How to Send GIFs on Snapchat
The modern world has witnessed the birth of many new ways to communicate through the Internet, being one of them using animated images (or GIFs) to express feelings and ideas.
The use of GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format) has been widely standardized over the years, and now it’s possible to use animated GIFs in almost all circumstances.
But how do you get GIFs on Snapchat? Is this even possible?
In today’s article on GrowFollowing, we will be bringing to you all the details you need about the following matters:
- How to send GIFs on Snapchat;
- Understanding GIFs on the Snapchat app;
- Best ways to use Snapchat GIFs.
Can You Use GIFs in Snapchat?
Yes, you can get GIFs on Snapchat, and they work perfectly! The use of GIFs on social media platforms is now more common than ever before.
Why use a classic smile icon where you can simply add GIFs to a conversation?
There’s a GIF for everything, and using them on Snapchat is possible, whether you own an iPhone or an Android.
GIFs can be used in any Snapchat chat, including classic Snapchat messages or personalized GIFs in Snapchat Snaps.
How to Send GIFs on Snapchat
There are different ways to send GIFs on Snapchat, and some of them depend on the type of device you use (Android app or iPhone app).
Either way, doing to it’s pretty easy, and you don’t need video editing skills to do so.
Without further ado, let’s learn how to send GIFs on Snapchat right away!
1. Send GIF on Snapchat Snap
Fortunately, there’s a “GIF” button on Snapchat that allows you to send GIFs in Snapchat messages.
It would work similarly to sending a picture as a Snap, and then adding an animated GIF to this picture or video.
Step 1: Go to a Snapchat Chat
Tap on the Snapchat icon to open the app, and log in to your Snapchat account as you normally do.
Then**, you need to look for the person you want to send the same Snap GIF to.**
You can type in their name in the text bar of the chat screen in order to find them faster.
Step 2: Capture or Record Snapchat Messages
Once you have opened the chat screen, you need to tap on the camera icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
This will open a pop-up camera window where you can record a new Snap. Record whatever Snap you want, and then proceed.
Step 3: Tap on the Sticker Icon and Add GIF Stickers to Snapchat Messages
After recording the Snap, you need to tap on the Sticker Icon in order to add GIF on Snapchat message.
A wide variety of GIFs will appear after you tap the GIF icon. You can use the search bar to look for more GIFs in this GIF feature, and then add them to the message.
Select the GIF, and simply drag it across the screen to place it whenever you want.
If you go back and use the Edit option, you can look for another specific GIF if you please and simply paste it on the message - there are too many GIFs to choose from!
You can always unsend a Snap in case you don’t like it.
2. Send GIF on Snapchat Using the GIPHY Keyboard
If you don’t want to paste a GIF on Snapchat Snaps, and instead you want to use the GIF option to send an individual message, then your best course of action is to use GIPHY.
There are many third-party keyboards that can help you to add GIFs to Snapchat.
However, the GIPHY virtual keyboard is the best of them all. Learn more about GIPHY default keyboard here: GIPHY.com.
1. Using the GIPHY Keyboard on Android Phones
Some Android Devices use the Gboard App as their main default keyboard, meaning that they must manually select GIPHY in order to use it.
- Go to Settings on your Android phone, then select “Languages,” “Input,” and finally “Keyboard Options;”
- In this Keyboard Option, you can see active keyboards on your device. If your phone’s manufacturer installed GIPHY, you will find it here. Otherwise, you need to download it;
- Select GIPHY as your new keyboard, and you will be ready to use it;
- Go to a Snapchat Chat, and tap on the Globe Icon on your new keyboard. Use the text bar to search for the GIFs you want to send, and you will be good to go!
2. Using the GIPHY Keyboard on iPhone Devices
The process of using the GIPHY Keyboard works similarly on iPhone:
- Go to iPhone Settings, and search “Keyboard” in the menu bar;
- Change your current default keyboard to GIPHY;
- Go to a Snapchat Chat, tap on the Globe Icon, and select the GIF on Snapchat you want to send.
3. Send GIF on Snapchat From Your Phone’s Image Gallery
Instead of changing your Gboard app to GIPHY, you can also send GIF directly from your camera roll. It works like this:
- Download or save GIF you want to send on Snapchat;
- Go to your phone’s gallery, find the GIF, and select the “Share” option;
- Now, select “Share to Snapchat,” tap on the chat where you want to send GIF, and there you go - the GIF will be sent to the recipient!
4. Create Your Own GIFs Using the GIPHY App
The GIPHY App is the best GIF maker around. You can make your own custom GIFs by using the GIPHY window. This works whether you use still images or videos to create GIFS.
If you want to learn how to make your own GIFs using GIPHY, check out this official GIPHY Tutorial - it will help you within minutes!
The created GIFs will go straight to your gallery and can later be used on Snapchat.
That’s all you need to know about Snapchat and GIFs! Need more Snapchat insights and guides? You can find them all here, at GrowFollowing.
FAQ
Can You Send GIFs from Camera Roll on Snapchat?
Yes, you can - simply look for the GIF in your gallery and share it on Snapchat, as explained in point 3 of this guide.
Karen is a senior technical writer and copywriter here at GrowFollowing. Her area of expertize are social media apps and new media.