Do you envy a friend who seems to have a goldmine of awesome GIFs and now wants to spice up your messages as well? It’s then fortunate that you’re here! Because today, I will cover how to edit GIFs on Smartphones, PC, and through a web browser.
GIFs take up what’s left between an image and a video. And sometimes, when using emojis just isn’t enough, a GIF may speak a thousand words. GIFs have become notoriously popular during the past few years. Most devices and apps have built-in packs to up your GIF game in a conversation.
And when you can’t find a GIF for a remark, you can always create one! Below, I have elaborated on adding text, stickers, and emojis to GIFs on smartphones, PCs, and web browsers. In addition, you will also learn how to change the contrast, resolution, frame rate and even how to cut a GIF.
How to Edit GIFs on Smartphones?
Using GIFs on smartphones is much more common than on any other device. You have all your messages app a tap away. And that’s why we’ll begin with how to edit GIFs on smartphones.
iPhones
iPhones have yet to come up with a dedicated built-in GIFs feature. However, that’s not to say you can’t do so at all! Unless you’re using an audio-only entertainment app, you can use GIPHY to edit, crop, resize or add text for any conversation.
GIPHY is a top-rated app for editing GIFs on iPhone. And they have an amazing interface for iPhones to back their claims up. But to use GIPHY to edit GIFs on your iPhone, you need to download the app from App Store first.
Once that’s off the table:
- Launch the GIPHY app from your iPhone.
- Tap on the (+) button at the bottom of the screen to add a GIF for editing.
- After adding a GIF, it should appear on the screen as ready for editing. Crop, resize, sharpen, blur, rotate, add text & stickers and change the contrast of the GIF.
- Once you’re done with editing, save the GIF to your camera roll by tapping on the checkmark icon at the top of the screen.
Android Devices
Unlike iPhones, you have a much larger variety of GIF editing apps on the Google Play Store. However, many of these apps turn out to be common mobile spams. But since GIPHY yet has to see competition, it is still the best-recommended app to use on your Android devices.
GIPHY on Android is free to use, has a user-friendly interface, and pretty much does what it advertises. It lets you edit GIFs with the least bit of hassle involved. However, to use GIPHY on your Android device, you must first download it from the Google Play Store.
After downloading GIPHY:
- Open the GIPHY app by either launching it from the menu or tapping on it from the home screen.
- Tap the “Film-Roll” icon from the bottom of the screen to select a GIF from your library.
- Select a GIF you want to edit and import it to the GIPHY app.
- Add text, emojis, stickers, select filters, resize or crop the GIF as per your liking.
- Select the “Save Edit” option on the screen to save the GIF to your library.
How to Edit GIFs on Windows 10 PC or Laptop?
GIF editing and creation on smartphones is a quick way to keep up on conversations. But if you want to stock up your library with high-quality GIFs, you better do it on a PC or Laptop. A bigger screen means there is much more detail that can catch your eye.
When talking about editing GIFs on a PC or laptop, Photoshop is the first app to cross your mind. But as helpful, effective, accurate, and efficient as it is, it is too sophisticated for mere GIF editing. If you have a buff PC and are well-versed with using Photoshop, it surely is the pick for you.
But since Photoshop is infamous for creating computer speed problems, it might go too hard on your light-built PC. Here is a list of editors you can install on your PC to edit a GIF.
The top picks for offline GIF editors above are just what you need to get started with GIF editing and creation across all Windows 10 versions. However, you can also use your computer’s web browser to search for online GIF editors to get things done much quicker. But more on that later in the article!
How to Edit GIFs on macOS Devices
You may wonder why there’s a separate section for editing GIFs on macOS devices. That’s because these are the only devices that have a built-in GIF editor for creating and editing GIFs. No more downloading third-party apps and signing up for additional agreements!
Have an old iMac that you can’t a use for? Find out here how to connect iMac as a monitor to your laptop!
However, the built-in GIF editor in macOS devices is not as extensive as GIPHY, Photoshop, or other GIF editing tools. And if you wish to do more with your macOS device, you can always download a third-party app to help you out!
To edit GIFs on the macOS built-in tool:
- Either select the GIF you want to edit from its folder location or search for it using Spotlight.
- Open the file in Preview, and click “Edit” at the top of the screen.
- Stretch the GIF and zoom in on the part of the GIF you want to edit.
- Open the “Tools” menu.
- You can change shapes, add stickers, text, emojis, and crop the image sizes along with some other features.
- After you complete editing the GIF, click “Save” from the “File” menu.
How to Edit GIFs with a Browser Without Photoshop?
Sometimes, editing or creating one GIF is all you want. So why go through the hassle of downloading third-party apps that you won’t find a use for later?
Instead, you can use online GIF editing websites to help you create a new GIF or edit an existing one. Now, there are as many GIF editing websites as there are apps, even more actually. And to find the best pick for you, I’ve mentioned the features of some top-rated platforms for you to choose from.
GIF Maker
GIF Maker is a renowned and reliable platform for editing GIFs from. But as easy to use and user-friendly it is, it is also very limited in its features. It only lets you trim, add text, emojis, and stickers to a GIF. Also, you have a few filters to choose from, can change time-lapse modes (fast or slow), and adjust the GIF speed.
If going over the features doesn’t satisfy your need, I’ve got an extensive one for you down below!
GIPHY
If you thought you had enough of GIPHY already, you’re wrong. GIPHY has an online editing tool as well, apart from its Android and Apple apps. And the web interface is as extensive and user-friendly as the previously-mentioned apps are.
The online GIF editing tools allow you to draw over GIFs, add texts using different styles and animations, add stickers, and choose color & effect filters for GIFs. There are also a handful of other features that you can discover while editing the GIF.
EZGIF
EZGIF is the most versatile GIF editor available online. From resizing, cropping, and splitting frames, you can do all the editing you want to add text, rotate, adjust GIF speed, flipping, and transparency.
And it doesn’t even stop there! EZGIF allows you to add an overlay image, adjust (brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, etc.), sharpen, blur, and add filters and frames!
If a one-time edit is really what you’ve been looking for, you won’t come by a better GIF editor than EZGIF online.
Conclusion
For a quick recap, you’ve learned how to edit GIFs using a smartphone (Apple or Android) and PC. You’ve also learned how to edit GIFs without Photoshop and to use online editors like EZGIF.
I hope there was a lot to cherry-pick out of the above methods for you, and I would love to see your contributions in the comments, if any!
