Recent reports have shown that GIFs sent by iPhone users to Android phones via Google Messages have been appearing as distorted still images with missing dots or pixels. This issue has been affecting various Android devices, including Pixel and Samsung phones, and has been observed in SMS/MMS messages sent by iPhone owners. While not all iPhone-to-Android conversations are impacted, some Android users have reported experiencing this issue while others in the same group chat have not.
The source of the problem is uncertain, as it is unlikely to be related to the Android operating system given the diverse range of devices and carriers affected. Speculation suggests that the issue may originate from the Google Messages app or potentially from iOS, leading to compression or rendering errors during the transmission of GIFs between the two platforms.
Reports of this problem have been increasing since mid-May, with some Android users noting that they have been encountering this issue for several weeks prior. It is worth mentioning that Apple released iOS 17.5 on May 13, following beta testing that began on April 2. This issue seems to be occurring ahead of Apple’s work to adopt Rich Communication Services (RCS) on the iPhone, with the anticipated release later this year. However, it remains unclear whether RCS will be incorporated in the early previews of iOS 18, expected to be unveiled at WWDC 2024 next month.
In conclusion, the compatibility issue between iPhone GIFs and Android devices on Google Messages highlights the ongoing challenges faced in cross-platform communication. As users await the resolution of this problem, it underscores the importance of seamless interoperability between different operating systems to ensure a smooth and reliable messaging experience for all users.
Article Source
https://9to5google.com/2024/05/27/google-messages-android-iphone-distorted-gifs/