WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps for iPhone users. It allows you to send messages, photos, videos, documents and more to individuals or groups. One fun way to express yourself on WhatsApp is through GIFs – short, looping video clips that add some animation to your conversations. But if you just upgraded to an iPhone 13, you may have noticed that GIFs are no longer showing up in your WhatsApp chats. So what happened to the GIFs? Keep reading to find out where they went and how to get them back on your iPhone 13 WhatsApp.
Where Did the GIF Button Go?
Previous versions of WhatsApp on iPhone had a dedicated GIF button in the chat toolbar, right next to the camera icon. Tapping this button would open up the GIF picker, allowing you to search through endless galleries of animations. But with the latest WhatsApp update optimized for iOS 15 and iPhone 13, this GIF button is no longer there.
The GIF feature itself has not been removed from WhatsApp for iPhone 13. The app simply no longer has a visible button for accessing it. So don’t worry – you can still find and share GIFs, but you’ll have to locate them through a different route.
How to Find GIFs on iPhone 13 WhatsApp
While there’s no longer a GIF button, you can still access the GIF picker by using the emoji button. Here are the steps:
1. Open a WhatsApp chat where you want to share a GIF.
2. Tap on the emoji icon in the bottom left corner of the chat toolbar.
3. This will open up your emoji keyboard. Tap on the 3 dots “…” icon in the bottom right corner.
4. In the menu that pops up, tap on “GIFs”.
5. This will open the GIF picker where you can browse and search for GIFs to share.
6. Once you find the perfect GIF, simply tap on it to send it in your chat.
So the GIF feature still exists in WhatsApp for iPhone 13, it’s just accessed through the emoji menu now rather than having its own dedicated button. A bit less convenient, but at least the capability is still there.
Why Was the GIF Button Removed?
WhatsApp has not provided any official reason for why the GIF button was removed from the iPhone 13 version of the app. However, tech analysts have speculated on a few possible explanations:
– Streamlining the interface – The WhatsApp team may have decided the dedicated GIF button was no longer needed since GIFs can still be accessed through the emoji menu. Less clutter could allow for a cleaner, more user-friendly design.
– Consistency across platforms – WhatsApp may have wanted to standardize the chat toolbar across iOS and Android for a more consistent user experience. The Android version does not have a separate GIF button.
– Promoting emoji use – With emoji being a core part of messaging, WhatsApp may want to nudge users towards emoji by making them more prominent and hiding GIFs in the emoji menu.
– Technical limitations – There may be under-the-hood technical reasons why the GIF button couldn’t remain on iPhone 13 devices. For example, changes to the iOS 15 keyboard API.
Ultimately, only WhatsApp knows the real rationale. But the GIF feature is still present, just accessed differently now.
Will the GIF Button Ever Come Back?
At the time of writing, there’s no indication that WhatsApp plans to re-add the GIF button to the iPhone 13 or iOS 15 version of the app. The change seems intentional rather than accidental.
However, user response may influence WhatsApp’s decision. If enough iPhone 13 users complain about the missing GIF button and find the new workflow too cumbersome, WhatsApp may issue an update to restore it.
There’s precedent for WhatsApp reversing design changes based on user feedback. For example, after removing the ability to star messages in 2017, widespread criticism led WhatsApp to reinstate the feature in 2018.
So if you really want the GIF button back on your iPhone 13 WhatsApp, make sure to provide feedback directly to WhatsApp. If the user base is vocal enough, the company may just listen and provide an option to enable the button again.
Workarounds for Easier GIF Access
Until WhatsApp potentially reintroduces the GIF button, here are some tips to make finding GIFs a bit easier in the iPhone 13 app:
– Favorite GIFs – Tap the heart icon on any GIF you want quick access to later. Your Favorites will be at the top of the GIF picker for one-tap sending.
– Search bar – Use the search box at the top of the GIF picker to look for specific GIFs related to keywords.
– Third-party keyboards – Download a dedicated GIF keyboard from the App Store for easier GIF browsing right from your keyboard.
– Faster emoji access – You can swipe right from the right edge of your iPhone screen to quickly open the emoji/GIF menu.
– GIF websites – Find GIFs on sites like Giphy.com, then copy and paste them into WhatsApp chats. No picker required.
So while the extra tap to get to GIFs may be an adjustment, you still have options to liven up your iPhone 13 WhatsApp chats through the power of GIF animation.
The Bottom Line
The GIF button may have mysteriously disappeared from the latest version of WhatsApp for iOS 15 and iPhone 13, but this doesn’t mean GIFs are gone entirely. You can still access the GIF picker through the emoji menu.
While less convenient, this change allows for a streamlined interface and consistency across platforms. WhatsApp may one day reintroduce a GIF button option based on user feedback. Until then, take advantage of workarounds like favorites, search, and third-party keyboards for an enhanced GIF experience on your iPhone 13 WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find any GIFs in my WhatsApp on iPhone 13?
The GIF button is no longer visible, but you can still access GIFs through the emoji menu. Tap the emoji icon, then the 3 dots, and select “GIFs” to open the GIF picker. The GIF feature has not been removed, just accessed differently.
Is there a way to get the GIF button back on iPhone 13?
Currently, no. The latest version of WhatsApp for iOS 15 does not have the GIF button. The only way is if WhatsApp issues an update adding the button back based on user feedback.
Can I access GIFs quicker without the button?
Yes. Favoriting GIFs puts them at the top of the picker for easy access. Downloading a third-party GIF keyboard allows faster browsing. And you can swipe right to open the emoji/GIF menu.
Where else can I find GIFs if not in WhatsApp?
Many websites like Giphy, Tenor, and GIFBin allow searching for GIFs. You can copy and paste GIFs from these sites directly into WhatsApp chats without needing the picker. Some social media apps also allow sharing GIFs.
Will the GIF button removal apply to WhatsApp on other iPhones too?
It’s specific to the latest WhatsApp update optimized for iOS 15 and iPhone 13. Older iPhone models still run versions of the app containing the GIF button. But they may lose it if they update to iOS 15.
Conclusion
While the missing GIF button on iPhone 13 WhatsApp may be inconvenient for some users, the core GIF functionality still remains intact. With a few extra taps and some creative workarounds, you can still easily find and share GIFs to liven up your WhatsApp conversations. And if enough users make their voices heard, WhatsApp could potentially reinstate a GIF button in a future update.