Some people would argue that WhatsApp Messenger (now WhatsApp for Facebook) is the most popular messaging platform, being used by over 2 billion people worldwide. It is available on phone (Android and iOS) and desktop (macOS and Windows PC).
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is an image format that falls under the file category known as bitmaps (map of bits). GIF often last for a second – two seconds max.
This article will show you how to send GIFs on WhatsApp – on Android, iOS, and WhatsApp Web.
Table of Contents
WhatsApp on Android
Step 1: Ensure your account is activated on your Android phone.
Step 2: Tap on the WhatsApp icon to open it. By default, it opens to the Chats tab, and a list of chats will be displayed.
Step 3: You must have someone you want to send a GIF to. This could be a single person’s chat or a group chat. Navigate or scroll to that specific chat and tap on it. Messages will be displayed.
Step 4: Tap on the text box. Your phone’s keyboard will be shown.
Step 5: To get to a GIF, tap on the smiley face icon on the immediate left of the text box. The emojis (smiley faces, emoticons) you have recently used will be shown.
Step 6: On the bar that appears below the emojis, there are three icons: one for smileys, another for GIFs, and another for stickers. Tap on the GIF one.
Step 7: You can now scroll through the list of many GIFs. Pick the one you feel will communicate your message best.
Step 8: It will zoom in to the Send GIF screen, where you can add a caption.
Step 9: You can tap on the green send button. You have successfully sent your GIF.
WhatsApp on iOS
Step 1: Tap on the WhatsApp icon to launch the application.
Step 2: Open a chat with the person or group you want to send the GIF to.
Step 3: When the app opens, tap the plus (+) icon that appears immediately on the left side of the messaging text box.
Step 4: The open screen will display a button labeled Photo and Video Library. This displays images, clips, and videos from your local store.
Step 5: In the bottom-left corner, tap on the GIF button next to the magnifying glass icon.
Step 6: Add a caption if you wish, and then send it.
WhatsApp Web
This should be the same for both macOS and Windows PC:
Step 1: After scanning the QR code, your account will be displayed on the WhatsApp Web screen.
Step 2: Tap on the chat you want to send the GIF to. The chat will be displayed on the right side, occupying most of the screen.
Step 3: Tap on the smiley face icon in the bottom-left corner of the chat.
Step 4: Tap on GIF. On the Web, several tabs are displayed which are labeled Trending, Haha, Sad, Love, Reactions, Sport, and TV. These tabs make your GIF choices very specific.
Step 5: Tap on any tab, pick a GIF and after adding a caption, send it.
Sending a GIF is quite easy. GIF helps us to communicate better. Where words are not enough to express a particular message, GIFs are there to fill the gap.
Instead of typing “haha” or sending the “laughing” emoji, try to send a funny GIF today!