Facebook has quietly added the ability to make, save, and share GIFs using the built-in camera in its iOS app.

The feature is the latest camera-related upgrade Facebook has added in its efforts to take on socially-oriented, photo and video-sharing apps like Snapchat. Facebook added its mobile camera earlier this year, alongside an assortment of frames and reactive filters.

When it introduced the feature, Facebook said that it would be constantly refreshing the creative effects in its camera to keep it fun and fresh. Recently, it started supporting GIFs in the comments section of posts.

How to GIF

To access the camera, and the new GIF-making tool, swipe left while using the Facebook app. At the top of the screen — as seen in the image above — you get “Normal” and “GIF” options. To record a GIF, tap that option and then start recording.

You get around 3.5 seconds to create your GIF, after which it will begin looping. You then have the option of adding additional effects, saving it to your device, incorporating it into the “Your Story” feature, or sharing it with friends.

At present, the feature appears to only be accessible to iOS users, which means your Android-using friends (seriously, ditch ’em!) may be waiting a while until they can make use of GIFs themselves.

Via: TNW