How to Make a GIF on iPhone: Unleash Your Creative Animation Skills

By Riley Published June 30, 2023

GIFs, those short and captivating animated images, have become an integral part of our online conversations. Adding a GIF to your message or social media post can inject a dose of fun and expressiveness.

If you've been wondering how to make a GIF on your iPhone, you're in luck! In this article, we'll guide you through various methods to create your own GIFs using your iPhone or iPad.

Method 1: Creating a GIF from Photos

Step 1: Capture or Select Photos

To make a GIF from a series of photos, you'll need to gather the images you want to include. You can either capture new photos using your iPhone's camera or select existing photos from your camera roll. Choose images that represent the sequence you want to animate.

Step 2: Open the Photos App

Once you have your desired photos ready, open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad. Locate the album or the individual photos you want to use for your GIF.

Step 3: Create the GIF

Tap on the "Select" button in the top right corner and choose the photos you want to include in your GIF. After selecting the photos, tap on the share icon, which resembles a square with an upward arrow.

Step 4: Access the "Create GIF" Option

In the share menu, swipe left until you find the "Create GIF" option. Tap on it to open the GIF creation interface.

Step 5: Customize and Save

In the GIF creation interface, you can customize your GIF by adjusting the animation speed or adding captions if desired. Once you're satisfied, tap on "Save" to save your GIF to your Photos app.

Method 2: Making a GIF from a Video

Step 1: Choose a Video

If you prefer to create a GIF from a video clip, start by selecting the video from your camera roll or any other video source on your iPhone.

Step 2: Open the Shortcuts App

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Shortcuts app. If you don't have it installed, you can download it for free from the App Store.

Step 3: Find the "Make GIF" Shortcut

Inside the Shortcuts app, tap on the "Gallery" tab at the bottom and search for the "Make GIF" shortcut. This shortcut allows you to convert a video into a GIF.

Step 4: Run the Shortcut

Tap on the "Make GIF" shortcut to run it. Follow the on-screen instructions to select the video you want to convert into a GIF and customize any settings if available.

Step 5: Save the GIF

After the shortcut has processed the video, it will prompt you to save the resulting GIF to your Photos app. Tap on "Save GIF" to store it in your collection.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps

If you're looking for more advanced features and customization options, you can explore various third-party apps available on the App Store that specialize in GIF creation. Some popular options include GIPHY, ImgPlay, and GIF Maker.

To get started with a third-party app, simply download and install it from the App Store. Follow the app's instructions to import your photos or videos and utilize its editing tools to create and save your GIFs.

Unleash Your Creativity with GIFs on iPhone

Now that you know different methods to create GIFs on your iPhone or iPad, you can unleash your creativity and add that extra sparkle to your messages and social media posts. Whether you want to animate a sequence of photos or transform a video clip, the built-in capabilities of the Photos app and the Shortcuts app, along with third-party apps, provide you with all the tools you need.