No GIF option in the comment box
Your account isn't in the rollout yet. YouTube switches it on from its side.
Fix: Update the app and check again over the next days. There's no setting to turn it on yourself.
Why can't I post GIFs on YouTube?
If you can't post GIFs on YouTube, the rollout is the first suspect: YouTube is turning GIF comments on account by account. On a computer, youtube.com has no GIF button at all. Find what you see below; each cause has its fix.
In the YouTube app
Can't comment GIFs on YouTube in the app
Other people have it, you don't
The rollout goes by account, not by phone or country.
Fix: A second Google account can have it first. On a computer you can post GIFs now with the extension.
Old app version
GIF comments only come to recent versions.
Fix: Update from the App Store or Google Play.
"YouTube turned this GIF down" or the post fails
YouTube only takes Tenor GIFs rated G (all ages).
Fix: Pick another GIF.
On a computer
Can't post GIFs on YouTube on PC
No GIF button on youtube.com
The desktop site has no GIF button yet, even on accounts with GIFs in the app.
Fix: Install the free YouTube GIF extension. It adds the button next to the emoji button.
Extension installed, no GIF button
The YouTube tab was open before the install, or the comment box isn't open yet.
Fix: Refresh the tab and click Add a comment. In Firefox, a temporary add-on is removed on restart; load it again.
"Press Comment to send the GIF"
YouTube didn't send the comment by itself.
Fix: Press YouTube's Comment button once.
"This box can't take a GIF"
You're editing a posted comment or writing a community post.
Fix: Post a new comment or a reply instead.
On any device
Can't comment at all, GIF or not
Comments are turned off
The creator closed comments, or the video is set as made for kids, where comments are always off.
Fix: Nothing to fix: GIFs only go where comments are open.
Signed out or supervised account
Signed-out viewers and supervised accounts can't comment.
Fix: Sign in with an account that can comment.
Seeing other people's GIFs
GIF comments not showing for you?
| What you see | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "GIFs are not supported on this device" | YouTube's text for an app or device that can't show GIF comments. | Update the YouTube app, or open the video on a computer. |
| "GIF unavailable" | YouTube couldn't load that GIF. | Reload. If it stays, the GIF is no longer available. |
| A small "GIF hidden · Show" chip | You turned on Hide GIFs in the GIF Comments extension. | Click Show, or switch Hide GIFs off in the extension's menu. |
Questions
Why can't I post GIFs on YouTube: FAQ
Why does YouTube reject some GIFs?
YouTube only accepts Tenor GIFs rated G, for all ages. A GIF with any other rating is turned down; pick another one.
How do I turn on GIF comments on YouTube?
There's no setting: YouTube turns them on for your account. Keep the app updated; see how to comment GIFs on YouTube for every device.
Why can my friend post GIFs and I can't?
The rollout goes account by account, so friends on the same phone model and country can get it on different days.
Will YouTube add GIF comments to the desktop site?
YouTube hasn't announced a date. Until then, a browser extension adds the button.
Get the GIF button on your computer
Free for Chrome, Edge, Brave and Firefox. Your GIFs show for everyone.