3 Ways to Text a GIF in Messages to Someone on Android

PDF download Download Article
A quick guide to using Gboard & Giphy
PDF download Download Article

Static images can be boring, so why not share an animated GIF instead? GIFs are short, animated images that are popular to send to friends as a fun way to communicate without using any words. If you've downloaded a GIF file from the internet, you can easily attach it to a text message. For an even easier method, you can use the Giphy app or the Google keyboard (Gboard), to search and send GIFs as text messages. This wikiHow article teaches you how to send GIFs as text messages on Android smartphones and tablets.

Easy Ways to Send a Gif on an Android

  • Download Gboard, open a text, and tap “GIF.”
  • Install Giphy, tap a gif, and select the green message icon.
  • Save a gif online, open a text, tap “Images,” and select your gif.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Gboard

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you haven't already, install Gboard, the Google keyboard, on your Android phone. [1]
    • You can download Gboard from the Google Play Store .
    • Once installed, you'll need to make it the default keyboard . The steps for this may be worded differently on different phone models, but the steps are similar. Go to Settings > General management > Keyboard list and default > Default Keyboard > Gboard . This won't work unless you change the default keyboard to Gboard.
  2. Select an ongoing conversation or tap the option to compose a new text message and select a recipient from your contact list. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Tap the message field to type your text message so your keyboard will appear. If Gboard is your default keyboard, this will open the Gboard keyboard automatically.
  4. The GIF tab is at the top row of the keyboard, somewhat near the middle. [3]
  5. You can browse GIFs by tapping the categories tabs or typing a keyword in the search bar to search for a specific GIF.
  6. Tap the GIF you want to send and it will automatically be added to the text message you are creating. [4]
  7. It's the paper airplane icon in the bottom-right of your text messaging app. This will send the GIF you selected to the contact you selected. [5]
    • On some text messaging apps, this button may say "Send" instead.
    • If you want to exit the GIF keyboard, press the ABC key.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using the Giphy App

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's the app with the icon of a multi-colored neon outline of a page on a black background, located in the app drawer on your Android phone. [6]
  2. You can tap the tabs at the top of the screen to browse GIFs by category, or you can use the search bar at the top of the screen to search for GIFs by name or keywords. [7]
    • The "Trending" and "Reactions" sections are usually filled with fun animations from popular shows and movies.
  3. This will display a large version of the GIF with some sharing options below the GIF. [8]
  4. It's the green icon with a square-shaped speech bubble.
  5. If you want to send the GIF to someone in your contacts list, select the contact from your contact list, or you can tap the option to select a new contact or compose a new message. Once a contact is selected, you'll see a preview of the GIF added to the message field of the text message. [9]
    • These options will vary depending on the default texting app you are using.
    • You can add an optional message to the text message as well by tapping the text field portion of the text.
  6. It's the paper airplane icon on the bottom-right corner of the screen. This sends your GIF file in a text message to the contact you selected. [10]
    • On some text messaging apps, this button may say "Send" instead.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Sending a Saved GIF on Your Phone

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's the app with the icon of a white speech bubble on a blue background, usually located in your Android phone's app drawer.
  2. Tap the blue circular button with a white plus sign "＋" in the bottom-right corner of the app to create a new chat, then select a contact from your contacts list. [11]
  3. Tap the image icon (which is usually the left-most icon at the bottom of your screen) to open your phone's gallery or storage.
    • If the GIF is not in your gallery, tap the plus sign and Image instead to see other places for storage.
  4. Tap the GIF you want to send to attach it to the text message. You'll see the GIF inserted into a small preview image of the text message. You should see the animation play in the preview window so you can see what it looks like before you send it. [12]
  5. It's the paper airplane icon on the right side of the message field. This sends the animated GIF image in a text message.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If you use the Google Messaging App (it's not the default text messaging app in non-Google Android phones like Samsungs, but it's the default for Google phones like the Pixel), you can also tap the + , select GIF , then search or browse for a GIF you'd like to send. Tap a GIF to send it.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add Widgets on Android
      How to
      Check What Android Version You Have
      How to
      Add an App Back to Home Screen: Tips for Finding Apps
      4 Simple Ways to Turn Off Safe Mode on Any Android
      3 Ways to Unlock an Android Tablet
      How to
      Block All Incoming Calls on an Android Phone
      How to
      Find Your Phone Number on Android
      How to
      Connect Android Phone to Computer
      How to
      Hide Apps on Android
      How to
      Copy an Entire Text Conversation on Android
      How to
      Change Number of Rings on Android
      A Guide to Copying and Pasting with the Android Clipboard
      How to
      Disable Parental Controls on Android
      6 Ways to Fix "Insufficient Storage Available" on an Android
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://9to5google.com/2022/04/22/how-to-use-gboards-gif-keyboard-on-any-phone/
      2. ↑ https://9to5google.com/2022/04/22/how-to-use-gboards-gif-keyboard-on-any-phone/
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/gboard/answer/2842292?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/gboard/answer/2842292?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      5. ↑ https://support.google.com/gboard/answer/2842292?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      6. ↑ https://giphy.com/apps
      7. ↑ https://giphy.com/explore/browse
      8. ↑ https://support.giphy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020071472-How-to-Text-a-GIF
      9. ↑ https://support.giphy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033083931-How-to-Send-GIFs-Stickers-and-GIPHY-Text-in-iMessage
      1. ↑ https://support.giphy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020071472-How-to-Text-a-GIF
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/6159880?hl=en
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/6159880?hl=en

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 244,809 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement