{"id":199746,"date":"2026-03-11T12:43:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T16:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/?p=199746"},"modified":"2026-03-11T12:43:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T16:43:02","slug":"how-to-save-gifs-from-x-to-iphone-photos-app","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/2026\/03\/how-to-save-gifs-from-x-to-iphone-photos-app\/","title":{"rendered":"How to save GIFs from X to iPhone Photos app"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this guide, we tell you about four ways to save GIFs from the X app (formerly Twitter) to the iOS Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.<\/span><\/p>\n

X lets all users save still images<\/a> from the platform to the Photos app with little fuss.<\/p>\n

You can also save videos from X to your iPhone photo library<\/a> in just a couple of taps, provided you have subscribed to X Premium<\/a>, and the poster has allowed downloads.<\/p>\n

However, when it comes to GIFs, you can’t save them like photos, nor will you see the download button that appears on a video post. This leaves you with using workarounds, and none of them are straightforward. Still, all things considered, if you must save GIFs from X to your iPhone Photos app, here are four ways to do that.<\/p>\n

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Table of Contents<\/b> hide<\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n
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1)<\/span> Use the Twitter Video and GIF Downloads<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
2)<\/span> Use the TVDL shortcut<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
3)<\/span> Use native screen recording<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
4)<\/span> Use a Twitter video downloader website<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
5)<\/span> Just share the post link instead, or find the GIF elsewhere<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Use the Twitter Video and GIF Downloads<\/span><\/h2>\n

After trying countless Siri shortcuts, I found this one that works and saves the X GIF to the iOS Photos app. But it doesn’t capture the X post link directly from the Share Sheet; it only reads the post URL from your clipboard. So, you must follow the exact steps I show you below.<\/p>\n

1)<\/strong> Add the shortcut to your iPhone or iPad by scanning the QR code on routinehub.co\/shortcut\/16877\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2)<\/strong> Open the X app<\/strong> on your iPhone and go to a post with a GIF. You can just search for \u201cGIF\u201d to find something.<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong> Tap the share button<\/strong> under the X post and select Copy Link<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

4)<\/strong> Tap the same share button<\/strong> again, and this time select Share via<\/strong> to open the iOS Share Sheet. Next, tap Twitter Video & Gif Downloads<\/strong> from there.<\/p>\n

5)<\/strong> You’ll now have to allow a bunch of permissions that this shortcut presents you with. After that, when you get to the ‘Select Server’ prompt, select the first one that says ‘x2twitter<\/strong>.’ Then, after allowing some more permissions, when you see the ‘What’s the next?’ option, tap ‘Make the gif<\/strong>.’ Allow notifications from this shortcut if you want.<\/p>\n

6)<\/strong> Finally, open the Photos app<\/strong>, and you’ll find the GIF saved there.<\/p>\n

When you have to save a second GIF, you must not start from step 4 above; instead, start from step 3 (i.e., copying the post link to the clipboard), and follow the rest of the process.<\/p>\n

Use the TVDL shortcut<\/span><\/h2>\n

Just like the above iOS shortcuts, this one also requires you to copy the GIF post link on X and then select TVDL 4.1.0 from the iOS Share Sheet. We have explained how to use this shortcut in our guide on downloading videos from X to the iPhone Photos app<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Use native screen recording<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you don’t save a lot of GIFs from X, this method is one to know about.<\/p>\n

Simply use the screen recording option<\/a> in iOS Control Center to record your iPhone screen showing the GIF. Then, crop the screen recording<\/a> to show just the GIF portion and strip away the rest.<\/p>\n

Finally, share this screen recording video via Messages, WhatsApp, email, etc. If the video is very short, WhatsApp may even offer you the option to send it as a GIF instead of a video<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related:<\/strong> How to turn a video or screen recording into a GIF on iPhone and Mac<\/a><\/p>\n

Use a Twitter video downloader website<\/span><\/h2>\n

Websites that let you download videos from Twitter are very popular, and most also support saving GIFs (though as small video files). The entire process is the same as saving a video. Here’s a recap:<\/p>\n

1)<\/strong> Copy the X post link with GIF, visit ssstwitter.com<\/a> in Safari on your iPhone, paste the link there, and tap Download<\/strong> > Download original video<\/strong>. After closing the ads, tap Download<\/strong> (not View) on the Safari pop-up asking for your permission on what to do with the GIF.<\/p>\n

2)<\/strong> Next, go to Safari Downloads, as shown in the screenshots below.<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong> Tap the GIF to open it. Then, tap the share icon<\/strong> and select Save Video<\/strong> to have this GIF as a video in your iPhone Photos app.<\/p>\n

Just share the post link instead, or find the GIF elsewhere<\/span><\/h2>\n

Finally, if none of the above steps seem viable or easy, simply share the actual X post link instead of downloading and sharing the GIF.<\/p>\n

Most GIFs on X are also available on Google, GIPHY, and other GIF-focused platforms. Simply search for the GIF by description and save it from elsewhere.<\/p>\n

More on GIFs:<\/strong><\/p>\n