How to Save and Play GIFs on An iPhone

Ollie Mattison

Jun 27, 2025• Proven solutions

Humor is one of the most important segments of our lives, which is the reason why GIFs have become so popular in the last couple of years. GIFs offer an endless source of fun, and it is only reasonable that some iPhone owners want to create GIF collections on their phones.

In this tutorial, we will show you how you can save GIFs from any other social media platform like Tumblr, Twitter, and share them with your friends via messages or emails directly from your iPhone.

01. How to Download and Save GIFs on an iPhone

02. A GIF Editing Tool That Does More Than Just Loop

You May Also like: Best 10 GIF Apps for iPhone >>

How to Download and Save GIFs on an iPhone

Regardless of which version iOS you have on your iPhone, saving GIFs on your device isn't complicated at all, but some older versions of iOS require third-party apps in order to be able to play GIFs.

Section 1: iOS 11 Users:
Section 2: iOS 10 or Earlier:

Section 1: iOS 11 Users

After waiting for so long iPhone owners can finally enjoy the benefits of the GIFs feature in the Photos app. These simple steps will show you how to save any GIF you like in just a few taps.

Step 1: Once you've found a GIF you'd like to store on your phone, tap on the image and hold until the menu appears on the screen, and then pick the Save GIF option, to save it on your Camera Roll.

Step 2: Now that the GIF is saved on your iPhone, you can always access it from the Photos app.

Your GIF collection is located in the Animated folder, and if at any point you would like to take a look at a GIF you saved, you can just open the Animated folder. Simply tap on any GIF to display it in full-screen mode, but if the GIF isn't stored locally on your iPhone you'll need to wait for a few seconds until it's downloaded from the iCloud Photo Library.

Section 2: iOS 10 or Earlier

Saving a GIF on iOS 10 or earlier is almost identical to the process on iOS 11. Once you find a GIF you want to save, tap and hold the image (or use 3D Touch if your iPhone supports it), then select the “Save” option when the menu appears.

The saved GIF will appear in your Photos app, but keep in mind—it may display as a still image. The animation typically plays only when you share it via Messages or Email.

To properly view and manage GIFs on older iOS versions, you’ll need a third-party app. Tools like GifWrapped or GifPlayer Free let you not only view GIFs but also create a personal GIF library on your iPhone, even if you're using iOS 10 or earlier.

A GIF Editing Tool That Does More Than Just Loop

While iOS 11 allows you to view GIFs natively, editing or creating GIFs directly on an iPhone still requires third-party tools. That’s where Wondershare Filmora comes in — a powerful video editing software for both Mac and Windows users.

With Filmora, you can not only create custom GIFs from videos or images, but also:

Add captions or text inside or outside your GIF
Adjust speed, trim length, or add smooth filters
Export directly to your iPhone, including iPhone X and newer models

If you prefer to work online, Filmora meme maker is your go-to tool. It lets you create image, video, or GIF memes without watermarks or sign-ups. You can:

Customize text size, color, and position
Place captions inside or outside the GIF
Complete your meme in just a few clicks

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Filmora secure download Secure Download

Try It Free

For macOS 10.14 or later

Filmora secure download Secure Download

And if you’re looking to turn your creative spark into a polished video, Filmora’s latest feature — AI Idea to Video — helps you go from concept to content effortlessly. Just type in your idea, and Filmora’s AI will generate a complete video draft, which you can further refine with your own GIFs, effects, or personal touches.

👉 Whether you're editing GIFs or bringing video ideas to life, Filmora has the tools to help you do it faster, easier, and with more creativity.