GIF Downloader: Save GIFs from Twitter, Reddit and Pinterest (2026)
One tool to save GIFs from Twitter / X, Reddit and Pinterest. Here is how GIFs actually work on each platform and how to download them, on any device.
GIFs are everywhere on social media, but almost no platform gives you a clean way to save them. Worse, when you do manage to download one it often arrives as a video, which confuses people. This guide explains how GIFs really work on Twitter / X, Reddit and Pinterest, and how to save them from each, all with one set of tools.
The thing nobody tells you: GIFs are MP4 now
Here is the key fact that makes everything else make sense. Twitter, Reddit and Pinterest do not actually store GIFs as GIF files. The moment a GIF is uploaded, each platform converts it into a small, silent, looping MP4 video, because MP4 is far smaller and smoother than the old GIF format.
So when you "download a GIF" from any of them, the file you receive is that looping MP4. It plays exactly like the GIF you saw and works everywhere. Only if you specifically need a real .gif file do you have to convert it back, which we cover below.
Twitter / X GIFs
X shows GIFs in a picker and plays them silently on loop, all as MP4 under the hood. To save one, copy the tweet link and paste it into our Twitter GIF downloader. You get the looping MP4 straight away. Our full guide on saving Twitter GIFs as MP4 has more detail.
Reddit GIFs
Reddit posts that look like GIFs are also MP4 videos, often from v.redd.it. Copy the post link and paste it into our Reddit downloader. It returns the looping file, and because it is silent by nature there is no separate audio to worry about, unlike Reddit's normal videos.
Pinterest GIFs
GIF pins on Pinterest work the same way. Paste the pin link into our Pinterest downloader and it returns the original looping MP4, at the full resolution the pin was stored at.
Turning the MP4 back into a real GIF
If you genuinely need a .gif file, for example for a forum, an email signature or a site that only accepts GIFs, convert the downloaded MP4:
- Save the MP4 from the relevant tool above.
- Upload it to a free converter like ezgif.com and choose MP4 to GIF, or export a GIF from CapCut or Photopea.
- Download the animated GIF.
Remember that a true GIF is larger and shows fewer colours than the MP4, so only convert when a GIF is actually required.
Save on any device
On iPhone
Open the right tool in Safari, paste the link and Download. The MP4 saves to Files, and you can share it into chats where it loops like a GIF, or convert it to a real GIF on a computer later.
On Android
Paste the link in Chrome and the looping file lands in your Downloads folder and gallery, ready to share.
On desktop
Download the MP4, then convert to GIF if you need the older format for a website or forum.
The short version
GIFs on Twitter, Reddit and Pinterest are really looping MP4 videos, so saving one gives you an MP4 that plays just like the GIF. Use the matching SocialVids tool for each platform, and convert the MP4 to a real GIF only when something specifically requires it. Free, no login, public posts only.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a downloaded GIF come as an MP4?
Because most social platforms store GIFs as small silent MP4 videos to save bandwidth. The MP4 loops and plays exactly like the GIF you saw. To get a true animated .gif file, save the MP4 and convert it with any free tool.
Can I download GIFs from Twitter, Reddit and Pinterest with one tool?
Yes. SocialVids covers all three. Use the Twitter GIF downloader for X GIFs, the Reddit downloader for Reddit GIF posts, and the Pinterest downloader for GIF pins. Each returns the original looping file.
How do I turn a downloaded GIF back into a real GIF file?
Save the MP4 first, then upload it to a free converter such as ezgif.com and choose MP4 to GIF. You can also export a GIF from CapCut or Photopea if you want to trim it.
Is the GIF downloader free?
Yes. There is no fee, no account and no app. Paste a public post link and save the GIF or its MP4 version.
Do private posts work?
No. Only public posts are supported on every platform. Private or protected accounts cannot be fetched.