How to Make GIFs on iPhone: Simple Methods and Apps to Create Animated GIFs

GIFs have become an essential part of online communication. They allow us to express emotions, share fun moments, and create dynamic content for social media and messaging. Whether you’re sharing a funny moment, explaining a process, or creating memes, GIFs are a versatile tool. And the best part? You can make GIFs on iPhone easily! With the advancements in technology, your iPhone has all the tools you need to create GIFs. Whether you want to create animated GIFs on iPhone from photos or videos, or make a simple GIF meme, there are several built-in and third-party options to help you do it quickly. In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a GIF on iPhone using different methods, including iPhone’s built-in features, third-party apps, and more advanced tools like Wondershare DemoCreator.

Part 1: General In-Built Methods for Making GIFs on iPhone

iPhones come with several built-in features that make creating GIFs incredibly easy. These methods don't require downloading any third-party apps, and they allow you to create GIFs using content already stored on your device.

Method 1: Using Live Photos (iOS Built-in Feature)

Live Photos is one of the simplest and most fun ways to create animated GIFs on iPhone. A Live Photo captures a few seconds of motion before and after taking a picture, allowing you to create a small animation. If your iPhone runs on iOS 9 or later, you can easily convert your Live Photos into GIFs.

Step 1: Open the Photos App

Open the Photos app on your iPhone and navigate to the Live Photos album. Here, you'll find all the Live Photos that you’ve taken with your iPhone.

Step 2: Swipe Up on the Photo

Once you select the Live Photo, swipe up on the screen. You’ll see various effects options, such as Loop, Bounce, and Long Exposure.

Step 3: Select “Loop” or “Bounce”

To convert your Live Photo into a GIF, select either Loop or Bounce. The Loop effect will make the Live Photo play continuously, while Bounce will play it forward and then reverse back, creating a back-and-forth motion.

Step 4: Save or Share

Once you select the desired effect, the Live Photo will automatically be transformed into a looping animation. You can save the new GIF to your camera roll or share it directly through messaging apps or social media platforms.

Method 2: Using Shortcuts App (Apple’s Automation Tool)

Another built-in option for creating GIFs on your iPhone is the Shortcuts app, Apple’s automation tool. This app allows you to automate many tasks, including converting photos and videos into GIFs.

Step 1: Open the Shortcuts App

Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. If you don't have it, download it from the App Store.

Step 2: Search for or Create “Make GIF” Shortcut

In the Shortcuts app, tap on the Gallery tab to search for pre-made shortcuts. Search for “Make GIF” or create a custom shortcut to automate the process of converting photos or videos into a GIF.

Step 3: Select Photos or Video to Convert

Once you have the shortcut set up, open it, select the images or video from your gallery that you want to convert, and run the shortcut. It will automatically create a GIF from the selected files and save it to your camera roll or Files app.

Part 2: Create a GIF on iPhone Using Third-Party Apps

While the built-in features on iPhone are great for basic GIF creation, using third-party apps can give you much more flexibility and customization. These apps often provide additional features like text overlays, filters, and the ability to adjust frame rates. Here are some of the top apps you can use to create GIFs on your iPhone.

1. GIF Toaster - GIF Maker

GIF Toaster is a versatile app that allows you to create GIFs on iPhone from videos, photos, and even Live Photos. It offers a wide range of customization options, including speed adjustments, frame rate control, and GIF size settings.

Key Features:

• Create GIFs from photos, videos, and Live Photos.
• Allows trimming and adjusting frame rates for GIFs.
• Provides tools to resize and crop GIFs.
• Allows you to apply different effects and filters to your GIFs.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Step 1: Import Media
  

Open the GIF Toaster app, and tap the "Add" button to import photos or videos from your gallery to create your GIF.

• Step 2: Edit GIF
  

Select your media, and use the app’s built-in editing features to crop, resize, and apply any effects or filters to your GIF.

• Step 3: Export GIF
  

Once you’re satisfied with your GIF, tap "Save" to export it to your iPhone or share it directly via social media.

2. ImgPlay: GIF Maker & Meme

ImgPlay is an easy-to-use app that specializes in converting videos and photos into GIFs. In addition to GIF creation, ImgPlay lets you add text, apply filters, and control the speed of the GIF. The app also has meme templates, making it a fun option for creating GIF memes. It’s perfect for users who want both functionality and customization on the go.

Key Features:

• Convert videos or photos into GIFs.
• Add text, stickers, and other annotations to your GIFs.
• Offers adjustable speed settings for the GIF.
• Ability to apply filters and effects to GIFs.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Step 1: Select Media
  

Open ImgPlay, tap on the "+" button, and choose the video or photo you want to convert into a GIF.

• Step 2: Add Customization
  

Use the app’s tools to add text, stickers, and filters to your GIF. Adjust the speed of the GIF and make any other edits as needed.

• Step 3: Save and Share
  

After editing, tap the "Save" button to store your GIF, or share it directly to social media.

3. Loop Videos & GIF Maker

Loop Videos & GIF Maker is a straightforward app designed for creating GIFs from video clips. With just a few taps, users can choose the portion of the video they want to convert into a GIF. The app also allows you to adjust the loop duration, speed, and apply effects, making it a great tool for both quick and customized GIF creation. Its easy-to-navigate interface makes it beginner-friendly.

Key Features:

• Loop short video clips and convert them into GIFs.
• Adjust the loop speed and duration.
• Offers frame-by-frame editing for precise adjustments.
• Share GIFs directly to social media from within the app.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Step 1: Import Video
  

Launch the app and tap "Choose Video" to upload the video you want to convert into a GIF.

• Step 2: Edit the GIF
  

Trim the video, adjust the loop speed, and make any necessary adjustments to the GIF. You can also change the size and duration.

• Step 3: Export and Share
  

Once you're happy with your GIF, tap "Save" to download the GIF or share it directly to your favorite social media platforms.

4. Gif Me! Camera

Gif Me! Camera is a popular app for creating GIFs directly from your camera or video library. The app allows users to add text, apply effects, and control the speed of their GIFs. It’s ideal for users who want to create GIFs on the fly, with intuitive tools that make editing quick and fun. You can also directly share your GIFs to social media from within the app.

Key Features:

• Create GIFs using the camera or import videos.
• Add effects like filters, stickers, and text.
• Allows you to control the frame rate and GIF speed.
• User-friendly interface for both beginners and advanced users.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Step 1: Capture or Import Media
  

Open Gif Me! Camera, and either record a new video or import a video from your gallery to convert into a GIF.

• Step 2: Add Customization
  

Add text, apply filters, and adjust the GIF speed or frame rate to fit your needs.

• Step 3: Save and Share
  

Tap the "Save" button to store your edited GIF, or directly share it to social media from the app.

Part 3: Exclusive Guide: Make Professional GIFs with Wondershare DemoCreator on Desktop

While these iPhone apps are fantastic for quick edits, Wondershare DemoCreator is an excellent solution if you want to take your GIFs to the next level. This desktop software provides more powerful editing tools, allowing for greater control over your GIF’s appearance and quality. From creating GIFs from video clips to adding text, effects, and transitions, DemoCreator gives you professional-level results with ease.

Key Features:

1. Advanced Text Customization: Wondershare DemoCreator allows you to add customizable text to GIFs, offering full control over font, size, color, and position. You can also apply text animations to make the GIF more dynamic.
   
   
2. High-Quality GIF Creation: Unlike most online tools, DemoCreator lets you export high-quality GIFs with adjustable frame rates, resolution, and file sizes, ensuring crisp, professional-quality output.
   
   
3. Text, Effects, and Transitions: With DemoCreator, you can not only add text but also apply transitions and visual effects to your GIFs, giving you more creative control to enhance the visual appeal of your content.
   
   
4. GIF Creation from Videos and Images: DemoCreator supports importing both videos and images to convert them into GIFs. You can edit each frame of the GIF with detailed adjustments, making it perfect for professional use.
   
   
5. Real-Time Preview: The software provides a real-time preview of the GIF as you edit, allowing you to make adjustments on the fly and see how your changes affect the final output before exporting.

Stepwise Guide to Creating GIF Using DemoCreator:

Step1Install Wondershare DemoCreator

Download and install Wondershare DemoCreator on your desktop (available for both Windows and macOS). Once installed, open the program to start your project.

Step2Import Your Media

Click on the “Import” button to upload the video or image you want to convert into a GIF. You can also drag and drop the media directly into the program. After importing, drag the file to the timeline.

Step3Edit and Export the GIF

Use the editing tools to trim, add text, adjust frame rates, or apply effects to your GIF. Once you're satisfied with the edits, click "Export" to save your GIF in the desired format. You can customize the resolution and quality settings before exporting.

Conclusion

Creating GIFs on your iPhone is quick and fun, with various methods and apps available. Whether you're using built-in features like Live Photos or Shortcuts, or third-party apps like GIF Toaster and ImgPlay, you can easily create GIFs that suit your needs. For more professional and customized GIFs, Wondershare DemoCreator offers powerful desktop editing tools that provide complete control over your GIF’s quality and appearance. By following the methods and tips in this guide, you can start making creative, personalized GIFs to share with friends, family, or on social media.