How to Make a GIF from an iPhone Video or Live Photo

To make a GIF from an iPhone video, open Video to GIF in Safari, tap the upload area and choose the video from your Photo Library. Pause where the GIF should begin and tap Use current position, set the Length to a few seconds, choose Frames per second and Width, and tap Make GIF. Download it, then share it or save it to Photos.

Make the GIF step by step

1. Open Video to GIF in Safari on your iPhone.
2. Tap the upload area, choose Photo Library, and pick the video.
3. Play it and pause at the start of the moment. Tap Use current position.
4. Set the Length — 2 to 4 seconds is ideal.
5. Choose 10 (standard) frames per second and 480 px width — a good balance of size and quality.
6. Tap Make GIF and wait for it to finish.
7. Tap Download GIF. Open it from Safari's downloads, then tap Share to send it, or Save Image to put it in Photos.

The built-in way: Live Photo loops

If you took a Live Photo, iPhone can already make it loop:

1. Open the Live Photo in Photos.
2. Tap the Live button at the top-left.
3. Choose Loop (repeats) or Bounce (plays forwards and backwards).

These loops play in Photos and are shared as short videos with Apple devices — but they're not GIF files. To get a real GIF you can post anywhere, use the browser tool (Live Photos can be exported as video: in Photos, select it and choose Share › Save as Video, then use that video).

Make a boomerang from an iPhone video

For the Instagram-style back-and-forth effect, use the Boomerang GIF maker instead: choose the clip start and length (1–2 seconds works best), and a speed of 2× for the classic quick bounce.

Tips for iPhone videos

• Short videos load faster. Phone browsers have less memory; if a long 4K video struggles, trim it first in Photos (Edit, drag the yellow handles, Save Video as New Clip).
• Portrait videos make tall GIFs — great for Stories, a bit large for chats. Choose a narrower width like 320 px.
• Slow-motion videos make lovely GIFs: the movement is already smooth.
• Add words with Add Text to GIF — top and bottom captions, or a punchline at the end.

Which frame rate and size?

Higher numbers look smoother but make bigger files.

Sharing your GIF

• Messages and WhatsApp: share the GIF file from Photos or Files; it plays in the chat.
• Instagram: Instagram doesn't play GIF files in posts — convert it to a short video with GIF to MP4, or post the original video.
• Email: GIFs play in most email apps; keep them under 1–2 MB with the GIF Compressor.

Privacy

The video stays on your iPhone: frames are taken by Safari and the GIF is made there too. Nothing is uploaded, and there's no watermark.

Frequently asked questions

Does it work with HDR and HEVC videos?

Yes in Safari, which plays iPhone videos natively. The GIF has standard colours (GIFs can't be HDR).

Can I do it on a computer instead?

Yes — AirDrop or copy the video to your computer. On Windows, if Chrome can't play an HEVC video, convert it first with Convert to MP4.

Why can't my GIF have sound?

GIFs never have sound. Share a short video instead if you need it.