Animated GIFs have become a staple of the internet. Invented in 1987, the looping, soundless video clips can be found everywhere online, from social media networks to messaging platforms. They're often used to express emotions, communicate ideas, or just make people laugh.
Because they are so short, GIF files are quick to load and they play automatically, so they communicate what you want instantaneously and without effort on the viewer's part. What's more, thanks to Apple's Shortcuts app, you can turn video clips into GIFs quickly and easily on your iPhone and iPad without even having to download anything.
The following steps show you how it's done.
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Using the Gallery tab, search for "Video to GIF," tap the shortcut in the results, then tap Add Shortcut.
- Run the shortcut by tapping its card in the My Shortcuts tab.
- You'll be presented with a list of videos from your photo library that you can turn into GIFs. Choose the clip that you want to convert.
- If the video is too long, you'll be prompted to trim it down by dragging the chevrons on either end of the clip. After that, tap Save.
- Tap the Share button below the preview to Save Image or choose a sharing method. Once you're finished, tap Done.
If you want more control when making your own GIFs, consider using a dedicated GIF creation tool such as GIPHY. The app is free to download and includes additional options including stickers and effects to apply to your creations.
23 comments
Top Rated Comments
hagar
2 weeks ago
Weird you need to use the Shortcuts and install or create a shortcut for this. This could be much more simple.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2 weeks ago
Weird you need to use the Shortcuts and install or create a shortcut for this. This could be much more simple.
While Shortcuts is a great idea for letting you customize these kinds of actions, the most popular and useful ones should all be integrated into iOS by default years ago (with the option to easily un-toggle them in Settings).
Most smartphone users understand things like gifs and want to turn videos or photos into gifs and share them.
But they don't understand what Shortcuts are and how you add and use them, or why making a gif isn't just another option when tapping "Share".
Having to open an app, Shortcuts, and go through this process of looking up shortcuts and adding them is unintuitive and should be reserved for more complex actions.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
makeitrainnaren
2 weeks ago
I wonder if any deleted photos from years ago can be turned into gifs!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Velin
2 weeks ago
But they don't understand what Shortcuts are
Shortcuts needs a revamp. So frustrating when you sequence actions that should work, but it falls apart due to unexpected ordering of events. Also, the interface just sucks.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oneMadRssn
2 weeks ago
It's pronounced gif, not gif.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Flamingdeathbolts
2 weeks ago
This is when I feel like I am getting old since I could care less to learn shortcuts to create a gif. Should be standard option as taking a video or photo
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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