How to Play GIFs on PC or Mac

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This wikiHow teaches you how to open and play an animated GIF image on your computer using your web browser. You can play a GIF file you find and save in browsers like Safari, Chrome, and Firefox without having to install additional software.

Steps

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    If you downloaded the GIF from the internet you'll typically find it in your Downloads folder.
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    [1] A context menu will expand.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Play-GIFs-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-GIFs-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Play-GIFs-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg\/aid11145808-v4-728px-Play-GIFs-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [2] This will open a list of recommended applications on a sub-menu.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Play-GIFs-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-GIFs-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Play-GIFs-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-4.jpg\/aid11145808-v4-728px-Play-GIFs-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [3] Some popular browsers are Safari , Edge , Chrome , and Firefox . This will play the GIF in your browser.
    • If you don't see your browser on the "Open with" menu, click Choose another app or Other at the bottom. This will open a list of all the apps on your computer.
    • Alternatively, you can select Windows Media Player to open and play a GIF on a Windows PC.
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      Warnings

      • If you open a GIF file in Mac's stock image viewer Preview , you'll see a frame-by-frame breakdown of each animation frame. This will not play the GIF, but you can view individual frames from the animation.
        Thanks
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      References

      1. ↑ Mitch Harris. Consumer Technology Expert. Expert Interview. 31 August 31 2021.
      2. ↑ Mitch Harris. Consumer Technology Expert. Expert Interview. 31 August 31 2021.
      3. ↑ Mitch Harris. Consumer Technology Expert. Expert Interview. 31 August 31 2021.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Find and right-click the GIF file.
      2. Hover over Open with .
      3. Select your internet browser.
      4. Watch the GIF animation in your browser.

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 34,331 times.

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