
- You can browse websites like GIPHY or Google for GIFs.
2
Press and hold on the GIF that you want to save. A menu will appear after a few moments.
3
Select "Save Image". The GIF file will be downloaded and saved to your Camera Roll.^{[1]
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- If you have an iPhone 6s or later with 3D Touch, you can just press firmly on the screen over the picture, then swipe up, and tap Save.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Viewing and Sharing the GIF

1
Open the Photos app. Your GIF can be found in the Camera Roll. If you are running an older version of iOS (10 and lower), you won't be able to see the GIF animated; instead, you'll see a still frame of it.
2
Tap Albums. It's at the bottom of your screen and will show you the different albums you have.
3
Tap Animated. This album is under the "Media Types" header.
4
Tap the GIF to open it. Again, if you're running iOS 10 or lower, you will see a still frame of the animation, but you can send it in Messages and it will be animated.
5
Tap the Share button and select "Message" or "Mail". You can see the image animate again when you message or mail it to someone.
6
Select a recipient. The compose message or email screen will appear with your GIF.
- If you just want to view the GIF yourself, send the email message to your own address.
7
Send the message. Once the message is sent, you'll see your animated GIF in the conversation list.

Community Q&A

Question

What if I installed Giphy but can't hear any sounds from them on my iPhone 6S?

Community Answer

GIFs are a collection of photos (frames). They do not have sound files attached to them. In other words, they don't make noise.
Question

How do I make the GIF "move" on an iPhone 5C when I want to text it to someone?

Community Answer

Even if it does not move in the photo app, it should animate once you send it.
Question

How do I post GIFs to Facebook?

Community Answer

You have to copy the GIF's URL (web address) and link it to your status. Just copy and paste.
Question

Can I save a gif that I have sent to myself?

Community Answer

Yes, but on some phones It would become a photo that does not animate again. Unless you use the App store to find an app that saves them for you.
Question

Why does the GIF not play after saving it to my phone?

Community Answer

Depends on your photo gallery app. Some might support GIF animation and some might not.
Question

How do I save a GIF to my camera roll and still have the GIF be animated?

Community Answer

You can install an app called Gifitize. It will also find all of your GIFs from your camera roll and put them in an album inside the app.
Question

Does the iPhone 5 support gifs?

Community Answer

Yes, it does.
Question

How can I hear the sound associated with a GIF?

Community Answer

GIFs do not have sound files attached to them. Therefore, they do not make sound. When you watch a GIF and don't hear anything, that's normal.