To add GIFs to Snapchat, take a photo or video Snap, tap the sticker icon on the Preview screen, then tap GIF and choose an animated sticker. Drag it into position and pinch it to resize it before sharing. These steps work in the Snapchat mobile app for iOS and Android.
The short version
- On a Snap: Tap the sticker icon, choose GIF, and select an animated sticker.
- In Chat: Tap the smiley face icon and select an animated sticker to send.
- Custom animations: Snapchat+ lets you turn up to five seconds of a video into a saved animated sticker.
- On desktop: You can attach GIF files in Snapchat for Web, but Snapchat does not promise animated playback.
| Option | Where to use it | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in GIPHY stickers | Mobile Snap Preview | Add animated stickers to a photo or video |
| Send a decorated Snap | Mobile Send To screen | Share with friends, Groups, or Stories |
| Post to your Story | Mobile Send To screen or Story shortcut | Publish your decorated Snap |
| Animated Chat stickers | Mobile Chat sticker drawer | Send an animation in a conversation |
| Favorite a Chat sticker | Mobile Chat sticker drawer | Save a sticker for reuse |
| Custom video sticker | Mobile Chat with Snapchat+ | Make an animated sticker from a video |
| Personal GIPHY sticker | Desktop GIPHY creation and mobile Snapchat search | Find qualifying public creations through @username search |
| Drag a GIF file | Snapchat for Web | Attach a file by dragging it into Chat |
| Select a GIF file | Snapchat for Web | Choose a file with the picture icon |
| Paste a GIF file | Snapchat for Web | Attach a copied file from the clipboard |
| Remove a GIF sticker | Mobile Snap Preview | Drag an unwanted sticker into the trash |
| Install Snapchat | Official download page | Get the mobile app before adding stickers |
Add a GIF to a photo or video Snap
If you need to install Snapchat, open the official Snapchat download page and choose the download option for your device. Follow its official store destination to get the mobile app.
Open Snapchat and take the photo or video you want to decorate. On the Preview screen, tap the sticker icon, then tap GIF to open the GIPHY sticker selection. Choose a trending sticker, or enter a search term and tap a result to add it to your Snap.
Position your GIF and remove unwanted stickers
Drag the GIF sticker to place it where you want it on the Snap. Pinch the sticker to resize it, and repeat the sticker selection steps to layer additional GIFs.
To remove one before sharing, press and hold the GIF sticker on the Preview screen, then drag it into the trash. You can delete stickers on Snapchat individually this way. Repeat for each unwanted sticker, since Snapchat does not provide a remove-all-stickers action.
Send your Snap or add it to your Story
When your GIF stickers are in place, tap Send To. Select the friends, Groups, or Stories that should receive the Snap, then tap the blue arrow icon to send it.
For your own Story, select My Story on the Send To screen, then tap the blue arrow icon. Alternatively, after creating your decorated Snap, tap the Story shortcut icon at the bottom of the screen. Either route publishes the decorated photo or video, with the GIF sticker included as part of the Snap.
Send an animated sticker in Chat
Open the conversation where you want to send an animation. Tap the smiley face icon to open the Chat sticker drawer, then tap the animated sticker you want to send. You can also select saved custom animated stickers from this drawer.
Save a favorite Chat sticker for later
Press and hold a sticker in Chat, then tap Add to Favorites. To reuse it, open the Chat sticker drawer and tap the heart tab. Tap the saved sticker to send it again in the conversation.
Create an animated sticker from your own video
With Snapchat+, you can create a custom animated sticker from a video in the mobile app. Open a Chat, tap the sticker icon, then tap New Sticker and select a video from Memories or your Camera Roll.
Drag the trim window to select up to five seconds of footage. You can also crop the video or draw over it to isolate a moving area before tapping the checkmark icon.
When versions with and without the background are available, swipe between them to choose the one you want. Tap Save, then select the saved sticker from the sticker drawer to add it to a Snap or send it in Chat.
If your custom sticker is static, check whether you paused on a single frame before creating it. That produces a still sticker, so select a video segment when you want an animated result.
Make a personal sticker through GIPHY
You can create a personal animated sticker with GIPHY on a desktop, then find qualifying public creations in Snapchat through @username search. Sign in to GIPHY, open its desktop Sticker Maker, select Sticker, and upload a JPG or PNG.
Remove the background with the sticker tools, then select Continue to Animate and choose a motion filter. Select Continue To Upload, keep the creation public, and select Upload to GIPHY.
After moderation, create a Snap on your phone and tap the sticker icon on the Preview screen. Tap GIF, search for your GIPHY username with the @ prefix, and tap an available sticker to add it.
You do not need an upgraded creator or brand channel for qualifying Sticker Maker content found through @username search. If your sticker does not appear, check that you kept it public and included the @ prefix in your search. Moderation and Snapchat’s age-rating restrictions also affect availability, so an upload does not guarantee inclusion.
Attach a GIF file in Snapchat for Web
On a desktop, sign in to Snapchat for Web using the latest Chrome, Edge, or Safari, then open a conversation. Drag the GIF file from your computer into the Chat bar. Alternatively, click the picture icon and select the GIF file you want to share.
You can also copy a GIF file and paste it into the conversation. On Windows, select the file and press Ctrl + C, then click the Chat bar and press Ctrl + V. On Mac, select the file and press Command + C, then click the Chat bar and press Command + V.
Snapchat supports GIF file attachments on the web, but it does not promise that their animation will be preserved. If you want an animated sticker on a photo or video Snap, use the mobile app’s GIF sticker selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need Snapchat+ to add regular GIF stickers?
You can use built-in GIPHY stickers and send ordinary animated stickers in Chat without a documented Snapchat+ requirement. The subscription requirement applies to creating custom animated stickers from videos.
Can you still send Cameos in Snapchat Chat?
Snapchat says Cameos in Chat are no longer available. You can send an animated sticker from the Chat sticker drawer instead.
Can you import a downloaded GIF from your Camera Roll as an animated overlay?
Snapchat does not document Camera Roll GIF import as a way to create an animated overlay. Its Camera Roll sharing instructions cover photos and videos, so choose a built-in GIF sticker to decorate your Snap.
How long does a personal GIPHY sticker take to appear in Snapchat?
GIPHY does not guarantee a moderation turnaround. Your sticker must be suitable for all ages to qualify for Snapchat, and you cannot pay for placement there.
Can your personal GIPHY stickers appear in broader searches?
An upgraded GIPHY channel can qualify your content for broader search distribution. Your qualifying personal Sticker Maker creations can use @username search without that upgrade.