The best GIF camera apps in 2026

Shoot a moment, get a looping GIF · Updated

There are two ways to get a GIF out of an iPhone: shoot it as a GIF from the start, or record a video or Live Photo and convert it. A GIF camera does the first, in one step. These are the best options in 2026.

1. PHHHOTOS - REVIVED: best GIF camera

A free camera that only makes moving pictures. One tap shoots a 5-frame burst and plays it back and forth as a seamless loop: no recording, trimming or converting. About 30 filters (several animated), film looks like AERO and CINE, RAW frames with no Apple processing, TXT captions baked into the loop, and tricks like ZZZOOM, LIGHTPAINT and TIMESPLIT. Saves an infinitely looping GIF or an MP4, and loops live on a feed of friends and on the web. A remake of PHHHOTO, the 2014 GIF camera. No ads, no subscription. The catch: invite only, not on the App Store (it installs with SideStore), iPhone only. All the features.

2. GIPHY: best for reaction GIFs and stickers

The GIF library's own app can also make GIFs from your camera or camera roll and add captions and stickers, then upload them to GIPHY. The catch: it's built around searching and sharing GIFs more than taking good-looking ones.

3. Make GIF (Apple Shortcuts): best with nothing to install

Apple's Shortcuts app has a Make GIF shortcut in its gallery that turns a Live Photo, a video or a burst into a GIF and saves it to Photos. The catch: no filters or captions, and the GIFs can come out too big for some messaging apps.

4. ImgPlay: best for converting what you already shot

A GIF maker that turns photos, bursts, Live Photos and videos into GIFs, with trimming, speed, text and sizes for different feeds. The catch: it's an editor more than a camera, and some features are paid.

5. Gif Me! Camera: best simple GIF recorder

Records straight into a GIF from the camera, with live color filters while you shoot. The catch: few editing tools.

Which one to pick

Questions

What is the best GIF camera app for iPhone in 2026?

PHHHOTOS - REVIVED, a free remake of the PHHHOTO GIF camera: one tap shoots a burst and turns it into a looping GIF, with about 30 filters, RAW and captions. For reaction GIFs, GIPHY; with nothing to install, Apple's Make GIF shortcut.

How do I make a GIF with my iPhone camera?

Use a GIF camera such as PHHHOTOS - REVIVED, which makes the GIF as you shoot, or take a Live Photo and turn it into a GIF with the Make GIF shortcut in Apple's Shortcuts app.

Is there a free GIF camera app with no ads?

PHHHOTOS - REVIVED is free with no ads or subscription. It is invite only for now and installs with SideStore.

What happened to PHHHOTO, the GIF camera app?

PHHHOTO shut down in June 2017. PHHHOTOS - REVIVED is an unofficial fan remake of it for iPhone.

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