Add a GIF keyboard through Settings, then search and send GIFs directly from your keyboard

The fastest way to add a GIF keyboard to your iPhone is through the built-in keyboard settings. Open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards. Tap Add New Keyboard, scroll down, and select GIF. Once added, you can switch to the GIF keyboard while typing any message and search for GIFs by keyword — the keyboard then inserts them into iMessage, email, or any app that accepts images.

This method works on iPhone running iOS 13 or later. The GIF keyboard is Apple's own tool and does not require downloading a separate app. It searches Giphy's library, which contains millions of GIFs organized by category and searchable by text.

Key Takeaways

  • The GIF keyboard is built into iOS and appears in your keyboard list after you add it through Settings — no app download needed.
  • Once added, you switch to the GIF keyboard the same way you switch between English and other language keyboards.
  • Search by typing any word or phrase, and the keyboard shows matching GIFs in a scrollable grid.
  • GIFs insert directly into messages, emails, and most apps that accept images, but some older apps may not display them.

Step-by-step setup in Settings

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Tap General, then scroll down and tap Keyboard. You will see a list of keyboards you already have — typically English and possibly others you have added. At the top of this list, tap Add New Keyboard.

A menu appears showing available keyboards. Scroll down past the language options until you see GIF. Tap it. The GIF keyboard now appears in your keyboard list. You can close Settings — the keyboard is ready to use.

How to use the GIF keyboard when typing

Open any app where you type — Messages, Mail, Notes, or a social media app. Tap in the text field to bring up the keyboard. Look at the bottom left of the keyboard, where you normally see the globe icon to switch languages. Tap and hold that globe icon, or tap it once if you only have two keyboards. A menu appears showing all your keyboards, including GIF.

Tap GIF to switch to it. The keyboard changes to show a search bar at the top and a grid of trending GIFs below. Type any word — "happy," "cat," "dance," "fail" — and the grid updates with matching results. Scroll through the options, tap the one you want, and it inserts into your message. You can then send the message normally.

What happens if the GIF keyboard does not appear in your list

If you do not see GIF when you tap Add New Keyboard, your iPhone may be running an older version of iOS. The GIF keyboard requires iOS 13 or later. Check your iOS version by opening Settings, tapping General, then About. Look for the number next to System Version.

If you are running iOS 12 or earlier, you cannot add the built-in GIF keyboard. Your alternative is to download a third-party GIF app from the App Store — search for "GIF keyboard" and look for apps like Giphy or Tenor that offer keyboard extensions. These work similarly but are separate apps you must download and enable in Settings.

Switching back to your regular keyboard

After you insert a GIF, the keyboard stays on the GIF view. To return to your normal keyboard, tap the globe icon again and select English or your default language. You do not need to remove the GIF keyboard — it stays in your list and you switch to it only when you want to search for GIFs.

If you decide you do not want the GIF keyboard anymore, go back to Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards. Find GIF in the list, swipe left on it, and tap Delete. It disappears from your keyboard menu.

Apps where GIFs may not work

The GIF keyboard works in iMessage, Mail, Notes, and most social media apps like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. However, some older apps or text-only platforms may not accept or display GIFs. If you try to insert a GIF and nothing happens, the app likely does not support image insertion through the keyboard.

In those cases, you can still send GIFs by taking a screenshot of the GIF from the GIF keyboard, saving it to your Photos app, and then uploading it through the app's own image picker. This is slower but works around apps that do not accept keyboard-inserted images.

Searching tips for better results

The GIF keyboard searches Giphy's database, so results depend on how you type your search. Be specific: "excited dance" returns different results than just "dance." You can also search by emotion ("happy," "sad," "angry"), action ("running," "jumping," "falling"), or object ("cat," "dog," "pizza").

If your first search does not show what you want, try a different word. The trending section at the top shows popular GIFs without searching, which is useful if you want to browse without a specific goal. Scroll through the grid to see variations of your search term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the GIF keyboard on iPad?

Yes. The GIF keyboard works on iPad running iOS 13 or later using the same setup process. Open Settings, tap General, Keyboard, Add New Keyboard, and select GIF. On iPad, you may see the keyboard switcher in a different location depending on your keyboard layout, but the process is identical.

Do I need an internet connection to use the GIF keyboard?

Yes. The GIF keyboard searches Giphy's online library in real time, so you need an active Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Without internet, the search bar appears but returns no results.

Can I add multiple GIF keyboards or customize which GIFs appear?

You can only add one GIF keyboard — it is a single built-in option. You cannot customize which GIFs appear or change the source library. If you want more control over GIF selection or a different library, download a third-party GIF app from the App Store instead.

Will the GIF keyboard work in group chats?

Yes. You can use the GIF keyboard in any iMessage conversation, including group chats. The GIF inserts the same way as in one-on-one messages and all participants will see it.

What if a GIF I want does not appear in search results?

Try a different search term or browse the trending section. Giphy's library is large but not every GIF exists for every search. If you cannot find what you want through the keyboard, you can search Giphy.com in Safari, save the GIF, and upload it manually through the app's image picker instead.