Doodle to looping GIF in ChatGPT: 10 steps

Draw a doodle in the ChatGPT phone app. Get a looping GIF back, then save the character so it looks the same every time.

Works on: every ChatGPT plan, free included (ChatGPT Images 2.6, released 4 Nov 2026). GIFs are still reaching some accounts.

🍄 Part 1: Doodle to looping GIF

Step 1: Open the sketch box

Type "@sket" in the message box. Tap "Sketch" above it.

ChatGPT message box with @sket typed and a Sketch option above it

Step 2: Draw a mushroom

Draw a mushroom with 2 eyes and a smile. Very basic is fine.

Tap the check mark at the bottom right when you finish.

A drawing screen with a simple mushroom with 2 eyes and a smile

Step 3: Ask for the image

With the sketch attached, type this. Then tap the up arrow at the bottom right.

Cute mushroom chatgpt pet generate

The sketch attached and the prompt typed in the ChatGPT message box

Step 4: Wait for the image

About 30 seconds later, I got a cute green mushroom pet. You do not need to type or tap anything.

ChatGPT reply with a cute green mushroom pet with a green cap and scarf

Step 5: Ask for the looping GIF

Stay in the same chat. Tap "Reply to ChatGPT" and type this. Then tap the up arrow.

Now make a looping animated gif out of it

The GIF prompt typed in the ChatGPT message box

Step 6: Wait for the animation

About 45 seconds later, my mushroom was smiling and blinking. The animation has a "1×" speed control at the bottom left.

The mushroom animation playing with a 1x speed control at the bottom left

This is the finished GIF:

The finished looping GIF of the mushroom smiling and blinking

Step 7: Download the GIF

Wait for the reply under the animation. Tap "Download the looping GIF".

The Download the looping GIF link below the animation

Step 8: Check the download

A banner near the bottom says "Download complete".

The Download complete banner with an Open button

🔖 Part 2: Save the character

Here is the catch. I first asked ChatGPT, in the same chat, to save the mushroom. It did not work. ChatGPT asked me to upload the image again.

So download the image, upload it, and ask ChatGPT to save it with a name.

Step 9: Upload the image and save it with a name

Tap "+" and upload the image you downloaded. Then ask ChatGPT to save it as a reference with a name. I named mine Mushpie.

[Save uploaded image as a reference with name Mushpie]

My message with the upload was "Here it is". ChatGPT answered "Mushpie is saved!"

ChatGPT saying Mushpie is saved as a reference image

Step 10: Call your character in any prompt

Type "@" and the name, like "@mushpie". A "Mushpie" chip with a small picture shows up above the message box. Tap it.

The Mushpie chip with a small picture above the message box after typing @mushpie

If you make content, save your character once, and every post keeps the same face.

⚠ Where it breaks

GIFs are still reaching some accounts. If you get a still picture, try again in a day or two. And OpenAI hasn't said how many GIFs each plan gets.

Only save photos of yourself, or of people who said yes.

Made one? Hit reply and show me.

Dan Rice · AI Signal · Every Tuesday

Read once. Use AI better all week.

Turn a doodle into a looping GIF and a saved character