GIFs seem to be everywhere online, with users posting them on most social media sites. However, Instagram does not support the GIF format. While there are apps that can convert GIFs to video files, such as Giphy and GifLab, one of the best ways to share GIF-like videos on Instagram is Boomerang for Instagram.
Boomerang for Instagram is available for iOS devices in the App Store and Android devices in the Google Play store.
Boomerang for Instagram (commonly known as Boomerang) is a video app for Instagram that takes bursts of photos and stitches the images into a mini video that plays forward and backward. Share these action-packed short videos to Instagram, Facebook or other online sites.
Boomerang videos must be shot within the Boomerang app. However, you don't need an Instagram account to use this tool.
Boomerang for Instagram is not to be confused with Boomerang productivity tools for Gmail, Outlook, and mobile devices.
Boomerang is simple, straightforward and easy to use. Best of all, it's free. Here's how to make a Boomerang video and post it to Instagram.
Download Boomerang for Instagram from the App Store or Google Play Store.
When Boomerang requests permission to access your camera, click OK .
When Boomerang asks for permission to access your photos, click OK .
Click the circle icon in the lower right corner of the screen to select front or rear camera.
Point the camera at what you want to capture and tap the Record button (white button). This takes a burst of 10 photos and then stitches the images together, speeding up the sequence to create a mini video.
You'll see a preview of the mini video, similar to a GIF. After the video ends, it will loop back to the beginning.
Once you create your video, you can choose to share it immediately to Instagram or Facebook. Select More to text or email Boomerang, or share via other apps.
Here's how to share Boomerang videos on Instagram.
In the finished video preview, select Instagram .
Select Stories to add Boomerang to your Instagram Story, or Feed to add it as part of an Instagram post.
When Instagram opens, you can add additional photos or videos if you'd like, then select Next .
If you wish, you can add filters and select Next .
Write a title, tag people, add a location, and choose whether you want to share on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Tumblr. When finished, click Share .
Your Boomerang is now shared on your Instagram Feed or Stories, as well as any other website you specify.
When you post a Boomerang, it automatically plays and loops in your followers' feeds. You'll see a little label below the video that says "Made with Boomerang." If someone clicks on this tab, a box will appear introducing them to the app, with a direct link to download Boomerang from Instagram.
Your Boomerang posts won't display the little camera icon like regularly posted videos. This aspect of Boomerang also makes these videos truly look like GIFs.
Instagram has other standalone apps for photos and videos, such as Layout (free for iOS and Android), which creates photo collages of up to nine images, and Hyperlapse (iOS only), which creates professional-looking Time-lapse video uses advanced stabilization technology.
