This WhatsApp Change Could Make You Look Ridiculous

WhatsApp has changed a feature. From now on, if you have an Android device, you will need to be more careful when sending GIF images.

Do you like sending funny GIFs on WhatsApp? We do! Admittedly, sometimes the humor is so simple that we wouldn't want it to reach the wrong recipient. But this can easily happen now due to the changes WhatsApp has made.

Until now, to find and send a suitable GIF on WhatsApp, you had to select one of the suggested GIFs and tap on it. The image would then open in a larger preview. But now, everything happens much faster—and more risky for you.

Now, when you open a GIF library and click on one, it will be instantly sent to the recipient. For now, this change only applies to the Android version of WhatsApp. The way GIFs are sent on iPhones has not yet changed, and it is not known if or when this will happen.

This change only affects the GIF feature within the WhatsApp messenger itself. If you search for an animated image using the GIF feature on the Google keyboard, the normal preview will still open when you tap on the small version of the image. If you're using WhatsApp on an Android device, you can still access the GIF preview, but you'll need to make an extra move to do so. To get a regular preview with an extra caption, you must hold down the GIF for a longer time. However, if your finger slips off the screen too soon, the image will be sent.

This new approach could create some awkward moments for users. Imagine accidentally sending a GIF to your boss or a professional contact instead of a friend, simply because you tapped too quickly. These kinds of mistakes could be embarrassing, especially if the GIF isn't appropriate for the situation. As a result, it might be worth double-checking your recipient before selecting a GIF.

The safest way to avoid this issue is to create your own GIF from a video. There are many tools and applications designed for this purpose.

For example, you can use Giphy, a platform with many animated GIFs online, which also offers the option of converting videos to GIF images. After registering on the service, select "Create" at the top right to access the editor. Here, you can upload your video or add it by inserting a URL link, and then select the desired part of the video and the length of your GIF.