Our GIF Viewer Extra app requires your animations to be stored inside the app, for optimal privacy. You can populate the internal app storage with your files via the Import menu option.
The steps to get your GIF files there, are explained in this post.
Create sub-folders within DCIM on your smartphone
First, you start the Files app on your device. The icon to the left is from standard Android Oreo; it might look different on your smartphone or tablet. You might also use another file manager app.
Now locate the DCIM folder in “Internal Storage” and open it via tapping on the folder icon.
Please note: on some Android version you have to select “Explore” or “Show internal storage” first, before you can see the DCIM folder.
From the top right overflow menu (three vertical dots) select “New Folder”. Create a folder called “gifviewer” within DCIM. This is necessary because other apps also use the DCIM folder. And it helps finding your animation collection and selecting from within the app.
Finally, create two folders within your new “gifviewer” folder, called “animations” and “images”. Our app can also JPEG and PNG images, instead of or mixed with GIF and WebP animations, so it is good to prepare for this. The result on your device will look like this:
Move downloaded files to GIF-Viewer collection
Animations and images you have downloaded via the Chrome browser on your smartphone, are stored in the Downloads folder on your device. Please locate this folder via the Files app (or other file manager app). Then select your GIF and WebP files via long pressing on each icon or “Select All” from the overflow menu (three vertical dots in the top right corner):
Now you have selected the animations, again from the overflow menu select “Move To”, like this:
Finally, go back to the “animations” folder you just created (within DCIM -> gifviewer) and, with that folder opened, press the “Move” button on the bottom of the screen.
Populate GIF-Viewer collection from your PC
You can also download animations from internet on your laptop or desktop computer and then move them to your Android smartphone. This is the most convenient option for large collections. Especially if you want to organize your set of GIF or WebP files using multiple sub-folders.
There are two ways of getting the contents of the “gifviewer” folder on your PC to your smartphone: via Google Drive or via USB cable.
Upload animation files to Google Drive on your PC
On your computer, you can upload from drive.google.com or your desktop. Please select a private folder.
Drag files into Google Drive
- On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
- Open or create a folder.
- To upload files and folders, drag them into the Google Drive folder.
Use the Backup & Sync
- Install the application on your computer.
- On your computer, you’ll see a folder called “Google Drive.”
- Drag files or folders into that folder. They will upload to Drive and you will see them on drive.google.com.
Upload files with the same name
If you upload a file with the same name, Google Drive will upload the file as a revision of the file already in Google Drive.
To keep both files:
- On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
- Upload a file.
- Click “Keep as separate file”.
Move animation files from Google Drive on your Android device
As your GIF collection can be quite large, make sure your smartphone is connected to WiFi. This prevents exhausting your mobile data bundle quickly.
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Drive app.
- Select your files. One by one or via “Select All” from the menu, within a folder.
- Select “Download”.
Now go to the Files app and move the files from the Download folder into the “gifviewer” folder within DCIM, as described above.
Alternative: use a file manager app like Astro File Browser to directly access your GIF files in the Google Drive folders and move them to within DCIM.
Move files from PC to Android device by USB cable
- Unlock your Android smartphone or table.
- With a USB cable, connect your device to your computer.
- On your Android device, tap the “USB for…” notification.
- Select “Transfer Files”.
- A file transfer window will open on your computer. Use it to drag files.
- When you’re done, eject your device from Windows.
- Unplug the USB cable.
If moving animations via USB cable does not work
- Troubleshoot your computer
- Check your computer’s settings to make sure that Windows automatically detects new hardware.
- Restart your computer.
- Troubleshoot your Android device
- Update your Android version. Learn how to check and update your Android version.
- Restart your Android smartphone or tablet. On most phones, press the “Power” button for about 30 seconds, until it restarts.
- Troubleshoot your USB connections
- Try a different USB cable. Not all USB cables are able to transfer files.
- To test the USB port on your device, connect your device to a different PC or laptop.
- To test the USB port on your computer, connect a different Android device to your computer.
Now it is time to select the animations in the internal storage of the app, so you can enjoy them.
Get our unique and flexible GIF/WEBP Viewer app for Android
Click below to get this free animation player on your Android phone or tablet. Enjoy your GIF collection wherever you go!
