How to Send GIFs on iPhone Messages: The #images Guide

To send GIFs on iPhone Messages, open a conversation, tap the Apps button, tap #images, tap Find images, enter a keyword, then tap a GIF and tap Send. This built-in #images feature lets you search and send animated GIFs without ever leaving your conversation.

How to Send GIFs on iPhone Messages with #images

The #images feature is Apple's built-in GIF search tool, and it's the fastest way to send GIFs on iPhone Messages. It pulls from a large online library, so you can find an animation for nearly any reaction or topic. The entire process happens inside your conversation, so there's no need to switch apps or copy and paste.

Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
Open a new or existing conversation.
Tap the Apps button, which looks like the letter "A" and sits next to the text input field.
Swipe up in the app drawer or tap the #images icon to open it. If you don't see it, swipe left through the app icons to find it.
Tap Find images to open the search bar.
Enter a keyword like "birthday" or "celebration" to search for a specific type of GIF.
Browse the results and tap the GIF you want to send.
Tap the Send button to share it in the conversation.

There are two things to know about how #images works. First, Apple states that #images is not available in all countries or regions, so you may not see it depending on your location. Second, GIFs found through #images animate only in the Messages app on Apple devices; if you send one to someone on another platform, it may arrive as a static image.

How to Save a Received GIF and Send It from the Photos App

If someone sends you a GIF you want to reuse, you can save it to your Photos library and send it again later. This is useful when you want to keep a favorite reaction GIF or share it with someone else outside of the original conversation.

Open the conversation that contains the GIF.
Touch and hold the GIF in the message bubble.
Tap Save in the menu that appears. The GIF is saved to the Photos app.
Open the Photos app and find the GIF in your library.
Tap the GIF to open it.
Tap the share button, which is the square with an arrow pointing up.
Choose Messages from the share sheet.
Select the contact or conversation you want to send it to, then tap Send.

This method works well when you have a GIF saved from any source, not just from Messages. Any GIF you store in Photos can be shared this way, and the recipient will see it as an animated image in their Messages app.

How to Send GIFs Using Third-Party Keyboard Apps

If #images is unavailable in your region or you want more GIF options, a third-party keyboard app is a solid alternative. Keyboards like Gboard and SwiftKey include built-in GIF search, so you can find and send animations directly from your keyboard without opening another app. You can also send GIFs directly from other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, which have their own built-in GIF search features.

Download and install a third-party keyboard app from the App Store. Gboard and SwiftKey are popular choices that include GIF search.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap General, then tap Keyboard, and then tap Keyboards.
Tap Add New Keyboard and select the third-party keyboard you installed.
Open the Messages app and start a conversation.
Tap the globe icon on the keyboard to switch to the third-party keyboard.
Look for the GIF icon or a search bar inside the keyboard app.
Enter a keyword to search for a GIF, or browse the available categories.
Tap the GIF you want to send, add any text if you like, then tap Send.

Third-party keyboards give you access to a different GIF library than #images, which can be helpful when you're looking for something specific. They also work in other messaging apps, not just Messages, so you can use the same keyboard to send GIFs in WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and other apps.

Why Can't I Find #images in My Messages App?

The most common reason #images is missing is that Apple says the feature is not available in all countries or regions. If you're in a region where #images isn't supported, the icon won't appear in your app drawer no matter how many times you swipe.

Before assuming it's a regional issue, double-check the app drawer. Open a conversation, tap the Apps button, and swipe up or scroll through the row of icons. The #images icon may be hidden behind other apps like photo editing and collage apps, so swipe left through the full row to look for it. If you still don't see it, the feature is likely unavailable in your region.

When #images isn't available, a third-party keyboard with GIF search is the best workaround. Gboard and SwiftKey both offer reliable GIF search and work directly in Messages, so you can still find and send animations without leaving your conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do GIFs from #images animate in all apps?

No. Apple documents that GIFs from #images animate only in the Messages app on Apple devices. If you send one to someone using a different messaging platform, it may appear as a static image.

Can I search for GIFs by category in #images?

#images uses keyword search, so you type what you're looking for rather than browsing categories. Enter a term like "happy" or "cat" to see matching results.

Will a saved GIF from Messages keep animating in Photos?

Yes, the GIF is saved as an animated file in the Photos app. When you share it back through Messages, the recipient will see it animate in the conversation.

Do third-party keyboard GIFs work in other messaging apps?

Yes. Once you enable a keyboard like Gboard or SwiftKey, its GIF search works in any app that uses the keyboard, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and other messaging apps.