Google Messages Introduces Selfie GIFs for Enhanced Chat Experience

Highlights

• New Selfie GIFs feature lets users capture and share animated selfies.
• Accessible via “Suggested actions” within Google Messages.
• Selfie GIFs have a three-second duration and no editing controls.
• Automatically saved to the camera roll for easy sharing.

Google is rolling out a new feature called “Selfie GIFs” for its Messages app.

This addition might just bring a playful twist to your conversations, allowing you to capture and share short, animated selfies with your contacts.

As reported by 9to5Google, the “Selfie GIFs” feature has been rumoured since January and is now making its way to the Messages app.

Similar to the various features introduced when Rich Communication Services (RCS) reached one billion monthly active users, this new addition aims to enhance the messaging experience.

According to Google, users will be able to record a “Selfie GIF” by tapping on a prompt within the conversation.

This prompt is expected to appear among the existing “Suggested actions”, which already include options like “Attach recent photos”, “Share location”, and “Start video call”.

Once the prompt is tapped, users will be presented with a brief countdown, after which the recording will start automatically and end after three seconds.

Alternatively, users can manually initiate the recording by tapping the red button and restart the process if needed, as there are no editing controls available.

These short, three-second “Selfie GIFs” will be automatically saved to your device’s camera roll, making them easily shareable across various platformsand messaging apps.

While the feature has yet to reach a wide audience, Google has already published a support article providing detailed instructions on how to use “Selfie GIFs”.

However, as of now, the feature is not visible in either the stable or beta versions of the Google Messages app, suggesting that the rollout could be server-side or a rare instance where the stable version receives the update before the beta.

FAQs

What are Selfie GIFs in Google Messages?

Selfie GIFs are a new feature in Google Messages that allow users to create and share animated selfies directly within their conversations.

This feature enhances the interactive experience by enabling users to capture spontaneous moments and emotions in a playful, GIF-like format.

How can I create a Selfie GIF in Google Messages?

To create a Selfie GIF, users can tap on the “Selfie GIF” prompt found under the “Suggested actions” within a chat. A countdown will start, and the recording will automatically begin and stop after three seconds.

Users can also manually start the recording by tapping the red button.

Where are Selfie GIFs stored after creation?

Once created, Selfie GIFs are automatically saved to the user’s device camera roll.

This makes it convenient to access and share them across different platforms or messaging apps, not just within Google Messages.

Are there any editing options for Selfie GIFs in Google Messages?

Currently, there are no editing controls for Selfie GIFs within Google Messages.

Users looking to retake their GIFs must restart the recording process if they want to change anything, as each GIF is a straightforward, three-second animated capture.

When will the Selfie GIFs feature be widely available in Google Messages?

While the rollout of Selfie GIFs has begun, it is not yet available to all users. Google has released a support article with instructions, suggesting the feature’s launch is imminent.

The availability might vary as the update could be server-side, impacting users in different regions at different times.

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