In a significant backend update first spotted in January 2026, WhatsApp is preparing to replace Tenor with Klipy as one of its primary GIF and sticker providers.
This change, currently in development in the WhatsApp Beta for iOS (v26.2.10.70), is a proactive response to Google’s announcement that it will discontinue the Tenor API services on June 30, 2026.
Why the Switch?
The transition is primarily driven by technical necessity rather than a change in preference.
- Tenor Shutdown: Since Google acquired Tenor, it has slowly integrated it into its own ecosystem. The public API that third-party apps like WhatsApp use will officially sunset in mid-2026.
- Redundancy Strategy: WhatsApp currently splits its GIF traffic between GIPHY and Tenor. By replacing Tenor with Klipy, Meta ensures it maintains at least two independent providers.6 This prevents a “single point of failure”—if GIPHY goes down, the app can instantly fall back to Klipy.
- Market Trend: WhatsApp is not alone; other major platforms like Discord are also reportedly integrating Klipy to replace their Tenor dependencies.
What is Klipy?
Klipy is an ad-tech and content platform specializing in “Clips” (GIFs with sound), stickers, and standard animated GIFs.
- Ex-Tenor Team: Interestingly, Klipy is led by several former members of the Tenor and Google teams, making it a natural successor for apps looking for a familiar API structure.
- Programmatic Revenue: Unlike traditional GIF libraries, Klipy offers non-intrusive ad integration within the content, which provides a potential monetization path for messaging apps.
- Localization: Klipy is known for high-quality regional content, which aligns with WhatsApp’s massive growth in markets like India.
What Changes for You?
The migration is designed to be completely seamless for the average user:
- Automatic Transition: You won’t need to update settings or download anything new. The switch will happen in the background.
- New Label: The only visible change will be a small “Klipy” attribution tag on newly sent GIFs, replacing the “Tenor” logo.
- Improved Grid: Recent betas have also tested a three-column GIF keyboard (up from two), which will display 50% more content at once, making it faster to find the perfect reaction.
| Aspect | Old Setup (Pre-2026) | New Setup (Post-2026) |
| Provider 1 | GIPHY | GIPHY |
| Provider 2 | Tenor | Klipy |
| Search UI | 2-Column Grid | 3-Column Grid |
| Impact | – | No user action required |
