There are a few different ways to remove a GIF from a message, depending on the messaging platform you are using. GIFs can be fun to send in messages, but sometimes you may want to remove them for various reasons. Removing a GIF from a message is usually a straightforward process once you know where to look in the messaging app or website.
In this article, we will go over how to remove GIFs from messages in some of the most popular messaging platforms and apps, including Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram Direct Messages, Twitter Direct Messages, Snapchat, and iMessage. We will provide clear, step-by-step instructions for each platform to help you easily delete any GIFs you have sent or received in messages.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is one of the most widely used messaging platforms that supports sending animated GIFs in conversations. If you want to remove a GIF you have shared in Messenger, follow these steps:
1. Open the Messenger conversation where you sent or received the GIF.
2. Tap and hold on the GIF you want to remove. This will highlight the GIF.
3. Tap on the trash icon that appears at the top of the screen.
4. Tap on “Remove” in the pop-up confirmation window.
The GIF will now be deleted from the conversation. Keep in mind that the GIF will only be removed from your view of the conversation – if you sent it to someone else, they will still be able to see it on their end unless they also delete it.
If you want to remove a GIF from a group conversation in Messenger, the process is the same. You can delete any GIFs you have sent in groups as long as you are still a participant in the group. The GIF will be removed from the group chat for all members once you delete it.
WhatsApp has also become a very common platform for messaging that allows sending GIFs in chats. Here is how to remove a GIF in WhatsApp:
1. Open the WhatsApp chat where the GIF was sent.
2. Tap and hold on the GIF you want to delete. This will give you the option to “Star” or “Delete” it.
3. Tap on “Delete.”
4. Confirm you want to delete the GIF by tapping “Delete for Me” in the pop-up window.
The GIF will now be removed from your view of the chat. As with Messenger, other recipients in the chat will still be able to see the GIF on their end of the conversation unless they also delete it.
To remove a GIF from a WhatsApp group, follow the same steps. Since you are deleting it from your view, the GIF will be deleted for all members of the group once you remove it.
Instagram Direct
Instagram Direct allows you to have private conversations and exchange photos, videos, and GIFs with other Instagram users. Here’s how to remove a GIF from Instagram Direct:
1. Open the Instagram Direct conversation where you sent the GIF.
2. Tap and hold on the GIF you want to remove.
3. Tap the trash icon in the upper right corner.
4. Tap “Delete” to confirm you want to remove the GIF.
The GIF will now be removed from that conversation. As with other messaging apps, other recipients in the chat will still see the GIF unless they also choose to delete it themselves.
Twitter Direct Messages
On Twitter’s messaging platform, you can send GIFs in private Direct Messages with other Twitter users. To remove a GIF from a Direct Message conversation:
1. Open the Twitter Direct Message chat where the GIF was sent.
2. Hover over the GIF you want to delete and click the “X” delete icon.
3. Confirm you want to delete the GIF by clicking “Delete” in the pop-up window.
The GIF will now be removed from your view of the Direct Message thread. Recipients will still see the GIF on their end until they choose to delete it as well.
Snapchat
Snapchat makes sharing fun GIFs and images easy with its disappearing messages. If you’ve sent a GIF to a friend on Snapchat and want to remove it, here are the steps:
1. Open the Snapchat conversation where you sent the GIF.
2. Press and hold on the GIF to bring up the options menu.
3. Tap the trash can icon to delete the GIF.
4. Confirm you want to delete the GIF by tapping the “Delete” button.
The GIF will now be removed from your message thread. However, there is no way to delete a Snapchat message after it has been opened by recipients. So if your friend has already viewed the GIF you sent, they will still have seen it even if you delete it from your conversation.
iMessage
Apple’s iMessage platform for iOS devices allows you to send animated GIFs in message conversations. Follow these steps if you need to remove a GIF from an iMessage thread:
1. Open the iMessage conversation containing the GIF.
2. Tap and hold your finger on the GIF until the options menu appears.
3. Tap “Delete” in the menu.
4. Confirm deletion by tapping “Delete Message” in the pop-up prompt.
The GIF will now be removed from your view of the iMessage conversation. As with other messaging apps, recipients will still be able to see the GIF on their end of the conversation until they also delete it.
Removing GIFs from Email Messages
In addition to messaging apps, you may also want to remove a GIF you have sent in an email message. The exact steps depend on the email service you use, but here is how to delete GIFs from some popular email platforms:
Gmail:
1. Open the email conversation with the GIF.
2. Open the email message containing the GIF.
3. Click the vertical “More” menu next to the GIF.
4. Select “Remove attachment” to delete the GIF.
Outlook:
1. Open the email and locate the GIF.
2. Right click on the GIF.
3. Click “Remove” in the menu.
Apple Mail:
1. Open the email with the GIF attachment.
2. Control + click on the GIF thumbnail.
3. Choose “Delete Attachment” in the menu.
Once removed from an email, the GIF will be deleted from your sent message. However, recipients may still be able to view the GIF if they have already opened the email before you deleted it.
Important Things to Keep in Mind
Here are some key points to remember when removing GIFs from messaging apps and emails:
– Deleting a GIF will only remove it from your view of the conversation – recipients may still be able to see and retrieve the GIF if they have already viewed and opened the message before you deleted it.
– There is often no way to delete a sent message across all recipients and devices once it has already been seen.
– In group conversations, deleting a GIF will remove it for all participants in the group.
– On platforms like Snapchat with disappearing messages, opened messages may not be able to be deleted even if you remove them from your conversation thread.
– You can only delete GIFs that you have sent yourself – you cannot remove GIFs sent to you by other people.
– Removing a GIF from a messaging app does not delete it from your device or image library.
– If you want to permanently delete a GIF you have sent, you may need to delete it manually from your photo gallery or device storage as well.
Conclusion
While there is usually a quick and simple way to remove a GIF from any messaging platform or email provider, you cannot always guarantee that the GIF will be erased from the conversation or recipients’ inboxes and devices. However, following the steps outlined above for each platform will allow you to at least delete the sent GIF from your own view of any conversation or email thread. When removing a GIF from group messages, it will be deleted for all participants as long as they have not already viewed and opened the message.
| Platform | Steps to Remove a GIF |
|---|---|
| Facebook Messenger | Tap and hold on the GIF, then tap the trash icon |
| Tap and hold on the GIF, tap “Delete”, then confirm deletion | |
| Instagram Direct | Tap and hold the GIF, tap the trash icon, then confirm |
| Twitter Direct Message | Hover over the GIF, click the “X” icon, then confirm deletion |
| Snapchat | Press and hold on the GIF, tap the trash icon, then confirm |
| iMessage | Tap and hold the GIF, tap “Delete”, then confirm deletion |
Being able to remove GIFs from messaging and email platforms gives you control over curating and maintaining your online conversations. Now that you know how to easily delete GIFs from the most popular apps, you can keep your message threads tidy and on topic.