Users have been experiencing issues with GIFs appearing as still images in the Google Messages app, particularly affecting those using the beta version 20251212_00_RC00 with RCS enabled. Reports have emerged on platforms like Reddit, highlighting that the problem has persisted for at least a week, although it does not impact all users.
The bug is confined to the in-chat view, where GIFs fail to animate, though they still function correctly when opened in full screen. In contrast, GIFs sent via MMS continue to display animations as expected. Devices notably affected include the Galaxy Fold 6, Pixel 9, Pixel 9a, and S24 Ultra.
While Google has acknowledged the issue in a Reddit comment, a timeline for a fix remains unclear. Users seeking immediate solutions can leave the beta program for the stable version of Google Messages or try disabling and re-enabling RCS to potentially resolve the problem.