Static images can feel a bit boring, which is why animated GIFs are a popular way to communicate with friends and family without typing a single word. You can easily attach a downloaded GIF file to a text message, but for an even simpler method, you can use the Giphy app or the Google keyboard (Gboard) to find and send GIFs as text messages on your Android device.
How to send a GIF in a text message on Android
This guide covers three different methods for finding and sharing animated GIFs with your contacts, using either your keyboard, a dedicated app, or a saved file from your phone’s gallery.
Method 1: Using the Gboard keyboard
- Install and set up Gboard on your phone. If you haven’t already, download Gboard from the Play Store.
- To set it as your default keyboard, go to Settings, tap General management, select Keyboard list and default, tap Default Keyboard, and choose Gboard.
- Open your texting app and start a new text message or select an ongoing conversation.
- Tap the text field where you would normally compose your message to bring up the Gboard keyboard.
- Tap the GIF button, which is located in the top row of the keyboard near the middle.
- Browse the category tabs or type a keyword into the search bar to find a specific GIF.
- Tap a GIF to automatically add it to your text message.
- Tap the paper airplane icon, often labeled Send, in the bottom-right corner of your app to send the message. To return to the regular keyboard, press the ABC key.
Method 2: Using the Giphy app
- Open the Giphy app from your Android phone’s app drawer.
- Browse for a GIF by tapping the categories at the top, or use the search bar to find one by name or keyword.
- Tap a GIF to see a larger version with sharing options below it.
- Tap the green text message icon, which looks like a square-shaped speech bubble.
- Select a contact from your list or start a new message. The GIF will be inserted into the message field automatically.
- Tap the paper airplane icon or Send button to send the GIF to your contact.
Method 3: Sending a saved GIF from your phone
- Open the Messages app, which usually has a blue speech bubble icon, from your app drawer.
- Tap an existing conversation or start a new one by tapping the blue circular button with a white plus sign and selecting a contact.
- Tap the image icon, which is typically the left-most icon at the bottom, to open your phone’s gallery.
- Select the GIF you want to send. It will then appear as a small preview in the message field.
- Tap the paper airplane or Send icon to send the animated GIF.
In a world of digital text, GIFs help reintroduce the emotion, humor, and personality that can get lost in translation. They provide a quick and effective way to convey a reaction, tell a joke, or express a feeling that might take many words to describe otherwise.
Using GIFs makes your conversations more dynamic, engaging, and fun. Whether it’s a reaction from a favorite TV show or a simple animated gesture, a well-chosen GIF can strengthen your connection with friends and family by adding a visual and emotional layer to your messages.
