Communicating on WhatsApp can be much more fun and visual if you use Animated gifsThese small animations have established themselves as one of the most versatile and popular resources for expressing emotions, reactions, and everyday situations. Whether to show joy, surprise, irony, or simply to make people laugh, GIFs find their place in all kinds of conversations. If you're wondering how to create, find, and use them, best animated gifs for WhatsAppHere you'll find the ultimate guide: from how to make your own custom GIFs to the best websites, apps, and image banks for downloading or sharing stunning GIFs that are always up-to-date and easy to share directly in your chats.
What is a GIF and why is it so popular on WhatsApp?
Un GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a digital image format that allows you to display looping animations (without sound), combining technical simplicity and great visual expressiveness. Unlike conventional videos, GIFs take up less space and play instantly, making them easy to integrate into messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, or Telegram.
This format is primarily used to convey quick and direct messages, emotions, memes, reactions, or iconic moments. Its popularity lies in the ability to communicate a lot in just a few seconds, making conversations more dynamic, original, and memorable. WhatsApp has a native feature for sending GIFs, but you can also download or create your own, adding that original touch to your chats.
How to create your own animated GIFs for WhatsApp
Personalizing your messages with GIFs you create increases the originality of your conversations. There are different methods and tools for creating them. Animated gifsFrom simple mobile apps to powerful AI-powered web editors, here are the most comprehensive and effective ways to create your own GIFs, tailored to any experience level.
1. Animated GIF editors from images and videos
The most accessible way to create a Custom GIF It involves converting a series of photos or videos into an animation. Many apps and websites specialize in this process:
- Mobile apps: Platforms like Photo to GIF Editor (available on Google Play and the App Store) allows you to select images from your gallery and create a GIF in seconds. From the app itself, you can add effects, stickers, text, adjust the speed or duration, and share the GIF directly to WhatsApp and other social networks.
- Online tools: There are pages like Imgflip, GIFMaker o Gickr These offer editors for creating GIFs from images, local videos, or YouTube links. They also offer templates, filters, and the ability to add text or stickers. They're usually free and don't require registration.
The process is usually very intuitive: you upload your images or video clip, edit the details, and finally download the file in GIF format, ready to share.
2. Creating GIFs with artificial intelligence
Thanks to artificial intelligence, you can go far beyond conventional GIFs. Some platforms, such as Ideogram o Pikalabs, allow you to generate images from text and then animate them creatively:
- Generate the image with AI: Enter a creative prompt or description in Ideogram to create a unique image (you can ask, for example, “astronaut cat waving”).
- Animate the image: Upload the resulting image to Pikalabs and use AI commands to apply animations (zoom, pan, blink, motion effects, etc.).
- Convert to GIF: Download the animation as a video and use tools like Convertio o EZGIF to transform the video into a GIF compatible with WhatsApp.
The advantage is that you can create Original GIFs, consistent with the message you want to communicate, and without depending on generic image banks.
3. Creative and advanced platforms for GIFs
- Canva: This popular online editor offers the option to create GIFs and animations with professional templates, graphic elements, customizable fonts, and predefined animations. You can export the result in GIF format with just a few clicks. Canva stands out for its ease of use and for offering a vast library of free and premium resources.
- GIFPAL: An online editor that doesn't require registration and allows you to create GIFs from local or webcam-captured images. It offers editing tools such as text, effects, and the ability to adjust speed and final size.
- GIPHY GIF Maker: Within the website of GIPHY You can create GIFs from images, local videos, or YouTube/Vimeo links. It's ideal for those looking for a quick and highly visual process, plus the ability to save your creations to a personal account to later share them on WhatsApp.
4. Convert YouTube videos and clips into GIFs
If you want to create an animated GIF from a viral video or a specific moment in a movie, there are websites that automate the process:
- GIPHY GIF Maker: It allows you to enter a YouTube or Vimeo link and select the exact seconds you want to convert into a GIF. You can then add text, effects, or stickers.
- EZGIF: One of the most comprehensive online editors, where you can crop, resize, and optimize GIFs before downloading them.
5. Things to keep in mind when creating GIFs for WhatsApp
- El maximum recommended size is around 5MB to ensure fast loading.
- Keep the short duration (less than 10 seconds) so that the GIF is dynamic and does not lose impact.
- Avoid adding unnecessary watermarks or logos if you're looking for a clean, professional GIF.
- Make sure the format is .GIF so that WhatsApp recognizes it and doesn't send it as a video.
Where to find the best animated GIFs for WhatsApp
The key to never running out of original ideas in your conversations is in go to GIF banks that are constantly updated and they offer a huge variety of topics: from viral series and memes to traditional reactions and celebrations. Here's a comprehensive list of the best websites and apps, their benefits, and tips for getting the most out of them.
1. Giphy: The largest bank of animated GIFs
Considered the world reference in Animated gifs, Giphy It offers a vast catalog, updated daily, with GIFs categorized by emotions, trends, TV and movie characters, memes, and even animated stickers. It has a website and mobile app (Android, iOS).
- Advanced search: Search by keyword (“joy,” “cats,” “monday,” “LOL,” etc.) or browse by categories and tags.
- Tools to create your own GIFs: Giphy integrates an intuitive editor to transform images, videos, or YouTube links into personalized GIFs.
- Free account: Save your favorite GIFs or create collections to always have them handy on WhatsApp.
- Full compatibility: You can share GIFs directly from Giphy on WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Facebook, or download the file.
2. Tenor: GIFs for any occasion
Tenor is another great alternative that offers GIFs organized by thematic categories and emotions: reactions, love, celebrations, animals, memes, celebrities, etc. In addition, Tenor is the base used by many keyboards and messaging apps (including WhatsApp) to search for GIFs directly from your phone.
- Smart search engine: Quickly find GIFs by keyword, mood, or situation.
- Animated stickers: Access animated sticker packs for WhatsApp.
- Application and keyboard: Tenor has its own app and GIF keyboard for Android and iOS, allowing you to send GIFs in any chat or social network.
- Uploading custom GIFs: You can create, upload, and name your GIFs to share directly from the WhatsApp keyboard.
3. Imgur: The community of GIFs, memes and creativity
More than an image bank, Imgur It's a community where users share the most original and viral GIFs and memes of the moment. It's ideal for discovering Unconventional GIFs, clips from series and movies, or comedic content that you won't find on other portals.
- Advanced search: Filter by popularity, current trends, categories, or tags.
- User-generated content: Find unique GIFs, categorized by common feelings or trending topics.
- Direct download: You can save any GIF and share it on WhatsApp in seconds.
4. GIFBin: Refresh your collection with diverse GIFs
If you're looking for constant novelty and thematic varietyGIFBin is your website. It works as a "container" where any user can contribute their own creations, so you can find everything from From very popular GIFs to rarely seen designs.
- Categories and tags: You can search by topic, sentiment, or browse the most recent, most rated, and most viewed posts.
- Random function: Discover GIFs indefinitely to refresh your repertoire.
- Original animations: Many GIFs are created by users, so it's common to find exclusive content.
5. Gfycat: High-quality GIFs optimized for mobile
Gfycat It stands out for its excellent visual quality and for offering GIFs converted to HTML5 videos, which allows smoother and lighter animations. It's excellent for those looking for speed and good viewing without sacrificing quality.
- Popular sections: Explore the gaming, trends, celebrity, reactions, and stickers sections.
- Creation Tool: Allows you to create GIFs by uploading images or videos and customize animations.
- Flexibility: Play GIFs in reverse, slow motion, or at different speeds.
6. GIFs.com: Quick and easy creation and download
A simple website where you can create GIFs from links, images, or videos in just a few steps, with options to add effects, cropping, and text. Export directly to WhatsApp, Instagram, or any social network.
7. Reaction GIFs: Find your emotion in a GIF
A website specialized in GIFs for feelings, reactions, and moodsIdeal if you want to respond to a specific situation with an animation perfectly tailored to what you want to express.
- Intuitive search engine: Choose your mood (“wonder,” “angry,” “love,” “WTF”) and find iconic GIFs to reply to in your chats.
- Theme tags: Browse galleries and themes to find the perfect GIF.
8. Alternative websites to expand your GIF collection
- Gifss.com: More than 21.000 GIFs classified by categories (animals, sports, food, Disney, technology, etc.) with the option to download and share on WhatsAppAlthough its design is retro, its database is gigantic.
- GifCities: An Internet Archive project specializing in the preservation of historical GIFs. Perfect for finding old and unusual GIFs that add a nostalgic touch to your chats.
- 9GAG: Popular meme and humor platform, highly focused on young audiences. Search by GIF or hashtag and download viral animations, memes, and all kinds of fun content for WhatsApp.
- Pinterest: In addition to visual inspirations, it has collections of animated GIFs shared by other users. You can explore themed boards and save moving images.
- Imgflip: Powerful online tool for creating, editing, and sharing custom memes and GIFs. It offers highly advanced templates and visual editors.
- USAGIF.com: A catalog of unique GIFs, easily downloadable and ready to share on WhatsApp. Ideal for finding unusual or themed GIFs.
- pixabay: In addition to royalty-free photos, offers a specific search engine for animated GIFs, all copyright-free and ready to use on WhatsApp.
- Tumblr: Although it's more of a microblogging network, it hosts thousands of original and creative GIFs on various blogs and thematic communities.
9. Apps to keep animated GIFs always at hand on WhatsApp
Most GIF banks have a mobile app to streamline searching and uploading. Among the most recommended apps:
- Giphy App: Allows you to save, share, and create GIFs with just a few taps.
- Tenor Keyboard: An alternative keyboard that integrates GIFs and stickers directly into any chat.
- GIF for WhatsApp: Collection of GIFs for all categories (love, humor, birthday, good morning, celebrations, etc.) and the option to save favorites.
- GIFs: An app that brings together millions of GIFs, animated stickers, and emojis, categorized by trend and emotion. It offers downloads in two different resolutions (normal and low).
These applications offer advantages such as Thematic collections, daily updates, social media integration, options to add GIFs as favorites, and extra utilities as animated wallpapers or stickers for WhatsApp and other apps.
How to search and download animated GIFs from Google Images and other tricks
In addition to using specialized banks, you can search for GIFs directly in Google Images following these simple steps:
- Go to Google and select the “Images” tab.
- Enter the keyword related to the GIF you are looking for (“funny cat”, “clapping”, etc.).
- Click on “Tools” and then in the “Type” filter choose “GIF”.
- Download the GIF you want by right-clicking and selecting “Save Image As.”
This method is quick and works on both mobile and desktop browsers. Remember to check that the resource is in .gif format and that the file has the desired quality before sending it.
How to send, save, and use animated GIFs on WhatsApp like a pro
WhatsApp offers multiple ways to use GIFs in your chats, both within the app and from external resources:
1. Send GIFs from the internal keyboard
- Open any chat and tap the emoji icon.
- Select the “GIF” tab. Hundreds of suggested options and a search engine will appear.
- Use keywords to find the GIF you want or browse categories and trends.
- Click on the GIF to send it directly.
2. Share GIFs you downloaded or created
- Download the GIF file from your favorite website or app (Giphy, Tenor, Imgur, etc.).
- Open WhatsApp, tap the “attach” icon, and select “Gallery.”
- Select the GIF and share it in the chat. The file will automatically loop.
3. Convert videos to GIFs from WhatsApp
- In the attach video window, select a video (preferably short) from your gallery.
- Cut out the fragment you are interested in (maximum 6 seconds) and click the “GIF” icon before sending.
- The video will be sent in GIF format, without sound and looping.
4. Save received GIFs
When you receive a GIF on WhatsApp, you can save it by long-pressing the file and selecting "Save to Gallery" or "Add to Favorites," depending on your device. This way, you'll always have your most-used GIFs at hand to quickly send them whenever you need them.
5. Extra tips to take advantage of GIFs on WhatsApp
- Update your apps to access the latest features, GIF packs, and stickers.
- Organize your favorite GIFs in folders or use apps that allow you to collect them by categories.
- Make your GIFs unique adding text, emojis, or editing their duration before sending them.
- Make sure to use respectful GIFs and appropriate for each context; avoid sending animations that are too heavy so that they always display quickly.
Frequently asked questions about animated GIFs on WhatsApp
- Can animated GIFs be used on WhatsApp Web? Yes, you can search, send, and download GIFs from the web version just like you can on the mobile app.
- Can I share my own GIFs on WhatsApp? Of course, both those you create with apps, online editors, or artificial intelligence, and those you download from GIF banks.
- Do I need to install additional apps to send GIFs? It's not mandatory, but apps like Giphy, Tenor, or GIF keyboards make it easier to discover and send more varied GIFs than WhatsApp's native feature.
- What do I do if a GIF won't play on WhatsApp? Make sure the file is in .gif format, that it doesn't exceed the maximum recommended size, and that your app is up to date. In some cases, it may have been downloaded as a video and need to be converted.
Safety and privacy recommendations when downloading GIFs
Always download your animated GIFs from websites and apps reliable and recognizedAvoid little-known platforms or those with excessive intrusive advertising, as they may host harmful files or contain malware. If you choose to use GIFs from royalty-free image banks such as Pixabay, you will have the guarantee of safe, quality content without copyright risks.
Limit the personal information you include in your custom GIFs and review the permissions granted by some editing apps before sharing private or sensitive content.
Dominate the world of Animated gifs GIFs will allow you to express yourself visually and creatively on WhatsApp and other apps. You have countless options for creating, downloading, and sharing original GIFs, both from mobile apps and specialized GIF banks with daily updates. Don't hesitate to explore the recommended platforms to continually update your repertoire, surprise your contacts, and make conversations much more fun, fresh, and personal.