How to Post a GIF on Instagram from Your Phone and PC in 2022

Animated GIFs like funny GIF memes or reaction and cat GIFs are popular stuff to be shared on Instagram Feeds or Instagram Story and often get many likes and reposts.

However, the tricky thing is that you can’t directly post a GIF on Instagram since Instagram doesn’t support GIF format. So, how come someone else posted a looping GIF on Instagram? Well, the short answer is that they used some workarounds.

So, in this tutorial, we will walk you through 3 proven ways to easily post a GIF on Instagram from your phone and PC. So, let’s get started.

Let's post a GIF on Instagram

Here’s What You Will Learn:

2 Proven Solutions to Posting a GIF on Instagram

Currently, there are 2 proven ways to post a GIF on Instagram:

So, now you know that literally, all the GIFs you’ve seen on Instagram Feed and Instagram Story were MP4 files in disguise. LOL.

How to Post a GIF on Instagram from Your Phone

If you often share posts on Instagram via your iPhone or Android, then you can use a mobile app called GIPHY or Instagram’s built-in Boomerang feature to easily post a GIF on Instagram. Here are how to post a GIF to Instagram from your phone:

1.Use GIPHY to Post a GIF to Instagram

GIPHY is the world’s largest GIFs creation and sharing platform. It has both a mobile app for IOS and Android systems and a desktop website, which makes choosing and posting GIFs to Instagram far easier.

So, let’s take a look at how to use GIPHY’s mobile app to post a GIF on Instagram:

Once you tap the “plane” button, GIPHY will offer you a selection of social media for sharing. Tap the Instagram icon.

Select a GIF and tap Instagram’s share button

As you tap the Instagram icon, you may opt to post a GIF on Instagram Story or Instagram Feed. Meanwhile, a 15-sec GIF video will be saved in your camera roll. Check how to add a GIF into a video.

Choose to post a GIF on Instagram Story or Instagram Feed

Post a GIF on Instagram Story

Post a GIF on Instagram Feed

2. Use Instagram’s Boomerang Feature to Post a GIF on Instagram

Using Instagram’s built-in Boomerang feature is another workaround to post a GIF on Instagram, though it is actually a video looping back and forth for 6 seconds. Remember, if you use Boomerang to post a GIF on Instagram, it can only be shared on Instagram Story. Learn how to turn a live photo into Boomerang.

Once you tap the “+” button, Instagram will open your camera, and on the left screen, tap the Boomerang button, which is an infinite icon.

Record a Boomerang on Instagram

Long-tap the recording button in the middle. Instagram should record the Boomerang, a looping video, which resembles a GIF. Of course, you can toggle between different video filters to spice up your video.

Next, you can preview the looping video effect. You may also add captions, stickers, etc. Then, tap the “→” button to share your GIF on Instagram Story.

Post Boomerang video GIF on Instagram

How to Post a GIF on Instagram on PC

Currently, Instagram has quietly updated its website, allowing you to directly post Instagram Feed and Instagram Story from your PC and laptop. So, if you want to use your videos and GIFs and post them to Instagram as an animated GIF from your PC, we’ve also got you covered.

The tool we recommended is FlexClip, a free and versatile online video maker. You can upload your videos to FlexClip or find GIFs assets within FlexClip and add animated text, emojis, or music, and export it as a looping video for posting on Instagram.

Feature-packed FlexClip online video maker

Create Now

If you don’t have ideal videos or GIFs at hand, you may go to the “Video” and “Photo” tab on the left menu and pick royalty-free assets for use. Then add it to the storyboard. You may use a slider to trim your videos as well.

Upload video or GIF assets to FlexCLip

Go to the “Text” and “Elements” tab on the left sidebar, where you can add animated texts, funny emojis, or other dynamic elements to add a personal flair to your video. All the fonts, color schemes, styles, motions, etc. are fully customizable.

Add animated texts, emojis, other elements

Once you are done with one storyboard, simply duplicate multiple storyboards. Then the looping effects of a GIF will be created.

Duplicated multiple storyboards to create a looping effect

This is an optional yet highly recommended step to take your animated Instagram Story or Instagram Feed up a notch. Just go to the “Music” tab, you can select from thousands of royalty-free music and add one to match your tone of the video.

Add royalty-free music to a video or GIF

Click the “Export” button and select the video quality and download to your local PC as an MP4.

Export a looping MP4 video for Instagram post

Create Now

Open Instagram’s home page on your browser > log into your account > click on the “+” icon on the top right corner > drag and drop your video from the PC > adjust the aspect ratio to 1:1, 9:16, or 16:9 and click “Next”> Add a cover photo or trim the video length and hit “Next” > finally add captions, hashtags, tag people, location > press the “Share” button to post your animated GIF video on Instagram.

Post the video GIF on Instagram from PC

Frank /

Passionate about photography, video-making and travel, Frank is a seasoned copywriter and a beloved father of 2-year-old daughter at FlexClip. He is always keen to share his latest discovery about video marketing and tricks to relive your memories through videos and images.