How to make a GIF on Instagram. How to make gifs in Instagram history and profile, why they are not there

GIF is an animated image format. At the dawn of the development of computer technology, it was files in the format GIF replaced the now familiar videos. Today format GIF popular again, and this happened due to the rapid development of social networks. For example, in Facebookfor example, you can not only post or send GIF-file to your friend, but even choose a suitable video sequence from the whole Internet library built into the social network interface.

In case of Instagram things are a little different. You, as the account owner, can post a photo or video on this social network. However, publish the file in the format GIF you just won't be able to - no, of course you can choose GIF-file in the gallery, but in your feed in Instagram it will only appear as a static image. What to do? There is an exit! We offer you several scenarios that will allow you to solve this problem. Anyway, you need to convert GIF-file into a video format understood by a mobile device (formats MOV, MP4).

Scenario 1. When you know exactly which "GIF" you need.

If you have ever seen some cool video in the format GIF, and remember its content, then you can search for it by keywords. The Giphy service is one of the most powerful libraries GIF-files on the Internet, here you can find almost any memes and funny pictures. The service allows you to automatically convert the one you need GIF-file in video sequence MP4... For this:

    Use the search bar to find the one you need GIF-file by entering the keywords you need in the search field. For example, funny dog.

    Check your mail - you will receive a letter from the service, in the attachment to which there will be a file with a video in the format MP4.

    Place the received attachment in the gallery of pictures of your smartphone or tablet, and from there publish the video using the standard Instagram application.

Scenario 2. Your smartphone has GIF-file that is not on Giphy.com.

Suppose you own some footage in the format GIFthat is physically on your mobile device and you would like to publish it to Instagram... The easiest way is to install a special application that will perform the conversion. In app stores Apple AppStore and Google PlayMarket there are quite a few such applications, and they all perform the same function - they transform GIF-file to format MP4... Depending on the complexity of the application, you may be offered some additional settings, such as speeding up or slowing down the video sequence, starting in a forward or reverse sequence, the length of the video, and much more. For example, the application has quite good functionality GIF Maker for Instagram (iOS). It is not difficult to use such applications: you just need to download GIF-file from the image gallery, specify the transformation parameters and click the "Save and publish to Instagram».

Scenario 3. You want to shoot a short video and make it funny GIF.

For this purpose, completely different applications are needed, and strictly speaking, the resulting result will not be quite so GIF-file in the usual sense. For example, there is a branded application Boomerang (iOS, Android), which allows you to record funny videos: you only need to use it to shoot your video, and then, literally in a couple of clicks, give it various properties: loop and play sequentially in one direction and the other. The saved result can be posted directly to Instagram right from this application.

Scenario 4. I want to make it cool!

For this purpose, you need a computer and video editing software. For example, Adobe Premiere , Pinnacle studio , Sony Vegas Pro or any other similar program. Load the source file into it, for example, the one you have GIF-file or footage. Select the desired parameters in the sequence settings on the timeline: an aspect ratio of 1: 1, the highest possible resolution, and the length of the footage you need. Note that long videos in Instagram hardly anyone will watch it to the end, and 10-15 seconds will be enough for a funny video. Move the footage you need to the timeline, add the appropriate music to the audio track and export to a video file. I draw your attention to the fact that from such programs it is best to export to the most compatible video formats. So for smartphones Apple you must use the format MOV, encoding which will be possible after installing additional video codecs included in the set

How to upload a gif to Instagram?

GIF animation has taken its place on the web. Often, one GIF can replace a long comment or answer a question. Thanks to them, people more accurately express their emotions, as well as create cool dialogues in chats. And best of all, GIFs can liven up your photo by adding cool effects such as moving clouds, a flowing river, falling petals, and so on. But, unfortunately, Instagram does not allow uploading GIF files with animation. If you try to do this, you will get a single picture, consisting of the first frame of this animation. However, there is a workaround for this flaw, which I will show below and answer the question - “ how to upload a gif to instagram?”.

GIF animation is a small clip with alternating frames. In fact, this is the same video, packed in a special format. Accordingly, you can simply create a video from a GIF and use it for posting. Videos in user feeds are played automatically and cyclically (shown again at the end), which is a definite plus if you decide to make a video gif.

Fortunately, there is a simple and free service with which you can easily turn any GIF into a video in a few clicks. The service is called Convertio. You can use it both from a PC and from a mobile device. Just upload your gif into it (or insert a link to it), select the format if it is not selected, and click the "Convert" button. The service converts your GIF animation into a video and saves it to your device.


Please note that Instagram allows you to upload videos from 3 to 60 seconds long. If your GIF is less than three seconds long, you can create 2 or more video files and then stitch them together to get a video longer than 3 seconds. You can read about how to do this quickly and conveniently in the post - “How to merge several videos into one? ”.

That's all. If you still have questions on how to upload a gif to Instagram, write in the comments and I will answer them.

If you try to publish a GIF file without preliminary preparation, the output will be only a static image. But there is a solution: to save the animation, you first need to convert this file format into a video.

Method 1: GIF Maker for Instagram

Today, popular app stores for iOS and Android operating systems offer tons of solutions for conveniently converting GIF to video. One of them is GIF Maker for Instagram, which is implemented for iOS. Below we will consider the further course of action using the example of this program.


Although GIF Maker for Instagram for Android is not available, there are many other great alternatives for this operating system, for example, GIF2VIDEO.

Method 2: Giphy.com

The popular online service Giphy.com is perhaps the largest library of GIF images. Moreover, the animated images found on this site can be downloaded in MP4 format.


Method 3: Convertio.co

Let's say you already have a GIF on your computer. In this case, you can convert GIF to video format, for example, to MP4, in no time using the online service Convertio.co.


The list of solutions for converting GIF to video for posting on Instagram can go on for a very long time - this article contains only the main ones. If you are familiar with other convenient solutions for this purpose, tell us about them in the comments.

The new policy of the Instagram administration in relation to gifs (gif) files has seriously changed due to the scandal. More recently, users have called "GIFs" one of the best Instagram innovations in the last few months. However, a lot has changed after another "politically correct" incident in the United States. Details in our new material on the site

On March 9, 2018, the function of posting gif animations in social applications Instagram and Snapchat was disabled. The reason for this was the scandalous racist animation, which caused a flurry of indignation among users. The post was leaked on social media and had serious consequences. Instagram representatives immediately responded to the precedent that happened.

They decided to suspend the integration of the Giphy website (it was there that the provocative file was first seen).

Users of the social network to this day ask questions like "why don't I have GIFs on Instagram?", "How to add a GIF to a story?" or "what if gif doesn't work?" Instagrammers are making various attempts to figure out how to upload a gif to a personal page. Some insta users are shocked by these changes. They hope that soon everything will return to normal.

The sensational GIF animation has been removed from the site, but its screenshot (the censored version) has already scattered across the Internet. In particular, she can be seen in the @the_fact_you_dont_know Instagram account.

The publication looks like this:

  • The approximate meaning of the image is: "Counter of deaths due to crimes [of black people]."

We suggest that you read the comment of a representative of the social network Instagram regarding this situation:

“There is no place for this kind of content on Instagram. We will only resume Giphy integration after the investigation is complete. "

Previously, the function of adding GIFs to Instagram and Snapchat was very popular among users. It appeared relatively recently, but this did not prevent users from quickly getting used to the opportunity to diversify their personal content on the page. In other words, this innovation was received with a bang. As soon as it became known about the temporary freeze of the function, massive indignation from users of two social applications began. Interest in this topic is fueled day after day. Perhaps, only the laziest installers did not consider it necessary to express their opinion about the decision of the site administration.

Consider how to insert GIF animations on Instagram.

What if GIFs disappeared when adding a story?

  1. It often happens that the user cannot find the function to add a gif to the story. But this does not mean that she does not exist. Decide on the file to be placed in the story, click "next" and scroll the slider below. At this point you will find the item "GIF". This is exactly what you are looking for. Now you know how to post GIFs on Instagram.
  2. You might need to install a new update on your device. You have to wait for it. There is no other way out of the situation.
  3. Your device is out of date and does not support updates from the popular social network.

Most often, iPhone users complain about the lack of gifs. In this case, it will be advisable to switch to the Android operating system.

Uploading the GIF image on Instagram will not work when it comes to the Ribbon. For Stories, stickers have been invented that can be placed on a picture. At the same time, the publication of the whole GiF-picture is not available.

What is GIF on Instagram

GIF is an image format where frames follow each other. It appeared earlier than video recordings and was the best way to send a short video to a friend. On Instagram, this function is not available and the only thing that a user can do is upload a video file.

You can upload animation to Instagram GIF only after conversion.

Ways to add a gif to Instagram from your phone:

  • use the Boomerang app;
  • convert from an existing file;
  • add split frames like a carousel (maximum ten pictures).

The disadvantage of converting is loss of quality. If initially the picture was in low resolution, then when creating a video from it, pixels and defects will appear. Recommended size - over 1080 x 1080 pixels and 2.1 MBif there are more than ten pictures or GIF is longer than ten seconds.

How to make a GIF on Instagram

You can change the format from your phone or computer. For editing, you may need applications: GIF to Video, GifLab or the Giphy service (also built into Stories). The latter is convenient on a PC, from a browser.

To insert a GIF on Instagram:

Users are offered requests in Russian and English. You can search for GIF on Instagram using standard phrases that are suitable for photography: joy, sadness, love, and others.

Another way to make GIFs on Instagram is to visit the Giphy website. Available to download a file in mp4 format (required for a social network) and publish to History.


The maximum video length is three seconds. The animation is set to repeat automatically. You can save GIF from Instagram through the Story settings by clicking on the "Save" button.

To transfer files to your mobile device:

  1. Create animation and post to Stories.
  2. Go to " History archive"- click on a new video.
  3. Three dots below - Save.

The method is useful for those users who create animations through Boomerang in Stories. In order not to lose the image or video in the future, you can archive it.

Why GIF doesn't work on Instagram

If the GIF is not displayed when the image is placed in the History, then:

  • the application has not been updated;
  • technical failure on the side of the social network;
  • mobile device does not support new versions of Instagram.

GIFs were blocked for some time and were missing from the owners of both iPhone and Android. After the October 2018 update, the feature has been added to the social network again.

To install a new version of the application, you need to go to the AppStore or PlayMarket content store. Enter the name in the search bar and click the button " Refresh". If it is missing, then the smartphone no longer supports new versions.

You can upload GIF to Instagram only through a video file. Animation is not supported when publishing to the Ribbon due to poor quality and delays in frame playback.

Depending on the speed of the Internet and the power of the device, GIF may be too fast or slow on different phones. For this reason, animation is not available on many social networks and is only available in Document posting without automatic playback.