Smartphone displays are all about personalisation. At a time when most smartphones look alike from the front, setting up a unique wallpaper with a complementary icon pack can inject your device with much-needed personality. If you want to stand out from the pack, GIF/live wallpapers are the way to go. The only downside is that they will drain the battery slightly faster. If that doesn’t bother you, here are the top 4 ways to set an animated GIF as a wallpaper on Android and iOS devices.
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In This Article
Things to keep in mind before choosing a GIF for your wallpaper
Turning a GIF into a wallpaper for your smartphone is not an easy task. Sure, several online marketplaces let you download custom live wallpapers, but their libraries are generally restricted to bland, cookie-cutter items. If you want something unique for your phone’s display you can either create a GIF yourself or explore platforms like Giphy.
While picking a GIF, there are certain things you need to keep in mind. The most important of them all is the resolution of the file. A pixelated GIF is never a good look for your device. Always download HD GIFs, but make sure their file size isn’t too bulky or you’ll end up slowing down your phone’s speed.
Another thing you should consider while downloading a GIF is its speed. A fast-paced GIF is too distracting to be turned into a wallpaper. You want something that slowly unfolds itself without being too flashy. A looping GIF is perfect for this situation. Certain apps can help you fix the speed of the downloaded GIF. We have mentioned our favourite pick later in the article.
Set a GIF as a wallpaper on Android
Step 1: Download the GIF on your Android smartphone. If don’t have a particular GIF in mind, you can browse apps like Giphy for ideas.
Step 2: Go to your device’s gallery and open the GIF.
Step 3: Hit the ellipses at the bottom right corner of the screen and select Set as Wallpaper.
Step 4: Crop the GIF and select whether you want it to be the lock screen wallpaper, home screen wallpaper, or both.
Step 5: Hit the tick icon at the top right corner of the screen when you’re done.
Use a third-party app for Android
If your Android smartphone does not support setting GIFs as wallpapers, use the GIF Live Wallpaper app.
Step 1: Download a GIF on your smartphone. Make sure its dimensions are similar to your home screen.
Step 2: Download and launch the GIF Live Wallpaper app on your Android smartphone.
Step 3: Hit the arrow icon to import the GIF from your device’s storage into the app.
Step 4: Select the GIF from your phone’s gallery.
Step 5: Use the toolbar on the left to edit the GIF.
Step 6: If the GIF doesn’t fit the screen, fill the empty spaces with a complementing colour.
Step 7: Hit the tick icon once you’re done editing the GIF.
Step 8: Select Apply.
Set a Live Wallpaper on your Samsung smartphone
Step 1: Download a live wallpaper from the Galaxy Store.
Step 2: Go to Settings and select Wallpaper and style.
Step 3: Tap on My wallpapers.
Step 4: Hit the ellipses at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 5: Select Live wallpapers.
Step 6: Tap on the wallpaper that you have downloaded.
Step 7: Hit Set Wallpaper.
Set a GIF as the wallpaper on iOS
GIFs need to be saved as Live Photos on iPhones if you want to set them as wallpaper.
Step 1: Launch the Giphy app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Select the GIF you want to set as your wallpaper.
Step 3: Hit the ellipses at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 4: Select Convert to Live Photo.
Step 5: Now, go to Settings and select Wallpaper.
Step 6: Select Choose a New Wallpaper.
Step 7: Tap on Live Photos.
Step 8: Select the GIF you just downloaded. Press and hold the screen to view the animation.
Step 9: Tap on Set.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I set a GIF as a wallpaper on my Android phone?
Android smartphones support Live Wallpapers, which means you can set a GIF as wallpaper on your device. Use the native gallery app or a third-party app like GIF Live Wallpaper.
Why am I not able to set a GIF as my Android phone’s wallpaper?
If your phone’s native gallery app is unable to set a GIF as wallpaper, use the GIF Live Wallpaper app. Import the GIF into the app, edit its speed and dimensions, and hit the tick icon when you’re done.
How do I make a GIF my iPhone wallpaper?
Download the GIF on your iPhone, then go to Settings>Wallpaper>Choose a New Wallpaper>Live Photos and select the GIF.
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Conclusion
These are the top 4 ways to set an animated GIF as a wallpaper on your Android or iOS device. While downloading a GIF on your iPhone, make sure you save it as a Live Photo or your device won’t recognise it as an animated file while setting up the wallpaper. If you know any other way to turn a GIF into a wallpaper, let us know in the comments!
