If a picture speaks a thousand words, an animated image probably speaks ten thousand words. If you’re of this belief and think a GIF would make more sense than a text comment, then you’d be glad to know that you can add a GIF comment to any Instagram post right from your iPhone or Android device.

Post a GIF Comment Using Instagram's iPhone or Android App

To add a GIF comment to a post on Instagram, all you need is your iPhone or Android phone and the official Instagram app. You don’t need third-party apps to find and load GIFs, as all the GIFs are available in Instagram’s own repository (powered by GIPHY).

To do that, first, launch Instagram on your phone and find the post where you want to post a GIF comment. On this post, tap the comment icon to add a new comment. (It must be a new comment because you cannot reply to another comment with a GIF.)

When the existing comments have loaded, at the bottom, tap the "GIF" option.

You’ll see various GIFs on your screen. To find a specific image, tap the "Search GIPHY" box, enter your query, and select your GIF on the list.

Instagram will add your GIF comment as soon as you tap an animated GIF. You and the other post viewers can now see your animated image comment.

Delete a GIF Comment on Instagram

After adding a GIF comment, if you decide you want to remove that comment because you think another GIF would be more appropriate or you want to post a text comment, it’s easy to delete your GIF comment.

To do that, find your GIF comment. Tap and hold on it, then choose the trash can icon.

Instagram will immediately delete your comment, and you’re all set.

Can You Post a GIF Comment From Instagram's Web Version?

If you’re using Instagram’s web version on your computer and you want to post a GIF comment, then unfortunately, you can’t do that. Instagram doesn’t allow users to post animated image comments from its web version. You have to use the platform’s app for iPhone or Android to post comments containing a GIF. This is true as of August 2023.

What if You Don’t See the GIF Comment Option in Your Instagram App?

If you want to post a GIF comment, but you don’t see the GIF option while trying to comment on a post, your Instagram app may be outdated. Old Instagram versions don’t have the animated image comment option, so you’ll have to update your app version to fix your issue.

If you’re an Android user, update Instagram by launching Play Store, finding "Instagram", and tapping "Update."

If you’re an iPhone user, launch App Store, access the "Updates" tab, and choose "Update" next to "Instagram."

When you’ve updated the app, launch the app and try to post your GIF comment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you reply to Instagram comments with a GIF?

No, you can’t reply to a comment with a GIF comment. You can only post new comment threads with GIF images.

Can you add a GIF from your phone as a comment?

No, you can’t add a GIF you've saved to your phone as an Instagram comment. You can only choose from the GIFs available in Instagram’s own repository.