The Ultimate Guide to Creating Stunning GIFs on iPhone

Share Live Photos as GIFs

Share your looped or bounced Live Photos directly to your favorite apps or generate a seamless workflow using iOS Shortcuts to export them as captivating GIFs. If you prefer, enhance your experience by downloading a reliable third-party app like GIPHY. With it, you can effortlessly capture, convert, and embellish GIFs, ready to be shared with the world. Although looping animated GIFs gained popularity during the early stages of the internet when slow connection speeds hindered video streaming, this timeless format has endured, making it incredibly convenient to create GIFs directly on your iPhone.

Live Photos, when you press the shutter, are able to capture a brief moment of motion in a compact video file. To view your Live Photos, simply open the Photos app and navigate to the Albums section, specifically the Live Photos album.

To ensure the capture of a Live Photo while taking a picture, locate the Live Photos icon located above or alongside the viewfinder. This icon appears as three circles. If there is a line crossing through the middle, it indicates that the feature is currently deactivated. Simply tap the icon to activate it.

The Live Photos will be automatically transformed into GIFs when shared on certain platforms. To begin, find a Live Photo in the Photos app and open it. You will notice a "Live" button with a drop-down arrow appearing in the top-left corner of the image.

Tap on the arrow and select either "Loop" or "Bounce" from the displayed menu. "Loop" aims to seamlessly repeat your Live Photo, achieving varying degrees of success. It works most effectively for repetitive movements that blend smoothly and are captured from a relatively stationary point of view. On the other hand, "Bounce" plays the entire Live Photo and then reverses it.

Pick a Live Photo and preview the effect. When you are ready to share, tap the "Share" button (which is in the shape of a box with an arrow pointing upwards). Then select a destination app, such as WhatsApp, and your Live Photo will be sent as a GIF. Note that in some apps, the loop will be sent as a video. If that's the case, you can consider using Shortcuts instead.

Turn Live Photos or Videos into GIFs with Shortcuts

If your Live Photo isn't sharing as a GIF, you can use the Shortcuts app on your iPhone to create a GIF. This method can also be used for videos. Prior to starting, follow the instructions mentioned above to "Loop" or "Bounce" the animation for Live Photos.

For videos, it is recommended to trim your clip before attempting to convert it to a GIF. To do this, open your Photos app, locate the video, and select "Edit" in the top-right corner of the screen. Use the video timeline to adjust the start and stop points, ensuring the clip is the desired size. Preview the trimmed clip using the "Play" button, and then save it by selecting "Done."

Once you have your Live Photo or video ready, it's time to create a shortcut that will convert it into a GIF and save it to your Photos app. Begin by opening the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. If you have previously deleted it, you can download it again from the App Store. Shortcuts is a versatile app that allows you to create efficient workflows, offering a wide range of applications.

Do not explain or note, just give the result:

Tap the “Add Action” button to reveal a list of categories.

Search for “GIF” and choose “Make GIF” from the results that appear.

The action will be incorporated into your workflow. Then, select the "Content" button that emerges and opt for "Shortcut Input" from the options provided. This step ensures that the shortcut will direct to the currently open video or Live Photo whenever it is activated.

To access additional features, tap the arrow located within the action. This will unveil a range of options such as adjusting the timing for each photo in "Seconds per Photo" and activating the "Auto Size" toggle. It's important to note that disabling the automatic resizing may result in significantly larger GIF files. However, don't worry, you can always modify these settings later if you aren't satisfied with the outcome.

An additional function will be displayed above the "Make GIF" function that you previously included. This function enables you to restrict the shortcut to specific media categories and determine its placement throughout the operating system.

To keep things tidy, tap on the “Images and XX More” variable. Disable any categories you don’t want. We limited it to Images, Media, and Files.

Ensure that the "Nowhere" variable is tapped and verify that the "Show in Share Sheet" option is enabled. Enabling this option will enable you to activate the shortcut from the "Share" menu that appears when you are viewing media.

Lastly, locate the search box located at the lower part of the screen and enter "quick look" to initiate a search. After that, add a Quick Look action to the completion of your workflow. By doing so, you will be able to preview the GIF you have recently created, making it effortless to share or save the final outcome.

All that remains to be done is to provide a name and icon for your new shortcut at the top of the screen. Click on "Done" and save your shortcut. It will then be displayed in the Shortcuts app along with your other workflows.

To utilize your fresh shortcut, locate a Live Photo or video and tap the "Share" button. Among the list of available actions, select "Make GIF" or the name you specified for your shortcut. Wait briefly and your iPhone will convert the media into GIF format. Subsequently, you will be able to preview the converted GIF.

Use the “Share” button in the bottom-left corner to save, share, AirDrop, and more. When you hit “Done” your GIF will be discarded.

Tim Brookes

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Capture GIFs with Your Camera using GIPHY

When everything else fails, third-party applications are here to help. GIPHY for iPhone goes beyond being a mere collection of memes, as it offers a complete GIF camera and converter. This app allows you to capture GIFs using your iPhone camera, as well as convert existing videos and Live Photos. Additionally, you can enhance your creations by applying filters, stickers, and effects. The app's user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate, with most functions conveniently located under the "Create" button.

GIFs that Keep on Giving

Many people associate animated GIFs with the early days of the internet. With a significant amount of compression and just a few frames, you could display a visually appealing "under construction" image on your GeoCities page or distinguish yourself from numerous affiliate sites in a website's sidebar.

Despite its lower quality, jerky animation, and extensive use of dithering, the GIF format continues to thrive. If you share our fascination with GIFs, explore further to discover more about this beloved format on the web.