Facebook's camera in iOS now has a built-in GIF creator allowing you to post short video loops to your profile or story

  • Facebook has added a GIF creator to the camera feature in its mobile app 
  • The GIFs only last a few seconds and can be combined with effects and frames
  • Swiping left on Facebook's camera will bring up the create-a-GIF option
  • It is only available to a small number of trial US and UK users for now 

By HARRY PETTIT FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

Facebook has added a GIF creator to the camera feature in its mobile app to allow users to record short loops of video.

Users can post their recorded GIFs, which only last a few seconds, to their status or story, and can even save them to their phone.

Swiping left to access Facebook's camera will present users with the option to create their own GIF.

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Facebook has added a GIF creator to the camera feature in its mobile app to allow users to record short loops of video. Swiping left to access Facebook's camera will present UK and US users with the option to create their own GIF

Facebook has added a GIF creator to the camera feature in its mobile app to allow users to record short loops of video. Swiping left to access Facebook's camera will present UK and US users with the option to create their own GIF

FACEBOOK GIFS 

In recent weeks, Facebook has shown it is keen on integrating the Gif into its service, introducing the ability to add the loops to Facebook comments last month.

Facebook users can now send Gifs in comments directly from a button, allowing them to send an animated image when they just can't find the words. 

Since 2015, users have been able to send GIFs in comments by copying and pasting the URL of a GIF from an external website.

But by adding a GIF button directly into the comment bar, Facebook hopes it will encourage more people to reply with animated images. 

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Users can add the full range of Facebook camera effects and frames to their GIFs.

GIF creation is only available to a small number of users globally for now, and will likely gradually roll out over the next few months,The Next Web reports.

'This update to the Facebook camera feels like a logical step forward,' Liverpool-based tech journalist Matt Hughes wrote.

'Annoyingly, I was unable to find it on any of my Android devices running the latest version of Android and the Facebook app, suggesting this is yet another iOS exclusive launch.'

Facebook is yet to respond to MailOnline's request for comment. 

In recent weeks, the company has expanded its integration of the GIF format into its service.

Users can post their recorded GIFs, which can only last a few seconds, to their status or story, and can even save them to their phone. Swiping left on Facebook's camera will present UK and US users with the option to create their own GIF (stock image)

Users can post their recorded GIFs, which can only last a few seconds, to their status or story, and can even save them to their phone. Swiping left on Facebook's camera will present UK and US users with the option to create their own GIF (stock image)

It introduced the ability to add the loops to Facebook comments last month.

Facebook users can now send GIFs in comments directly from a button, allowing them to send an animated image when they just can't find the words. 

Since 2015, users have been able to send GIFs in comments by copying and pasting the URL of a GIF from an external website.

But by adding a GIF button directly into the comment bar, Facebook hopes it will encourage more people to reply with animated images.

In a blog introducing the feature, Facebook said: 'Today we're introducing the ability to add GIFs in comments for all people on Facebook globally.

'Just tap the GIF button when you go to make a comment, type in what you're looking to say, and add the GIF that really nails it!'

GIFs were introduced to Facebook Messenger in 2015, and since, people have sent nearly 25,000 GIFs every minute.

And in the past year, GIF sends on Messenger tripled to nearly 13 billion.

DOES FACEBOOK WANT TO BE A SNAPCHAT COPYCAT? 

These creations can be saved or posted to the Instagram feed, where they will become permanent like normal Instagram videos.

Stories appear at the top of the Instagram feed.

When someone has an unseen story, their profile picture will be circled with a colourful ring.

Then just a month later, Facebook began testing what it calls ‘Messenger Day’ for some users in Poland, which aims pique the interest of those who have yet to get hooked on its rival, Snapchat.

This feature works just like Snapchat Stories – users add lively elements and it disappears in 24 hours.

And just earlier this month, Facebook added Snapchat-like animated filters to Facebook Live in Ireland.

Again, users selfies and videos and add lively filters, effects and masks that vanish within 24 hours.

The most recent use of Snapchat-like features were introduced to WhatsApp and Messenger - all of which let users share decorative content that disappears in 24 hours. 

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