How to convert a video to GIF on iPhone
- Open DropGIF in SafariTap Pick a video or photos at the top of this page.
- Choose your videoPick the clip from your photo library. Videos straight from the Camera app work, including HEVC and HDR clips.
- Trim itDrag the yellow handles on the Trim timeline with your thumb. They snap in 0.1 s steps, so you can start right on the moment.
- Tap Export GIFThe GIF is made on your iPhone, not on a server, so there's no upload to wait for.
- Save it to PhotosTap Share, then Save Image in the share sheet. If you tapped Download GIF instead, the file is in the Downloads folder of the Files app: open it, tap Share, then Save Image.
iPhone clips that work, plus tips
You don't need to change your camera settings. Clips recorded in the High Efficiency (HEVC) format play in Safari, so DropGIF reads them like any other video, and HDR clips work too. A GIF can't store HDR or more than 256 colors, so expect it to look a little flatter than the original. For skies, skin and sunsets, open Advanced, set Colors to 256 and try Smooth dithering.
- Vertical video: keep it tall with Crop at 9:16, or use 1:1 so it sits neatly in a chat bubble.
- Screen recordings: 480 px and 10 fps keeps text sharp and the file small.
- Live Photos: a Live Photo isn't a video file yet. In Photos, open it, tap the More button (the three dots) and choose Save as Video. The new clip appears in Recently Saved, ready to pick in DropGIF.
- Slow motion: set Speed under Motion to slow a moment down further, or Boomerang to make it rock back and forth.
Make it feel like an app
DropGIF can live on your Home Screen. In Safari, open the Share menu, choose Add to Home Screen, turn on Open as Web App and tap Add. It then opens like an app and keeps working offline after your first visit. More on that on the GIF maker app page.
Sending the GIF in Messages? The result page shows a preview inside a mock iMessage chat, and the Where it fits strip tells you whether it's small enough for iMessage. To add text first, see the caption GIF maker. For a slower walkthrough, plus Apple's own options like Shortcuts and Live Photo loops, read how to convert video to GIF on iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a video to GIF on iPhone without an app?
Open DropGIF in Safari, tap Pick a video or photos, trim the clip and tap Export GIF. Nothing to install, and the video isn't uploaded anywhere.
How do I save a GIF to Photos on my iPhone?
On the result page, tap Share and choose Save Image. You'll usually find it in Recently Saved in the Photos app.
Can I turn a Live Photo into a GIF?
Yes. In Photos, open the Live Photo, tap the More button and choose Save as Video, then pick that video in DropGIF.
Is there a gif maker for iPhone without a watermark?
DropGIF works in Safari on iPhone and never adds a watermark to free GIFs, which export at up to 480 px wide.