GIF support is finally in the works for WhatsApp soon. In its changelog, the latest beta release for iOS shows the messaging service now supports GIF animations, so users won’t need to open a browser just to see GIFs anymore.
According to a report by The Next Web citing @WABetaInfo’s recent tweet, WhatsApp will have support to autoplay GIFs.
Changelog of #WhatsApp#beta for #iOS 2.16.7.1 is available now!https://t.co/yHrYkvUBOm#GIF#GifSupport#HOTNEWS#whatsappbeta
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) June 7, 2016
WhatsApp has not yet announced GIF support but as per rumours, the GIF support will soon roll out to its Android app as well. Interestingly the changelog also notes app will be able to save GIFs “as a simple image.” That’s a little odd given the reason for sharing a GIF is the animation, but perhaps it’s a space-saving thing.
As for Windows 10 Mobile, we don’t know when the ability to receive and send GIF animations via WhatsApp will arrive. We assume users of WhatsApp for Windows 10 Mobile won’t have to wait for too long because the app is updated regularly and usually doesn’t fall behind other platforms.