MOV to GIF: How Apple Users Can Easily Create GIFs

Using animated images, or GIFs, is an effective way to communicate, and creating them has become easier with time. As such, on some devices, one can even create a GIF from scratch using the camera's settings. However, this is not the case for already filmed videos or image sequences, as well as many other devices, such as Apple ones.

Apple has had its own system from the very beginning, so iPeople are accustomed to dealing with the issues in ways that are different from those on Windows, Android, Linux, etc. The same goes for the process of making GIF files out of MOV videos, and in this article, you will learn how to do it easily!

Why Apple users deal with MOV files

MOV is a native and optimal format for the Apple ecosystem. iPhone, iPad, and Mac cameras save video files in this format by default.

MOV files offer excellent video quality and a compact file size. It is perfectly optimized for Apple hardware (processors and chips), which ensures smooth playback and fast processing.

That said, the format itself does not pose any problems; on the contrary, it's one of the best formats for now, and MOV videos are often used in editing due to their features. However, there are problems when you need to convert files of this format into GIFs.

The difficulties in creating GIF files stem from the technological gap between modern video formats and the outdated yet still popular GIF format. Creating even a simple GIF is often treated as a "project" rather than a basic export function. For example, when exporting from the Photos app on a Mac, you're presented with various settings (size, frame rate), which makes the process a bit more complicated for a beginner expecting a single button.

Thus, the biggest inconvenience is exactly the need to convert MOV to GIF. There is no "Create GIF" button right in the main camera interface or in the quick video viewing menu.

Instead, one must look for other ways to convert MOV into GIF. Let's examine some of the most accessible options for the average user.

Built-in options for turning MOV into GIF on Apple devices

Even though it's not very easy right away, making GIFs out of MOV videos can be pretty quick.

MOV to GIF using Shortcuts

It's done using Shortcuts, a built-in app from Apple. It has ready-made "Create GIF" scripts in its Shortcuts gallery to make a GIF from a live photo or video or combine multiple photos into an animated GIF. Although it may not be immediately obvious to a beginner, the overall process is fairly simple. Just add the necessary script to your shortcuts and execute it from the Shortcuts app or using Siri.

Once you set it up, it's the fastest and easiest solution.

iMovie + Keynote on Mac

Another option might be useful if you need to edit your video or add some text to your GIF. However, you'll need to use two free default apps: iMovie and Keynote. Unfortunately, iMovie itself doesn't export to GIF with a single click. So, edit your video in iMovie by making it shorter, adding text or transitions you need, and then export the project using Share > File to save it as an MP4 or MOV. Then, import your video into a Keynote slide and choose File > Export to > Animated GIF to convert it into a GIF.

Limitations of built-in tools

So, while you can make GIFs and edit videos beforehand, there are some drawbacks as well, such as:

• Basic editing — lack of multiple tracks, simple changes, etc.
• Fewer customization options — features are similar to what most editors provide, so the result may look generic.
• When using Shortcuts, if you don't have a GIF converter script ready, setting it up might be unintuitive.

All of this forces us to resort to third-party programs, such as online MOV to GIF converters, for the best results. However, this is not a bad thing. Not all of them require downloading, and some offer nearly unlimited editing capabilities, including the ability to control video resolution and aspect ratio.

Let's look at an editor that combines these features.

The smarter option: Use Clideo Video Editor online

Clideo Video Editor is a multifunctional tool that simplifies creating any video project and expressing your creativity. It works in a browser, so you don't have to download it, and it is compatible with Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Additionally, once you start a project as a registered user, it is stored in your account, allowing you to access it from any device.

This tool is perfect for making a GIF online exactly how you imagine it. Multiple editing features, as well as the ability to export directly as a GIF, allow you to rely less on other apps and fully control the process.

What's even better, the editor is easy to use and completely beginner-friendly — just open it, and everything is available for you! Now, let's go through the process of converting to GIFs together.

Step-by-step: How to create a GIF from MOV with Clideo

1. Open Clideo Video Editor, click "Get started".
   

2. Upload MOV or any other files from your device. You can also add files from the cloud storage you use, such as Google Drive or Dropbox or use the built-in libraries with images, videos, elemnts, like GIFs, stickers, emojis, and shapes.
   

3. If you'd like to upload your GIF to fit platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, or Twitter, changing the video aspect ratio or cropping it may be needed. In "Canvas", you can select the required aspect ratio, while for the latter, you have to select the file in the timeline and use the "Crop" option.
   

4. Then trim or cut to the exact part of the video you want. You can do so by selecting the video in the timeline and dragging its sidebars or by using the "Split" option and removing unnecessary fragments. Ensure the final GIF clip doesn't exceed 30 seconds, as this is the maximum length. However, I recommend keeping it short, around 2-5 seconds, to maintain a good balance between quality and file size.
   

5. Want to add some captions or stickers? No problem! The "Elements" tab has a variety of emojis, stickers, and animated GIFs you can add. Pair them with a "Text" preset of your choice, which can also be customized, and you'll get a perfect GIF!
   

6. To save the video as a GIF, click "Export" in the top right, select "GIF", then "Continue".
   

7. After it's processed, you can download the GIF to your device or upload it directly to popular social media platforms.
   

Other MOV-to-GIF solutions to consider

Of course, these are not the only options you can go for. Depending on the device and specific needs, you may also find such tools helpful:

• Quick MOV to GIF converters. Those are the tools that quickly convert MOV to GIF format, but provide no further editing capabilities. Some of them are Clideo's MOV to GIF Converter or Convertio's File Converter.
• Professional apps. For example, in Photoshop, you can upload MOV videos as layers, edit each image as needed, and then export it. Similarly, you can use advanced video editors to work on clips. This option gives maximum control over image quality, size, and color palette. Plus, this way, you can turn MOV, AVI, and QuickTime to GIF, as well as other video types.
• Mobile apps. Using third-party apps is a great option for iPhone users, as there are a lot of different MOV to GIF converter apps available for download. Additionally, they are mostly easy to use; however, they often come with compressed quality and lack some advanced features.

As you can see, there are multiple approaches when it comes to converting MOV to GIF. And while all of them are serviceable, we believe that Clideo's Video Editor hits just right — it's pretty simple, but it also provides various editing and customizing features. And, most importantly, it's totally beginner-friendly, which is helpful for those who just want to quickly make something to share.