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WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. One of the key features that makes WhatsApp so engaging is the ability to send multimedia like photos, videos, voice notes, documents and GIFs to other users. GIFs in particular have become extremely popular on WhatsApp, allowing users to express emotions and reactions quickly and easily during chats.
But while sending basic text messages, photos, documents etc. is free on WhatsApp, some users have questioned whether you need to pay to send GIFs within chats. So do WhatsApp users need to pay to send GIFs? Let’s take a closer look at how WhatsApp handles GIFs and payments.
Do you need to pay to send GIFs on WhatsApp?
The short answer is no, users do not need to pay any fee or subscription to send GIFs within WhatsApp chats. WhatsApp is a free messaging platform, so once you have downloaded the app and registered an account, you can send text, multimedia files like GIFs, make WhatsApp calls etc. to any of your WhatsApp contacts without incurring any charges.
WhatsApp does not charge any fee on a per-message basis either. So no matter how many texts, photos, videos, documents, voice notes or GIFs you send each month, there are no hidden costs or subscription charges to pay on WhatsApp.
This freemium model is made possible by WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta (formerly Facebook), which monetizes the app using other methods like in-app payments and advertising on Facebook and Instagram. But the basic messaging functionality remains free.
So in summary, you do not need to pay anything extra to search for, download or send GIFs to your WhatsApp contacts. It is a free feature included in the app.
Where do WhatsApp GIFs come from?
When you send a GIF via WhatsApp, where does it actually come from?
WhatsApp has integrated a GIF search engine directly within the app itself. So when you click on the GIF icon while typing a chat, it lets you browse and search a huge library of trending GIFs from various online databases. These include Giphy, Tenor, GifBin and other GIF repositories.
Once you select a GIF you want to send, WhatsApp downloads it from the respective database and attaches it directly within your chat. The GIF is not stored permanently on your phone’s storage. And your WhatsApp contacts don’t need to have a separate GIF app installed to view the GIFs you send them.
So in a way, WhatsApp is accessing these huge GIF libraries for you and enabling seamless GIF sharing across its platform, without you needing to leave the WhatsApp app interface. This creates a smooth, integrated experience for finding and sending GIFs in your chats.
Does WhatsApp limit how many GIFs you can send?
No, there is no limit imposed by WhatsApp on how many GIFs you can send in a day or to one chat. Since it’s a free feature, you can search for and share as many GIFs as you like with your contacts daily.
The only limit is on the size of media you attach. WhatsApp currently allows you to send files up to 100MB in size. Most GIFs are well below this size, usually just a few hundred KB.
But this 100MB size limit applies cumulatively to all media like photos, videos, documents and GIFs attached in one chat. So you couldn’t send multiple GIFs totaling over 100MB in one go. You would need to break them up into separate messages.
Aside from that, there is no explicit limit or caps on the number of GIFs you can send from WhatsApp daily. You can share as many as you want for free.
Can you create your own GIFs within WhatsApp?
WhatsApp itself does not currently have a built-in feature that lets you make your own GIFs. Its GIF search engine accesses existing trending GIF content from online databases.
However, there are a few workarounds to create your own GIFs for WhatsApp:
– Use third-party GIF maker apps – There are various apps available like GIPHY Cam, ImgPlay, and Gif Maker that allow you to capture short videos or bursts of photos and convert them into GIFs. You can then save these GIFs and upload them to WhatsApp.
– Use editing software – Graphics programs like Photoshop or GIMP let you create frame-by-frame animations and export them as GIFs to share on WhatsApp.
– Convert videos – You can also use online tools or convertor apps to extract a short 5-10 second clip from a video and save it as a GIF to send via WhatsApp.
So while WhatsApp itself does not have GIF creation abilities, there are plenty of user-friendly tools to make your own animated GIFs for sending on WhatsApp chats.
Does sending GIFs use a lot of mobile data?
GIF files are generally pretty small in size compared to photos and videos. The average GIF may be around 1-5MB in size. Even large high-resolution GIFs are usually only 10-20MB.
This means sending and receiving GIFs consumes very little mobile data. Even sending multiple GIFs per day on WhatsApp will usually only add up to a few MBs of data usage.
Of course, this depends on the size and quality of the GIFs you are sending. Higher resolution or longer animations will be larger in size. But in most cases, GIF sharing results in negligible data consumption.
So you don’t need to worry about sending a flurry of GIFs eating into your mobile data allowance. The small file sizes make GIFs very data friendly for everyday WhatsApp usage.
Can you send GIFs on WhatsApp Web/Desktop?
Yes, WhatsApp’s web and desktop interfaces have full support for sending GIFs in chats. When using WhatsApp Web in your mobile browser or the desktop app for Mac/Windows, you get the same GIF search experience and options as on your mobile.
To send a GIF via WhatsApp Web or desktop:
1. Open the chat window for one of your WhatsApp contacts.
2. Click on the paperclip icon to open the Attach menu.
3. Click on the GIF icon in the attach menu. This will open the GIF search interface.
4. Browse for a relevant GIF or use the search bar to find a specific one.
5. Select the GIF you want and click Send. This will insert the GIF in your chat.
The process is very similar to the mobile apps. Any GIFs you send or receive on WhatsApp Web/Desktop will also sync across your connected mobile devices.
So you can conveniently share GIF reactions and expressions whether chatting on your phone, tablet, computer browser or desktop app.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp offers free unlimited GIF sharing capabilities without any subscription fees or costs. You don’t need to pay anything extra to search, download and send GIFs in your chats.
WhatsApp seamlessly integrates access to huge GIF libraries from sites like Giphy and Tenor within the app interface itself. So you can find trending reaction GIFs easily without switching apps.
While WhatsApp itself does not have a GIF maker, there are many third party apps that help create your own animated GIFs for sharing. And with small file sizes, sending numerous GIFs daily consumes minimal mobile data.
Overall, the ability to send unlimited GIFs for free is a fun way to make chats more engaging. Together with texts, photos, videos and more, GIFs help you express a fuller range of emotions and reactions on WhatsApp every day.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you need to pay to send GIFs on WhatsApp? | No, sending GIFs is free on WhatsApp. |
| Where do the GIFs come from? | WhatsApp integrates GIF libraries from sites like Giphy and Tenor. |
| Is there a limit on how many you can send? | No, you can send unlimited GIFs. |
| Can you make your own GIFs in WhatsApp? | No, but third party apps allow you to make GIFs. |
| Does sending GIFs use a lot of data? | No, GIF file sizes are very small. |
| Can you send GIFs on WhatsApp Web/Desktop? | Yes, the feature is available across platforms. |