Facebook's popular messaging app WhatsApp for iPhone was updated over the weekend with long-overdue support for animated GIFs.

whatsapp-gifs
WhatsApp users can now send and receive their own animated GIFs, or discover and share GIFs from built-in services such as Giphy and Tenor -- which one exactly appears to be dependant on your region.

Likewise, videos that are shorter than six seconds and Live Photos can also be sent as GIFs. To send a Live Photo as a GIF, simply 3D Touch the photo after tapping on Attach > Photo/Video Library and choose "Select as GIF."

WhatsApp is available as a free download on the App Store [Direct Link] for iPhone. The app is now at version 2.16.15.

Top Rated Comments

-Ryan- Avatar
113 months ago
Everytime this app is updated I hope Apple Watch support will be added. Sadly I doubt it will ever happen.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
knemonic Avatar
113 months ago
This happened to me as well but only on a small resolution gif, maybe it has something to do with the resolution? o_O
I think I figured it out and I don't think anyone will like it.

I read the article again more closely and the wording in the first paragraph makes it sound like you can only use your own created gifs (which is Live Photos) or the Giphy add on. I have a ton of gifs in my library and the moment I touch one to add to a chat, it gives me that error. Even if I force touch and swipe up, I only get a select photo/cancel option. When I do the same swipe up on a live photo, it gives me a send as a gif command and then can modify it. So they're basically allowing us to send our own Live Photos but none of the gifs stored in our library that we've gotten from the net.

From what I can see, this is a half a$$ implementation of gif support, which is silly to say the least.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarpalMac Avatar
113 months ago
So, a $19.3bn company has scraped together enough resources to add functionality that Telegram has had for over two years.

Bravo!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Digital Dude Avatar
113 months ago
I’ve been using WhatsApp for about 4-5 months now and I had no idea it was a Facebook derivative. It’s quite popular in Europe and my GF in Italy told me about it so I gave it a try. I’m amazed by the audio quality and it operates so much better than iMessages. Not sure how they managed to do that but I like it.

More on point, this new update completely hosed all photos taken with the iPhone by cutting them off in strange sections. Sometimes, I wonder if any of these developers actually test their product before they just post it, Apple included.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OutSpoken Avatar
113 months ago
It works flawlessly for me on an iPhone 6 - this is copying and pasting saved gifs from my library in the GIFwrapped app.

Surprising to hear Whatsapp isn't supported on Apple Watch!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chino-rican Avatar
113 months ago
power system administrator
Google got that one horribly wrong! :o
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in a Few Months With These 12 New Features

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:00 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are around three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Friday June 27, 2025 9:52 am PDT by
Apple last month announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. There was news this week about which automakers will and won't offer CarPlay Ultra, and we have provided an updated list below. CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot...
apple watch ultra 2 new black

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally Coming After Two-Year Hiatus

Tuesday June 24, 2025 3:40 am PDT by
Apple will finally deliver the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sometime this year, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve). The analyst expects both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to arrive this year (likely alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup, if previous launches are anything to go by), according to his latest product roadmap shared with...