To download gif from discord, right-click the animated image in chat and select "Open link" or "Open image in new tab," then right-click the full-size GIF and choose "Save image as." This workaround is necessary because Discord does not include a direct download button for GIFs shared through its built-in GIF picker or saved as favorites.
Why there's no 'download gif from Discord' button
Discord's interface allows you to browse and send GIFs from integrated libraries like Tenor or Giphy, but it treats those GIFs as shared links rather than files you own. When you favorite a GIF, Discord saves the link, not the file itself. Many users have asked for a way to keep those favorited GIFs available offline or across devices, but the platform has not added a direct save feature. This means the only reliable method is to open the GIF in a browser and save it manually, just as you would with any other image on the web.
How to save a GIF on Discord desktop
- Locate the animated GIF in a chat message on Discord for Windows, Mac, or Linux.
- Right-click the GIF image. A context menu appears.
- The GIF opens in a new browser tab at its full size.
- Right-click the GIF in that tab.
- Choose "Save image as" from the menu.
- Pick a folder on your computer, rename the file if you like, and click Save.
The GIF is now stored on your hard drive as a standard .gif file. You can double-click it to play the animation in your default image viewer or drag it back into Discord to share it again.
How to download a Discord GIF on iPhone or Android
- A pop-up menu appears.
- The GIF loads in the browser at its original size.
- Long-press (tap and hold) the GIF on the browser page.
On iOS, the GIF saves to your Photos app as an animated image. If you ever need to download videos from Discord, the same principle applies: copy the media link, open it in a browser, and save the file from there.
How to download a GIF from a direct link
Sometimes a friend posts a plain URL in chat, like a Tenor or Giphy link, rather than an embedded preview. Click the link to open it in your browser. On the source website, locate the animated GIF and right-click (desktop) or long-press (mobile) the image. Choose "Save image as" or "Download image" to save the file directly from the hosting site. If the Tenor page gives you trouble, you can download GIF on tenor using its dedicated share menu instead. This method works exactly like saving any other image from a web page and does not require any special Discord steps.
Verifying and using your downloaded GIF
After saving, navigate to the folder where you stored the file. Double-click it (desktop) or tap it (mobile) to open it. The image should play as a looping animation. If it appears as a static picture, the file may have saved as a still frame instead of an animated GIF; try the steps again and make sure you are saving from the full-size view, not a thumbnail. On a computer, you can also check the file extension, it should end in .gif. Once verified, you can use the GIF in any app that supports animated images, including messaging platforms, social media, or presentation software. Keep in mind that GIFs created by others may be protected by copyright; only download and share content you have permission to use.
