How to Fix GIF Keyboard Not Working

GIFs have come a long way in the past couple of years and already become an important part of our daily lives. When it comes to conversations via text messages or chat messengers, sending and receiving GIFs can be a fun element that makes the conversation more interesting. At times, people share their thoughts or inner emotions using GIFs without directly typing the text. Though the GIF Keyboard application has become quite popular among iOS users, it seems that the GIF Keyboard Not Working at times.

GIF indicates Graphics Interchange Format which is a combined file format for both static and animated images. Like some other keyboard features, the GIFs may also fail occasionally to work properly on your smartphones or tablet devices. It may happen due to several bugs or app compatibility issues at your end. Sometimes an outdated keyboard app, incorrect settings, or networking glitches can also trouble you a lot. In case, you’re also encountering the GIF not working issue on your iPhone then don’t worry.

Well, having GIFs regarding issues in digital communication adds humour and expressions to text messages. However, this specific issue might be frustrating enough for the affected users. Usually, GIFs are a short form of soundless images that run in an endless loop and don’t lose their clarity even after sharing or compressing. Whereas a GIF Keyboard is a third-party keyboard application that allows users to find and share GIFs in their favourite apps.

How to Fix GIF Keyboard Not Working

As per multiple reports, it looks like after installing the iOS 17 update, several iPhone users have found some difficulties in accessing the GIF Keyboard application. It was previously available in the keyboard layout directly. But Apple made some changes to the GIF Keyboard app which is also available in the Messages app. However, these specific changes have caused some confusion for a couple of users who were previously using the GIF Keyboard.

The chances are high that somehow a poor internet connection, an outdated keyboard app, an outdated system version, temporary system glitches, keyboard app permission conflicts, GIF keyboard application compatibility issues, cache data issues with the keyboard app, and more can cause such problems. Fortunately, here we’ve shared with you some workarounds that should come in handy.

Make sure to follow all troubleshooting steps until the problem has been fixed. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it.

1. Force Quit the GIF Keyboard App

It’s one of the easiest ways to close the problematic application on your iPhone which is causing multiple issues with the performance. Just force close (quit) the GIF keyboard app on your iOS device to prevent GIF loading glitches. To do so, check the steps below.

• Swipe up the screen from the bottom of the screen.
• It’ll open the app switcher.
• Now, swipe up the GIF Keyboard app card to force close it.
• Wait for around 15 seconds and then relaunch the app.

As multiple users have found this step useful enough, you should also try it. However, if this doesn’t work for you then check the next method.

2. Force Restart Your iPhone

Several iPhone owners can easily force restart their iPhones by following the steps below to resolve any kind of temporary system glitch or cache data issues.

• Quick press the Volume Up (+) button and release.
• Then quickly press the Volume Down (-) key and release.
• Next, quickly press & hold the Power (side key) button for a few seconds until the Apple boot logo appears.
• Then release the Power (side key) button.
• Wait for your iPhone to boot to the system.
• Once done, you should check for the issue again.

3. Check for the Internet Connection

The chances are high that somehow your internet connection has some issues like a poor or unstable network. It looks like your iPhone is unable to connect to the internet and can’t load GIFs using the keyboard. If you’re experiencing an internet issue with GIFs on your iPhone then you should have to switch to a faster and more stable internet connection. Try using a different network to check for the issue.

4. Check for App Updates

Another thing you’ll need to check is for GIF Keyboard app updates manually at your end by following the steps below.

• Open the Apple App Store on the iPhone.
• Tap on the Profile Picture icon at the top-right corner.
• Check which apps are available for update.
• If the GIF Keyboard app update is available, tap on the Update button.
• Wait for the installation process to complete.
• Once done, reboot the iPhone to check for the issue.

5. Update iOS on Your iPhone

You should check for the available software updates on your iPhone. Sometimes issues with the outdated system software version might also trouble you a lot. Check out the steps below to easily install the update.

• Open the Settings app > Tap on General.
• Tap on Software Update > Select Automatic Updates to On.
• Now, the system will automatically check for the available updates.
• If an update is available, tap on Download and Install.
• Enter the device passcode, if prompted.
• If there is no update available, check the iOS is up to date notification on the screen.
• Once done, restart your iPhone to apply changes immediately.

6. Remove and Add the #images Feature

In case, you’re unable to use the GIFs in the Messages app on your iPhone then you should have to remove and add the #images feature on your iPhone to avoid potential glitches or cache data issues.

• Open the Messages app (iMessage).
• Open a chat (or create a new chat).
• Swipe right on the bottom menu.
• Now, locate & tap on More (three-dot icon).
• Tap on Edit > Tap on the (-) minus icon next to #images.
• Next, tap on the Remove option from Favorites.
• Tap on Done > Restart your iPhone.
• Go to the same interface and hit Edit.
• Scroll down to More Apps > Tap on the (+) Plus icon.
• Tap on Done to complete the process.
• Then use the #images as a feature again.
• Once done, go back to the chat and try using GIFs.

7. Access the GIF Keyboard in the Message App

You might need to access the GIF keyboard in the Messages application (iMessage) by following the steps below to ensure there is no conflict with the accessibility.

• Open the Messages App (iMessage) on your iPhone.
• Launch a Conversation (or create a new Conversation).
• Tap on the (+) Plus icon at the left bottom corner to Access iMessage.
• Locate the GIF Keyboard from the iMessage app until you find the GIF Keyboard.
• Now, Enable the GIF Keyboard.
  • In case, you can’t see the GIF Keyboard, go to Settings > Messages > iMessage Apps > Enable the GIF Keyboard option.
• Once done, reboot the iPhone, and check for the issue again.

8. Allow GIF Keyboard Permissions

It’s also recommended to allow the GIF Keyboard app which usually requires specific app permissions on your iPhone to run smoothly. If the app permissions are rejected, this may cause the GIF keyboard not to work. To do so, follow the steps below:

• Go to the device Settings > Tap on Privacy & Security.
• Tap on the GIF Keyboard > Ensure to allow the necessary permissions.
• This will help in working the GIF keyboard quite smoothly.

9. Re-Arrange GIF Keyboard in iOS

Some iPhone users have started reported that re-arrange the position of the GIF Keyboard app in the iOS keyboard settings. You can check the steps below to check for the issue.

• Open the iPhone Settings app > Navigate to General.
• Tap on Keyboard > Tap on Keyboards.
• Tap on the Edit button on Keyboards at the top right corner.
• Now, press & drag the three-line icon next to the GIF Keyboard app.
• Make sure to move it up or down in the list to reposition the GIF Keyboard.
• Then tap on Done to save the changes.

10. Check for App-specific Compatibility

Multiple iPhone users have claimed that checking for app-specific compatibility did come in handy. Well, issues with the third-party GIF keyboard apps may trouble you a lot. In case, you’re using an older version of iOS on an older iPhone model then the GIF keyboard might not work properly. Therefore, check for the app compatibility or requirements to run smoothly on your iPhone.

11. Check for the Server Status

Another thing you’ll also need to check for the official Apple System Status here to ensure there is no issue with the iMessage service at your end. In case, there is a server downtime or operational issue then be sure to wait for a couple of hours and then try accessing the GIF Keyboard app again later. If there is no system downtime then make sure to skip to the next workaround.

12. Turn Off Reduce Motion

The Reduce Motion feature usually limits your Home screen for instance the screen zooms upon opening folders or apps, icons move when the device is moved, and photos or images used as the wallpaper are slightly zoomed in. This offers a smoother visual effect to the eyes. However, you can manually turn it off to prevent getting affected with the GIF keyboard. To do so, check the steps below:

• Open Settings > Tap on Accessibility.
• Tap on Motion > Go to Reduce Motion.
• Turn Off the Reduce Motion option.

13. Change Language & Region on the iPhone

We should also mention that the #images feature is available in some regions only. So, you should have changed the iPhone language and region settings to the compatible country so that you can able to use GIFs.

• Open the Settings app > Go to General.
• Tap on Language & Region.
• Choose Region > Search for your current location.
• Select the GIF keyboard > Select English (US).
• Confirm the changes, if prompted.
• Wait a while for the changes to be done.
• Once done, reboot the iPhone to apply changes.

14. Reinstall Other Third-Party Keyboard Apps

You should also uninstall and reinstall the GIF Keyboard application on your iPhone to ensure there is no issue with the installed app. Sometimes corrupted app installation or missing app files from the handset might trigger multiple issues whatsoever.

• Tap and hold the GIF Keyboard app icon on your iPhone.
• Now, select Remove App from the pop-up menu.
• Tap on Delete App.
• The system will again ask you whether to delete the app or not.
• Select the Delete button to uninstall it.
• Then open the Apple App Store application on your iPhone.
• Tap on the Search icon and search for the GIF Keyboard app.
• Hit the Get button (or the cloud download icon).
• Wait for it to install and then start using it.

Please Note: You can also uninstall and reinstall other third-party keyboard apps on your iPhone to avoid any kind of potential conflicts.

15. Try Using An Alternative GIF Keyboard App

If the above methods didn’t help, you can try using an alternative GIF keyboard app like GIPHY or GIPH Keyboard on your iPhone to avoid such an issue. We’ve mentioned the steps to add GIPHY or GIPH Keyboard to your iMessage app below.

• Open the Messages app (iMessage) on your iPhone.
• Tap on a conversation (or create a new conversation).
• Now, tap on the App Store icon at the keyboard interface line.
• Select the App Store > The App Store opens on a small screen.
• Next, tap on the Search icon at the top right corner.
• Then tap on the Search bar at the top > Type Giphy or Giph Keyboard.
• Select the specific application from the search result that you want to use.
• Now, tap on GET to install the app on your iPhone.
• Once installed, close the App Store.
• Go back to the Messages app.
• You can see the Giphy icon (or Giph Keyboard icon) in the apps row at the bottom.
• Then tap on the Giphy app icon to send GIFs using this Messages app.
• Next, tap on the search box that appears at the top.
• Enter a GIF keyword that you want to use and hit the Search icon.
• Tap on the GIF from the search results.
• Once you’re okay with the selected GIF preview inside the conversation, select the contact number or recipient.
• Tap on the Send button at the bottom right corner.
• The GIF message will now be sent to the recipient via iMessage.

16. Free Up Storage Space on Your iPhone

In case, your iPhone storage gets low on space then make sure to delete duplicate or large media files to free up some storage space. Additionally, you can also delete unnecessary documents, media files, recordings, voice memos, unused applications & games to gather enough free storage space. Sometimes having a low storage space can cause issues with the app launching or GIF loading on the keyboard. To do so, check the steps below.

• Go to Settings > Tap on General.
• Tap on iPhone Storage.
• You may see a list of recommendations for optimising your device’s storage.
• Tap on the unused or unnecessary app name to check for the size.
• Now, tap on Offload Unused Apps or Optimize Photos.
• Go back to the home screen > Tap and hold the unused app icon.
• Select Remove App > Tap on Delete App.
• If prompted, confirm the task.
• Once uninstalled, reboot the iPhone.

Please Note: Cached data and temporary data may not be counted as storage usage.

17. Perform a Factory Reset on Your iPhone

As a last resort, you can try performing a factory data reset on your iPhone manually by following the steps below. This workaround will help in wiping out all the stored data and configurations from the device completely to avoid potential system glitches or corrupted settings. This process may take some time but worth recommending.

Note: Do keep in mind to take a full data backup before performing the factory reset on your iPhone.

• Go to Settings > Tap on General.
• Tap on Reset > Tap on Erase All Content and Settings.
• Enter your device passcode or Apple ID password, if prompted.
• Confirm the task and wait for the reset to complete.
• Once done, the iPhone will automatically boot into the system.
• Next, go through the initial setup process.
• Finally, install the GIF Keyboard app again to check for the issue.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.