Previously, for those who installed the app, GIF Keyboard’s GIF collection was accessible by tapping the “+” icon within a Messages app conversation and then hitting More or swiping up on the screen. However, based on testing, it’s no longer visible as an option on the new expandable menu, with many users online claiming that it disappeared after they updated their device to the latest iOS.
So, where is it now? Upon further inspection — and also confirmed by some users online — the GIF Keyboard shortcut seems to have migrated under the Stickers option. Here’s how to get to it:
- Open a conversation on the Messages app.
- Tap the “+” icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
- Hit Stickers.
On top of the sticker drawer are all your Messages-compatible apps that also have their own stickers. Simply keep scrolling through the options by swiping left until you see the icon for GIF Keyboard. To change its placement on the sticker option strip, tap Edit, long-press the hamburger icon next to GIF Keyboard, and drag it to the top of the queue. After you hit Done, the GIF Keyboard should appear right away when you select the Stickers option from the main expandable menu.
The reason why the GIF Keyboard shortcut was relocated within the Messages app is simple: Apple is sticking to its plan to bring forth a more organized text-messaging interface. Based on testing, other third-party apps that also offered their own set of stickers also disappeared from the main expandable menu. Much like GIF Keyboard, they have now been moved into the Stickers section. From the sticker-compatible apps, only Memoji still appears in the main menu since it also doubles as a camera app.
