All you need to know about how to save a GIF from Twitter

Twitter is the metaphorical land of GIFs and memes. And if you’ve fallen into the trap of uncontrollably scrolling through your Twitter feed, we’re certain you’ve seen some utterly cool, funny GIFs.

But don’t let those great GIFs go! Instead, save them on your phone or PC, and share them with your family and friends.

There’s only one catch, though. Saving GIFs from Twitter isn’t intuitive. The platform doesn’t provide a distinct download button. Instead, you’ll need a helping hand from third-party software. But once you have the right tools, downloading GIFs is simple.

Store this valuable asset in a closed treasure for future chats, and become a GIF aficionado. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to save a GIF from Twitter.

What’s a GIF, and how does it work on Twitter?

GIFs, short for Graphics Interchange Formats, are bitmap images.

Although a GIF may look like a looped video, it’s technically a series of pictures – an animation. This means in most places on social media and the web, GIFs act as image files.

Twitter, however, converts GIFs to looped video files. You can’t save GIFs as easily from the app as you might with images. To save an image file on Twitter, you simply right-click on the image and download it on your computer. Or, tap on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the picture, and save it to the phone. But since Twitter doesn’t allow you to download videos, it’s challenging to save GIFs. As such, third-party apps propose a workaround.

How to download a GIF from Twitter

A good GIF is hard to find. Luckily, you can download hysterical GIFs from Twitter using a third-party tool. Be sure to leverage a reputable app with a solid rating. Although many options are available, we recommend researching before downloading from the iOS or Android App Store.

Since Twitter works on phones and PCs, you can download GIFs on both. Here’s how.

On a desktop

If you’re browsing Twitter on the web and see a save-worthy GIF, use the following steps to download that hilarious looped clip.

1. Open Twitter in a web browser.
2. Right-click on the GIF.
3. Select the option to copy the link.
4. Head to https://twittervideodownloader.com/ or a similar site.
5. Paste the GIF link into the corresponding field.
6. Select the option to download the clip.
7. Twitter Video Downloader saves the GIF as an MP4. If you want to store your file as a GIF, follow the next step.
8. (Optional) Go to https://ezgif.com/video-to-gif, and upload the MP4 file you saved from Twitter Video Downloader.
9. Scroll down and click “Convert your GIF!”
10. Scroll down again and tap on “Save.”

On Android phones

Use Twitter GIF downloader tools such as Tweet2GIF, and follow the below steps to save the GIF.

1. Download Tweet2GIF (or a similar application).
2. Open the Twitter app for Android.
3. Locate the GIF you want to download.
4. Tap on the Share icon.
5. Click “Share Via” from the pop-up menu.
6. Tap on the Tweet2gif icon.
7. Select Download GIF to save the animation to your phone.

On iPhones

Save a Twitter GIF on your iPhone using a third-party tool such as GIFwrapped and the following steps.

1. Download GIFwrapped (or a similar tool) from the Apple App Store.
2. Open the Twitter app for iOS.
3. Locate the GIF you want to download.
4. Copy the GIF link address, and paste it into the search bar of the GIFwrapped app.
5. Hit Search.
6. You’ll see the GIF in the GIFwrapped gallery.
7. Tap the Share icon.
8. Select whether to save the GIF to your library or photos from the pop-up menu.

Voilà! The most famous animated GIFs are now yours – send them in your personal or group chats.

GIF FAQs

If you still have some lingering questions or want to learn more about this popular content format, check out the following FAQs and brush up on your GIF knowledge.

Do GIFs have to be funny?

Many GIFs get a laugh, but there are more serious ones, too. Some of these animations contain inspirational or kind messages or cutesy graphics.

What’s the difference between a GIF and a meme?

A GIF is animated, while a meme is a static image. Memes also usually contain text to complement the photo. The text on the meme is a punchline, while a GIF is often the punchline itself.

Are GIFs stickers?

Not necessarily. GIFs are only stickers if they don’t have a background. So if the moving image in a GIF is a cut-out, the image counts as a sticker.

How do you pronounce ‘GIF?’

Don’t sweat the fierce debate on the internet on this point. Pronounce this word however you please. Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary approve both the hard “g” and soft “g” sounds, which means you can call it both “GIF” or “JIF.”

Can I edit a saved GIF?

Yes, of course. All you’ll need is an online editing tool such as GIPHY to modify a GIF. Downloadable third-party apps such as GifLab and ImgPlay also let users edit GIFs on their phones.

Up your Twitter game

GIFs are great interactive elements for your Tweets (or regular chats). Stand out from the Twitterati community, and leverage the “breaking news” platform’s tools and settings to boost your social media presence.

Take a crash course on writing a brief but brilliant bio, gaining more followers, correctly sizing images for Twitter and finding your personal URL for the app.

Speaking of URLs, grab Linktree’s free URL and handle all your social media accounts in one place. Channel your entire focus on content and GIFs, and we’ll take care of the management!