If you’d like to send a GIF in your Facebook Messenger but don’t know how, don’t worry. I’ve got your back.
A few years back sending a GIF in FB Messenger was not easy. However, since they updated and added the GIF functionality, sending GIFs on Messenger is super easy.
This guide will show you everything you need to know about how to send a GIF in Messenger like a pro!
First I’ll get straight into how to send GIFs on messenger – that’s why you’re here. Then I’ll try to impress you with some extra information. So read to the end!
It might be a good idea to learn what the different symbols and icons mean on Messenger before you start – see my guide.
Let’s get into it right away. If you prefer, you can skip down to the video version.
Steps to Send Gifs with Facebook Messenger
On Facebook Messenger Desktop
- First, log in to Facebook via the web browser
- Click on the “Messages” icon on the navigation bar or open the chat window
- Select the individual or group chat
- On the menu bar at the bottom, click on the “GIF” icon
- You can either browse through all the GIFs or search for a specific GIF you need using the keyword
- When you click the GIF you want, it will be sent immediately to the person or group
Now it doesn’t get much easier than that!
Next up how to do it on your smartphone.
On Messenger Mobile App – Android and iPhone
- On your Android or iPhone, open the Facebook Messenger app
- Select the individual or group chat
- On the menu bar at the bottom, click the “+” icon and choose the “GIF” tab or in the text field, click on the smiley icon and choose the “GIF” tab
- You can either browse through all the GIFs or search for a specific GIF you need using the keyword
- When you click the GIF you want, it will be sent immediately to the person or group
Things to Remember
The 2 important things to know about sending GIFs on Facebook Messenger are that once you click on the GIF, you will not get any message confirming whether to send it or not, the GIF will be sent immediately.
So, you must be sure that you want to send the GIF. Also, once you send the GIF or any message, it cannot be canceled or retrieved. If you are having problems sending Gifs on Messenger see my guide – why can’t I send Gifs on Facebook Messenger – you’ll soon get them working again. It will show you how to fix Facebook Messenger Gifs.
Looking for some other Facebook Messenger app tips and tricks? I have a whole series of articles you might be interested in :
- Did you know you can use Messenger without a Facebook account?
- Learn how to read someone else’s FB messages
- You can find out when someones was last on Facebook
- Learn how to delete a FB conversation
Have a good look around in the Tech Articles section for lots more!
What is a GIF?
A GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) is a file extension for a bitmap image format. It was introduced by the company Compuserve in 1987, has long been used on Internet, and became one of the most popular formats for images.
A GIF is used mainly today on Internet sites as a format for animation or short videos that can easily be shared online. GIFs are supported by all major browsers and have been since the early days of the web. They work in almost any web browser, whether it be Safari on an iPhone or Firefox on a PC.
GIFs on Facebook
Today, Facebook is one of the main social media platforms where the GIFs are used. Users can share GIF files directly on Facebook by uploading files or by using an URL link to a file on another site or server.
A few years ago, they added some Facebook Messenger features including GIF support for comments. You simply tap on any GIF to see it in action. If somebody posts something cool, you can also re-post your own comment with a reaction emoji and direct link to the animated picture.
The GIFs are also supported by the Facebook Messenger platform and Instagram. That’s why you can post them in comments on statuses or images. On the Messenger app, the feature is available only via chat bots for now. It works both with links to external files or GIFs sent in the text.
GIF Resources – How to Get Gifs on Messenger
There are loads of websites which allow you to upload GIFs and share them with your friends via links or embedded into chat messages. You can easily create your own – see below.
With today’s social media, there is no shortage of sources to find new animated GIF images. Some websites even allow you to create your own short videos by cutting them into several parts and then editing them together. You can share your best creations on Facebook or other social networks after that. Creating your own unique messaging style has never been easier!
If you search online for the GIFs, you will find many websites which provide thousands of images of different categories and styles for any taste. You can use them on Facebook to show how excited are you about something or just post something really cool on your wall. We all like to look cool!
Some of the most popular GIF search engines include: Giphy, Tumblr, and Gifs.com. You can use any of them to find something you like and share on Facebook. Giphy is probably the most popular right now.
That’s All
Now you know how to send GIFs on Messenger like a pro. I hope you’ve also learned a bit more about the GIF format and what else you can do with them. Don’t forget to check out some of my other posts on tips to get the most out of Facebook.
So why wait? Get started right away and have some fun.
