WhatsApp Is Dropping Tenor and Moving GIF Searches to Klipy

Monday, 19 January 2026 at 03:13

According to a new report, WhatsApp might be preparing to replace Tenor with Klipy as one of its default GIF providers. This sudden change was spotted in the latest iOS beta by WABetaInfo, version 26.2.10.70, currently available through Apple’s TestFlight program. While the feature is still under development, the update confirms that the switch will arrive in a future release. The reason? Let's discuss the possible reasons in this article.

Tenor’s Shutdown Forces WhatsApp To Shift To Another Platform

Tenor recently announced it will shut down its API services on June 30, 2026. It has already stopped accepting new developer registrations. With Tenor on its way out, WhatsApp is moving quickly to avoid breaking GIF search and sharing inside the app. The messaging app is running against time to have a proper replacement before Tenor's definitive demise.

As a decent replacement, Klipy is stepping up. The platform offers a large library of GIFs, memes, and stickers, along with an official API designed for third-party integrations. In the end, the different platforms might not be noticed by general users, who will keep using the GIF search as they've been doing in the past years.

What The Change Means For Users?

WhatsApp plans to migrate existing Tenor users to Klipy automatically. As a result, no further action will be required. Once the switch happens, shared GIFs sourced from Klipy will display a Klipy label to reflect the new provider.

At the moment, WhatsApp supports GIF searches through both Giphy and Tenor. Access depends on region and account configuration, with some users only seeing one provider. When Tenor goes offline, those users will be routed to Klipy instead. Accounts already using Giphy will not be affected.

Highlights:

The change was found in the iOS beta version 26.2.10.70 via TestFlight

Tenor will shut down its API services on June 30, 2026

Klipy will automatically replace Tenor with no user action required

GIFs shared through the new provider will display a Klipy label

Giphy users will not be affected by the change

The transition is expected to finish before July 1, 2026

A Broader Industry Move

WhatsApp is not alone in making this transition. Other platforms that rely on Tenor, including Discord, have also begun moving to Klipy ahead of the June deadline. While WhatsApp has not shared an exact release date, the migration is expected to be completed before July 1, 2026, to prevent any service disruption.