GIFs have become a major part of modern communication, adding personality and fun to our everyday chats. Whether it’s a quick reaction, a funny meme, or a celebratory animation, GIFs let you express yourself in ways that words often can’t.Among the many GIF platforms available, Tenor GIF Keyboard stands out as a popular choice for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. With its fast search, massive GIF library, and easy integration, it allows you to find and send GIFs across various messaging and social media apps effortlessly.
In this guide, we will help you install the Tenor GIF app and add it to your iPhone and Mac keyboard. We will also provide a few tips on how to make your chats fun and fast with gif messaging.
Let’s quickly go ahead without taking much of your time.
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How to Install and Add Tenor GIF Keyboard App on your iPhone & iPad
Tenor GIF Keyboard isn’t just another app; it’s a seamless way to add GIFs directly to your keyboard, making it easier than ever to share reactions, jokes, and animated responses in any conversation. Adding it to your iPhone or iPad takes just a few minutes, but sending GIFs once you add them becomes a breeze.
First, let’s install the Tenor GIF keyboard app on your iPhone and iPad.
How to Install Tenor GIF Keyboard App on your iPhone and iPad
- Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
- Search for “Tenor GIF Keyboard.”
- Tap Get and authenticate the download using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
- Wait for the app to install, then open it.
The process is straightforward and simple. However, if you don’t want to spend your lazy minutes searching for the app on your iPhone or iPad, you can click on the download button below, and we will redirect you to the app to download.
How to Add the GIF Keyboard to your iPhone or iPad
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap General.
- Select Keyboard > Keyboards.
- Tap Add New Keyboard
- Under Third-Party Keyboards, select Tenor GIF Keyboard.
- Tap Tenor GIF Keyboard again and toggle Allow Full Access to ON.
Why Allow Full Access? Tenor needs full access to fetch and send GIFs over the internet. Without it, the keyboard may not work properly.
How to Send GIFs
- Open any app that uses the keyboard, such as Messages, WhatsApp, or Instagram.
- Tap on the text field to bring up the keyboard.
- Press and hold the globe (🌐) or emoji icon in the bottom-left corner.
- Select Tenor GIF Keyboard from the list.
- Search for a GIF, tap it, and send it instantly.
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How to Use Tenor GIF Keyboard on your Mac
Unlike the iPhone and iPad, the Mac does not have a dedicated Tenor GIF Keyboard that integrates directly into the system keyboard. However, there are multiple ways to use Tenor GIFs on Mac, from messaging and emails to even social media.
Option 1: Using Tenor’s Website to Find and Copy GIFs
Tenor’s website is the simplest way to access and use GIFs on a Mac. This method works across apps like iMessage, Slack, WhatsApp Web, and more.
- Open your preferred web browser (Safari, Chrome, or Firefox).
- Go to tenor.com.
- Use the search bar to find a GIF.
- Click the GIF you want and select Copy GIF Link or Download.
- Paste the GIF into your chat, email, or social media post.
Option 2: Installing Tenor GIF Chrome Extension
For a faster way to insert GIFs into emails, chats, and documents, you can install the Tenor GIF Chrome extension. This is ideal for quick GIF access in web-based apps like Gmail, Slack, and Twitter.
- Open Google Chrome on your Mac.
- Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for Tenor GIF Keyboard.
- Click Add to Chrome > Add Extension.
- Once installed, click the Tenor icon in the Chrome toolbar.
- Search for a GIF, copy it, and paste it where needed.
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Best Tips and Tricks for Using Tenor GIF Keyboard
Now that we have set up the Tenor GIF Keyboard on our iPhone and iPad and, to an extent, on Mac, let’s look at how to make the most of it. These tips should help you save time, find better GIFs, and use Tenor more quickly and smartly in your daily conversations.
1. Save Favorite GIFs for Quick Access
Instead of searching for the same GIF over and over again, save your favorites to use them instantly. This is perfect for frequently used reactions, inside jokes, or branded GIFs.
- Open the Tenor GIF Keyboard app.
- Tap and hold a GIF you like.
- Select Save to Favorites (this option may vary by app).
- To access saved GIFs, open the Tenor Keyboard and tap the Favorites tab.
2. Use the Right Keywords to Find GIFs Faster
The Tenor search algorithm is keyword-based, so using the right words helps find the best GIFs quickly.
- Be specific – Instead of searching “laugh,” try “hysterical laugh” or “LOL reaction.”
- Use pop culture references – Searching for TV shows, movies, or memes often returns high-quality GIFs.
- Try emotions or actions – Words like “excited,” “confused,” or “facepalm” work well.
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3. Use GIFs Without Losing Quality
If you notice GIFs appear blurry when sent in apps, it could be due to compression. To avoid this:
- Copy and paste the GIF link instead of downloading it.
- Use high-quality GIFs (bigger file sizes may work better in some apps).
- If an app auto-compresses GIFs, try sending them as links or files instead.
4. Upload Your Own GIFs to Tenor
Want to make your own custom GIFs? You can upload them to Tenor and use them from the keyboard. This is great for branding, memes, or inside jokes with friends.
- Go to tenor.com and sign in.
- Click Upload and select your GIF.
- Add tags so they appear in search results.
- Once approved, your GIF can be accessed via the Tenor Keyboard.
5. Use Tenor for Social Media Posts
You can use Tenor GIFs in tweets, Instagram comments, and even Facebook posts. This helps maintain better quality and avoids upload restrictions.
- Find a GIF using the Tenor website or app.
- Copy the GIF link instead of downloading it.
- Paste the link in your post; it will auto-preview the GIF.
Also Read: How to Set a Custom iPhone Ringtone for Free
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Yes, the Tenor GIF Keyboard is completely free. You can search, send, and save GIFs without any hidden costs or subscriptions.
You can, but it will severely limit its functionality. Without full access, Tenor won’t be able to fetch GIFs in real-time, making the keyboard almost unusable.
If Tenor isn’t appearing, check that it’s added under keyboard settings. Restarting your iPhone or re-enabling the keyboard usually fixes this issue.
You can remove it from the keyboard settings, and if you no longer need the app, delete it from your home screen.
Most messaging and social media apps support it, but some platforms restrict third-party keyboards, preventing GIF insertion.
Yes, you can upload your own GIFs on Tenor’s website. Once approved, they’ll be accessible via the keyboard.
A slow internet connection, outdated app, or lack of full access permissions may cause loading issues. Checking these settings should resolve the problem.
If you need an alternative, GIPHY Keyboard, Google’s Gboard, and Apple’s built-in #images offer similar GIF search capabilities.
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Wrapping up: How to Add Tenor GIF Keyboard to your iPhone, iPad & Mac
Tenor GIF Keyboard makes conversations more fun and expressive, whether you’re using an iPhone or iPad or even finding workarounds on a Mac. Installing and enabling it takes just a few minutes, and once set up, it seamlessly integrates into your messaging apps, social media, and emails.
With its extensive GIF library, fast search, and easy sharing, Tenor is a great tool for anyone who loves using GIFs in their daily chats. Customizing favorites, using the right keywords, and exploring different ways to send GIFs across platforms can make the experience even smoother.
If you ever run into issues, simple fixes like checking permissions, updating the app, or using Tenor’s website can get things working again. And if you’re looking for alternatives, options like GIPHY Keyboard, Gboard, or Apple’s built-in GIF search are worth exploring.
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