Gfycat is a popular GIF hosting and sharing platform that allows users to easily create, upload, and share short video clips and GIFs. With a massive library of user-submitted content, Gfycat is a great place to find entertaining and interesting GIFs. However, if you want to save a GIF you find on Gfycat for personal use, downloading it directly can be tricky. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to download and save GIF files from Gfycat.
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What is Gfycat?
Gfycat is a GIF hosting platform launched in 2013 that allows users to upload short video clips up to 15 seconds long. These clips are then converted into high-quality GIFs and given a unique URL that users can share with others.
In addition to user-submitted content, Gfycat has an extensive database of trending GIFs and a search function to easily find GIFs on any topic. The platform is especially popular on social media and messaging apps thanks to its integration tools that allow easy sharing.
Why Download GIFs from Gfycat
There are several reasons you may want to download a GIF hosted on Gfycat:
- Offline access: Downloading allows you to save GIFs to view later without an internet connection
- Share via messaging apps: Downloaded GIFs can be easily sent through messaging apps that don’t support Gfycat integration
- Use in presentations or projects: Downloaded GIFs can be used in PowerPoint, Keynote, Word and other documents
- Avoid broken links: Links to hosted content can break over time, downloading prevents losing access
How to Download GIFs from Gfycat
Downloading the actual GIF file hosted on Gfycat is easy but not clearly laid out within the platform’s interface. Here are step-by-step instructions to save GIFs from Gfycat:
On Desktop
- Open the Gfycat URL of the GIF you want to save in a web browser
- Right-click on the GIF as it plays and select “Save Video As”
- This will save the GIF file to your computer as an MP4 video file
- You can rename the file and change the extension from .mp4 to .gif if desired
On Mobile
- Open the Gfycat GIF URL in your mobile browser
- Tap and hold on the GIF as it plays until a download option appears
- This will save the MP4 video file to your device which you can then rename to a GIF file
Alternatively, both on desktop and mobile, you can click on the “GIF” link below the GIF while it plays to switch the content to a pure GIF format. Then right-click or tap and hold to save the file directly as a GIF.
Tips for Downloading from Gfycat
Here are some additional tips for smoothly downloading GIFs from Gfycat:
- Make sure to click the “HD” button on the GIF control bar first for the highest quality file
- If you want only a short segment, pause the GIF at the start and endpoint before downloading
- When renaming to GIF, make sure the file extension reads “.gif” not “.gif.mp4”
- You can also copy the direct file URLs from the ‘Share Links’ option to download
- For easy bulk downloading, use a third party tool like the open source GfycatDownloader
So whether you want to create a folder of reaction GIFs or save a funny video to send to friends, downloading GIFs from Gfycat is simple. Follow these instructions to easily save any GIF hosted on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Gfycat GIFs on my iPhone?
Yes, you can download Gfycat GIFs directly on iOS devices. Just tap and hold on the GIF as it plays to bring up the save option. This will save it as an MP4 video file that you can then rename to a GIF file.
Does downloading from Gfycat reduce the GIF quality?
No, downloading GIFs from Gfycat does not affect the image quality. As long as you select the “HD” option first, the downloaded file will be the same high resolution as the hosted version.
What is the easiest way to download multiple Gfycat GIFs?
The easiest way to bulk download multiple Gfycat GIFs is to use the open source GfycatDownloader program. This handy tool lets you feed in URLs and download all corresponding GIFs with just a few clicks.
Can I download private or unlisted Gfycat GIFs?
Unfortunately you cannot directly download private or unlisted Gfycat GIFs that require specific access permissions. You will only be able to save GIFs that are publicly available to all Gfycat users.
Is it legal to download GIFs from Gfycat?
Yes, it is perfectly legal to download GIF files from Gfycat for personal use according to their terms of service. However, you should not reupload or share copyrighted GIF content without permission.
