How to post a GIF on Instagram using a free GIF-making app for iPhone and Android

If a picture says a thousand words, then a great GIF can say a million. Whether you want to share a short animated clip that's funny, poignant, informative, or shocking, posting a GIF on Instagram is a great way to share memorable media.

Redeem now

  • You can post GIFs on Instagram to make an amusing, interesting, and eye-catching post.
  • You cannot simply share a GIF you've saved directly to Instagram, however — it will appear as a static image if you do so.
  • Using the free GIPHY Cam app will let you share animated GIFs on Instagram, and the posting process only takes a minute longer than a standard Instagram post.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If a picture says a thousand words, then a great GIF can say a million. 

Whether you want to share a short animated clip that's funny, poignant, informative, or shocking, posting a GIF on Instagram is a great way to share memorable media. 

But you can't simply post a GIF to Instagram from your phone's camera roll. You have to use a third-party app to convert the GIF into a file type that Instagram allows, and then upload it.

Fortunately several such apps exist, and one of the easiest to use, GIPHY Cam, also happens to be free. So, to post a GIF on Instagram, just follow these steps.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $729 at Apple)

Google Pixel 3 (From $799.99 at Best Buy)

How to post a GIF on Instagram

1. Download and set up the GIPHY Cam app on your iPhone or Android phone.

Download the GIPHY Cam app from the App Store or Google Play Store. William Antonelli/Business Insider

2. Make sure that you have the GIF you want to post saved to your Camera Roll.

3. Open the GIPHY Cam app and tap the icon of the camera roll, or the thumbnail of a picture from your camera roll to open your smartphone camera library.

4. Tap the GIF you want to post, then tap the ">" icon to convert the GIF.

5. Hit the word "Next" to convert the GIF into a video format Instagram allows.

6. Tap the Instagram logo and then proceed as you would to make a standard Instagram post.

Tap the Instagram logo to share it to Instagram. Steven John/Business Insider

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

Steven John Freelance Writer Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com. Read more Read less

Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.

Watch: It's time for iTunes to die, even though it was key to Apple's early success

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnpJqwqXvHqK5mrJ9ivbC%2F02aYZp%2BZm3qwuoyipayskZy%2Fork%3D

 Share!