In recent weeks and months, many WhatsApp users on iPhones have noticed that the ability to send GIFs has disappeared from the app. When users tap on the GIF icon, the screen comes up blank, with no GIFs available to select.
This change has caused confusion and frustration among WhatsApp users who frequently use GIFs in their conversations. GIFs allow users to express emotions and react to messages in a fun and lively way. For many, GIFs have become an essential part of the WhatsApp messaging experience.
So why have GIFs suddenly vanished from WhatsApp on iPhones? There are a few key technical changes that have led to this issue arising.
Removal of GIPHY Integration
Up until recently, WhatsApp for iOS integrated with the GIPHY platform to enable GIF searching and sharing within the app. GIPHY is a large library of animated GIFs that can be seamlessly accessed from within other apps via their API (Application Programming Interface).
However, in mid-2022, WhatsApp made the decision to remove the GIPHY integration from their iOS app due to concerns over potential security vulnerabilities and user privacy issues. This immediately removed the vast library of GIPHY GIFs that WhatsApp users previously had access to.
GIPHY Privacy Concerns
Specifically, there were concerns around the amount of data GIPHY may have been able to access about WhatsApp users when they were searching for GIFs. This included being able to see WhatsApp user IP addresses and usage information.
There were also potential issues with GIPHY having access to see message content or other sensitive user data that WhatsApp aims to keep private.
Due to these privacy risks, WhatsApp felt it was no longer appropriate to integrate with the GIPHY platform in their iOS app. Removing this integration immediately improved user security and privacy.
Transition to Tenor GIF Library
To replace the GIPHY integration, WhatsApp began implementing their own native GIF search experience on iOS using the Tenor GIF library. Tenor is another large platform of animated GIFs like GIPHY.
However, the rollout of this new Tenor-powered GIF search experience has been slow on iOS and has still not reached all users. This transitional phase is why many WhatsApp iPhone users have found themselves without any GIF functionality for weeks or months.
Developing New GIF Search Tools
Enabling GIF searching natively within WhatsApp using the Tenor library requires significant development work. This includes indexing and optimizing the library for search, as well as building user interfaces for previewing and selecting GIFs.
Performing this development work consistently across both iOS and Android platforms also takes time for WhatsApp’s engineering teams.
Staged Rollout
Moreover, once developed, new features are always slowly rolled out to WhatsApp users in stages. This allows WhatsApp to monitor for any issues before enabling the feature for their entire global user base of over 2 billion users.
The Tenor-powered GIF search is still in this staged rollout phase on iOS. While some users have received it in recent updates, many still do not have access, which explains the inconsistent availability.
When Will GIFs Return for All iPhone Users?
WhatsApp has not provided an exact timeline for when the new Tenor GIF search experience will reach all iOS users. However, we can expect that they are working to complete the staged rollout to all users in upcoming updates over the coming weeks and months.
Enabling GIF sharing is likely a high priority for WhatsApp on iOS given how popular and entrenched this feature has become in messaging apps. But rolling out to over 2 billion global users does take significant time and care.
Stay Tuned for Updates
The best option is for iPhone users to keep their WhatsApp app updated to the latest version. With each new update, more users are likely to regain GIF functionality as the Tenor integration reaches them.
WhatsApp is also likely to provide official announcements via their social media channels and press pages when the GIF search feature is fully restored for all iOS users.
So while the current lack of GIFs may be frustrating, stay tuned for updates, keep updating your WhatsApp, and the ability to share GIFs will return soon.
Workarounds: How to Still Share GIFs on WhatsApp iPhone
While the native WhatsApp GIF search experience remains unavailable for many iOS users, there are some workaround methods to continue sharing GIFs in your conversations:
Use GIPHY or Tenor Apps
You can search for GIFs in the separate GIPHY or Tenor apps first, preview them, and then copy and paste them directly into your WhatsApp messages. This enables accessing the GIF libraries even without the in-app search feature.
Use Keyboard GIF Extension
Many iPhone keyboard apps like Gboard have direct GIF search extensions. You can access the GIF keyboard within WhatsApp, select a GIF, and paste it in without leaving the conversation.
Save GIFs to Photos
Search for GIFs in a web browser, save them to your iPhone photo library, then access them directly from WhatsApp’s photo picker when messaging.
Screenshot GIFs
On iOS 16, you can even screenshot or screen record GIFs from other apps or websites, then send the resulting image or video file directly via WhatsApp.
Workaround Method | How To Do It |
---|---|
Use GIPHY or Tenor Apps | Search in separate app, copy and paste GIF |
Keyboard GIF Extension | Enable keyboard with GIF search, select and paste |
Save GIFs to Photos | Download GIFs, access via WhatsApp media picker |
Screenshot/Record GIFs | Screen capture GIFs, send as image/video |
Conclusion
While WhatsApp works to restore native GIF search abilities on iPhone, users have several handy workarounds to continue accessing and sharing GIFs in conversations. The feature will eventually return for all iOS users in upcoming app updates.
WhatsApp’s removal of GIPHY integration was an important move to increase user privacy and security. The replacement Tenor-powered GIF search experience will bring back the fun and lively messaging that WhatsApp users love, while still protecting sensitive user data.
Stay tuned for official updates from WhatsApp, and use the tips outlined here to keep the GIFs flowing in the meantime! With some patience and creative workarounds, iPhone users can continue conveying emotions and reactions the GIF way.